Cover: Gil Kane & Bernard Sachs

Showcase #19

Mar 1959 · DC · 0.10 USD

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About this Issue

Showcase #19 (April 1959) is the third and final issue of the tryout arc that established Adam Strange as one of the Silver Age's most distinctive science-fiction heroes — a jet-packing archaeologist who travels between Earth and the distant planet Rann via a Zeta-Beam rather than relying on super-powers. The three-issue Showcase run collectively proved the character's commercial viability and led directly to his long-running lead feature in Mystery in Space beginning with issue #53, cementing DC's position at the forefront of Silver Age science fiction storytelling. This issue also marks the first time Adam Strange received his own cover logo, a publishing signal that DC was treating the character as a genuine ongoing franchise rather than a one-shot experiment.

"Challenge of the Star-Hunter!" introduces Adam Strange in a gripping tale where the alien Zakkad hurls a magnetic meteor at Rann, luring the Earthman into a trap. Written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Mike Sekowsky, with inks by Sy Barry, the story sets up a high-stakes confrontation between Strange and a cosmic threat. The cover, by Gil Kane and Bernard Sachs, captures the tension of the moment with striking visual flair.

Contains 2 stories

Challenge of the Star-Hunter!

12.33 pp · Adventure, Science Fiction

Adam StrangeAlannaSardathLeothric (first appearance, villain)

Mystery of the Mental Menace!

11.67 pp · Adventure, Science Fiction

Adam StrangeAlannaZakkad (first appearance, villain)

In "Mystery of the Mental Menace!" from Showcase #19 (1959), the alien warlord Zakkad hurls a magnetic meteor toward Rann, luring Adam Strange into a trap he didn’t see coming. With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, Adam must face a cunning foe who wants more than just power—he wants the secret behind Adam’s teleportation.

ComicBooks.com Value

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Raw (VG) $130

CGC 9.8 · 1 in census $20,341*

CGC 9.6 · 1 in census $7,882

CGC 9.4 · 1 in census $4,305

CGC 9.2 · 1 in census $1,812*

CGC 9.0 · 3 in census $1,231*

CGC 8.5 · 2 in census $1,000

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CGC 8.0 · 5 in census $844

CGC 7.5 · 8 in census $844

CGC 7.0 · 9 in census $387

CGC 6.5 · 12 in census $378

CGC 6.0 · 9 in census $323*

CGC 5.5 · 14 in census $235

CGC 5.0 · 19 in census $235

CGC 4.5 · 23 in census $202

CGC 4.0 · 22 in census $202

CGC 3.5 · 9 in census $132

CGC 3.0 · 13 in census $113*

CGC 2.5 · 2 in census $107

CGC 2.0 · 1 in census $87

CGC 1.5 · 3 in census $70*

CGC 1.0 · 1 in census $57*

CGC 0.5 · 2 in census $53*

* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade

Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

More listings for this title

VF/NM $10.99 NM $25 FN $45.98 FR $77.45 FR $95 GD $135 VG $149.95 CBCS 2 $149.99

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History

Adam Strange was the personal brainchild of editor Julius Schwartz, a veteran science-fiction fan who had previously co-founded the first SF fan magazine. Schwartz conceived the plots collaboratively with writer Gardner Fox in Schwartz's own office, then sent Fox home to script them — a working method Schwartz used across much of his Silver Age output. Murphy Anderson designed the character's costume but his cover art for Showcase #17 was rejected; Gil Kane was brought in to paint all three Showcase covers, including the #19 cover that introduced the 'Adam Strange' logo lettered by Ira Schnapp. Mike Sekowsky, who was simultaneously drawing the Justice League tryout stories for The Brave and the Bold, penciled all three interior Showcase issues, giving the young franchise a consistent visual voice before Carmine Infantino took over in Mystery in Space.

Trivia · 8 facts

Third and final appearance of Adam Strange in his Showcase tryout arc, which debuted in Showcase #17 (November 1958) and concluded here with #19 (April 1959).
First cover logo for Adam Strange, designed by letterer Ira Schnapp — a publishing milestone signaling DC's confidence in the character.
Cover penciled by Gil Kane; interior stories written by Gardner Fox and penciled by Mike Sekowsky with inks by Joe Giella (lead story) and Sy Barry (backup), per Julius Schwartz's editorial records.
Contains two complete Adam Strange stories: 'Challenge of the Star-Hunter!' (featuring the first appearance of shape-shifting villain Leothric) and 'Mystery of the Mental Menace!' (featuring the first appearance of villain Zakkad).
Alanna and her father Sardath — Adam's love interest and Rann's chief scientist — both appear, continuing to develop the recurring supporting cast established in issues #17–18.
The success of this three-issue Showcase tryout led directly to Adam Strange becoming the lead feature in Mystery in Space starting with issue #53 (August 1959), where Carmine Infantino replaced Sekowsky as penciler.
Adam Strange's core concept — an ordinary man of science teleported to an alien world and forced to defend it with his wits rather than superpowers — was partly inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs's John Carter of Mars stories.
Reprinted in multiple DC collections: The Essential Showcase 1956–1959 (1992), The Adam Strange Archives Vol. 1 (2004), Showcase Presents: Adam Strange (2007), Showcase Presents: Showcase Vol. 1 (2012), and Adam Strange: The Silver Age Omnibus (2017).