The Spectre is the name of several antiheroes who appear in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original version first appeared in More Fun Comics #52 (February 1940).[1] The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily although some sources attribute creator credit solely to Siegel, limiting Baily to the artist assigned to the feature.[2][3][4]
The Spectre is a divine entity representing vengeance on behalf of The Presence, considered God in the context of the Abrahamic religions. Initially a demon named Aztar, he rebelled against God but later sought forgiveness and was granted a divine role. As the Spectre, Aztar possesses immense power, making him one of the most formidable beings in the DC Universe. He is bound to a human host who assists him in judging the transgressions of humanity and other beings, determining suitable punishments. These judgments are often delivered in a harsh and creatively ironic manner.[5][6] The Spectre has had multiple hosts throughout its history. The primary host is James "Jim" Corrigan, a Gotham City detective who was killed and resurrected as the Spectre. Hal Jordan also became the Spectre to redeem himself after his actions as Parallax, becoming a force of redemption. Crispus Allen, another Gotham detective, served as a host despite his doubts about God's existence.
The character has appeared in various media adaptations. Most notable, the character appeared within the Arrowverse. One version appears on Constantine portrayed by Emmett J. Scanlan and another alternate version appears in the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, portrayed by Stephen Lobo.
Publication history
Golden Age version
The Spectre debuted in More Fun Comics #52 (February 1940) when hard-boiled cop Jim Corrigan, on his way with his fiancée Clarice to their engagement party, is murdered by thugs who stuff him into a barrel filled with cement, which is then thrown into a body of water. Corrigan's soul is about to enter Heaven when an entity referred to only as "the Voice" chooses him to become an agent of divine justice on Earth.[7]
The newly christened Spectre seeks bloody vengeance against Corrigan's murderers in grim, supernatural fashion, with his touch alone instantly reducing one of them to a skeleton. Fashioning his distinct costume, the Spectre then assumes Corrigan's former identity and profession and breaks off his relationship with Clarice. He proves so effective at his mission that when the Voice offers him the reward of eternal peace, he refuses to accept it until all evil in the world is eradicated.
The Spectre is later awarded charter membership in the first superhero team, the Justice Society of America in All Star Comics
Character overview
The Spectre is described as a godlike anti-hero character who punishes those considered evil under the purview of the DC Universe's highest authority and adaptation of God in Abrahamic religions, The Presence.[5] While functioning as a cosmic aspect responsible for bringing justice and embodies divine wrath,[5] the Spectre is often characterized as being considered harsh and unforgiving in his punishments.[5][35] Due to his nature, the Spectre also bonds with a human spirit to keep his powers in check and to temper the entity with a level of empathy.[36] The Spectre is also widely regarded among the most powerful superheroes in the fictional universe[5]
Fictional history
The being that eventually would become the Spectre was a fallen angel named Aztar who joined Lucifer Morningstar's rebellion. After being cast into Hell alongside those who betrayed God, Aztar begged for forgiveness towards the archangel Michael, who through God appoints him as God's wrath but erases all his memories and lifetime experienced as punishment.[43][5] Now the new embodiment of God's wrath and replacing Eclipso, Aztar as the Spectre would be responsible for various acts: the Spectre was the incarnation who carried out the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah detailed in the Book of Genesis circa 3000 BCE,[40][5] the Plagues of Egypt detailed in the Book of Exodus despite Nabu of the Lords of Order
Powers and abilities
An extremely powerful cosmic being, the Spectre is classified as a "judge", considered one of the most powerful magical forces within the DC Multiverse due to being directly empowered by the Presence; and, when unbound, his power is considered apocalyptic.[45] At his peak, the Spectre possess near omnipotent magical and physical abilities, making him capable of virtually any feat, controlling space, time, reality, and matter. He also has an extensive mastery over other "basic" superpowers such as energy manipulation, superhuman strength, flight and possesses extensive mental abilities capable of inducing illusions and hallucinations.[36][46][6][47] Even when depowered by the Presence, the Spectre remains widely regarded as the most powerful spirit on Earth, possessing a diverse range of abilities. These include the capacity to become intangible, animate and possess objects, intrude upon an individual's mind or soul, and draw others into his own being, where his power reigns supreme.
Other versions
- Several other incarnations of the Spectre have appeared in the past: one was an Irish woman brutalized by highway men. As the Spectre, her appearance and mannerisms were more akin to a banshee. Other human spirits' appearance implied them to be Arab and be Native American.[40]
Alternate universe versions
- An alternate universe version of Jim Corrigan / Spectre appears in Kingdom Come. This version has grown removed from humanity over time. He takes preacher Norman McCay through the events of a possible future to determine the source of an impending apocalyptic event as his "faculties are not what they once were" and he requires an outsider's perspective to properly judge events. Amidst this, McCay reminds Corrigan of his humanity and befriends him.[49]
- An alternate universe version of the Spectre named Taylor Pike appears in
Collected editions
Jim Corrigan
Crispus Allen
In other media
Television
- The Spectre makes a cameo appearance in the Smallville two-part episode "Absolute Justice" via a painting of the Justice Society of America.
- The Spectre appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Mark Hamill.[52][53] This version is a member of the Justice Society of America. In his most notable appearance in the episode "Chill of the Night!", he and the Phantom Stranger bet on whether Batman will kill Joe Chill if given the knowledge that the latter killed his parents.
Reception and awards
The character won the 1961 Alley Award as the Hero/Heroine Most Worthy of Revival and the 1964 Alley Award for Strip Most Desired for Revival.
IGN ranked the Spectre as the 70th greatest superhero of all time.[64]
References
- Alan Cowsill, Alex Irvine, Steve Korte, Matt Manning, Win Wiacek, Sven Wilson. The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe DK Publishing, 2016^
- Greenberger, Bob, "Of Ghostly Guardians and Resurrections," The Spectre (vol. 2) #1 (April 1987), DC Comics, ("letter" column).^
- Thomas, Roy, "Secrets Behind the Origins Dept.", Secret Origins (vol. 2) #15 (June 1987) DC Comics (sidebar to letter column, second page).