My approach to this will be a bit different from my normal review as this is the first time I'm writing one for a book- a series of books at that. Because of that, it isn't going to give a fully detailed break down nor a short synopis as I normally would. I'm going to focus a lot on thematics and highlights in the narrative because a lot happens in 62 issues. Even condensing this down there's a lot to cover and explain.
I will say that at the end of the day, reading the series is the best experience and suggest that you go out of your way to read it for yourself so you can catch all the little details and nuances you won't be able to experience from a review. Also there will be spoilers in this, kind of inevitable.
If you need a brief History lesson, The Spectre was created in 1940 by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily for National Allied Publications.
First appearing issue 52 of More Fun Comics, Jim Corrigan is a police detective that is killed by mobsters and sealed in an oil drum with cement. His soul is contacted by something simply referred to as "The voice" implied to be God (revealed to be Michael decades later) and is tasked with becoming the spirit of vengeance. He would become a member of the JSA before going dark for a very long time after WW2- both in universe and actual publication.
In the '87 there began a 31 issue run written by Doug Moench which had a psychic detective angle along side fellow DC mystic and Tarot card reader Madame Xanadu. Spectre was stripped down a lot power wise and focused on smaller threats, some not even super natural. The book was fairly successful at first but soon struggled with inconsistent focus, editorial changes and the lack of a dedicated artist. It had a lot of good ideas but simply wasn't doing well and was canceled without a real ending.
But in the 90s Spectre got a new series written by John Ostrander and it's the one I think has the very best writing, it even gave closure to the last series. It has a lot to say and does a fantastic job weaving it's narrative and yet it's not often talked about.
The big draw of the series overall is Jim himself and the journey he goes through over the course of these 62 issues. There's expansion upon what the Spectre actually is, why it was created in the first place, it delves into Corrigan's past and how it affects the present. The story arcs always reflect Corrigan himself learning and coming to an understanding about the world and himself.
Most Spectre books before this run were really just run of the mill morality tales akin to EC comics stuff: punish people in morbid and ironic ways and that's about the end of it. There's still that here-- the series overall remembers to have fun (one of my favorite fun issues (34) has a group of Hollywood big wigs that are vampires making alluring horror movies to make vampires more appealing for victims) but it's primarily a character piece that's very introspective of Jim and his flaws, inner demons and that maybe what he's been doing all these years wasn't exactly clear.
The first arc of the series shows that Jim is growing ever more distant from humanity, disillusioned by decades of constant nastiness in the world. He's so tired but can't escape his grim fate as the Spectre, even after hunting down the last of his original killers. It's a very somber tone and unlike most 90s comics has an authentic grit.
The first new support character of the series is Amy Beitermann, a social worker that initially meets Corrigan while he's paying a visit to one of his original killers currently in the hospital. Shortly there after she catches a glimpse of Corrigan turning into the Spectre during a drive by shooting. She investigates his background learning about Jim's time as a psychic detective in the 80s, meeting Madame Xanadu in the process. This works well narratively but also fills in the gap between the last Spectre series in then and now- well, 1992 now. Future issues would delve into that era more and explain certain discrepancies that I won't be getting into here.
Ultimately Jim seeks Amy out after failing to free a tormented soul. Even after taking vengeance upon their killer, the spirit is restless and Jim left even more disillusioned.
Amy serves as an audience surrogate and many details about Jim are revealed through their interactions making it easy for a new comer to get familiar as well as present new information. We get glimpses of Jim's abusive childhood at the hand of his fire and brimstone spouting father, that Jim murdered criminals with impunity long before he was the Spectre, and was pretty much just as sexist as a man from the 40s would be.
Perhaps the most disturbing was after Jim came back as the Spectre he saved his then fiance Clarice from the killers, but she was mortally wounded and Jim quite literally prevented her from passing on and forced the soul back into her body against the spirit's will. Being dead and all, Jim broke off the engagement and Clarice's later fate is unknown to him.
Our other supporting cast is Nate Kane, a friend of Amy's within the Police department. Nate is hard boiled and not too far off from Jim in terms of personality. He loves Amy but given her condition and Nate having mysophobia he knows nothing could ever come to fruition. Still, they're good friends and he cares deeply for her.
As the story goes on, a subplot unfolds of a serial killer called the Reaver only targeting women with HIV. Initially this is kept secret from the public to prevent a panic but is found out by Jim after searching Nate's soul and mind, aware he was hiding something. Amy, angered that Nate would keep such a thing and thus prevent vulnerable women from being prepared, goes to the press. Meanwhile, long time Spectre villain Azmodus has escaped from Hell and begins slowly collecting souls and gaining power.
Amy's going to the press would ultimately be her undoing, as the report caused her photo to appear across newspapers and the killer has been looking for her in particular.
As much as both Nate and Jim try to protect her, Azmodus makes his move, leaving the Reaver to chase Amy down as the two spiritual forces battle.
Madame Xanadu- who has been observing the events, is eventually able to distract Azmodus for a time with a ritual summon, but it is too late. Amy is repeatedly stabbed and lies dying. Her only wish is to not die alone as her mother did, But the Spectre's desire for vengeance is too strong and instead goes after the killer. Nate, likewise, cannot be near Amy because of his phobia. Xanadu instead takes a place beside Amy, comforting her in her last moments.
Rather than outright killing the murder, Jim instead tries to see what makes him tick and show the Reaver the true nature of his killings, the lives the women led and the circumstances they each dealt with. His attempt is cut short by Kane delivering a bullet to the Reaver's head.
In the resulting aftermath Nate begs Jim to try to do something about Amy, but not wanting to repeat the same mistake he's already made once with Clarice, Jim simply goes to say good-bye.
Amy's death, while it is form of fridging, is in all honestly very well done and does serve a purpose with real weight. It's a heartbreaking moment that Jim finally found someone to care for only for them to be taken away and that as she lay in a fitly alleyway neither Nate nor Jim were by her side. It's a senseless gratuitous butchering of someone undeserving...as it would be in real life.
That being said, it is the death of a woman meant to further the story of a more important male role and that isn't great. It's a critique I find fully legitimate and wouldn't blame anyone if they took issue with the implementation and execution.
Later issues even get slightly meta by Nate acknowledging that he and Jim were so concerned about their desires that they never considered hers.
It's ultimately a very human tragedy, dealing with selfishness, guilt and reflection. The series repeats these core aspects and keeps finding new ways to bring them back up and explore them in different ways.
The first 12 issues are a small taste of what is to come and a shocking amount is set up in small details while other loose ends remain such as Azmodus still being out there.
Issue 13 introduces a new character to the cast, Father Richard Craemer, who originally appeared in Suicide Squad#10 back in '88, you're probably familiar with the cover if nothing else.
Jim visits a church confessional hoping to find some guidance now that Amy is gone. Craemer attempts to converse with Jim and barely even mentions the war torn country of Vlatava before the Spectre is off, the Priest realizing how over his head he's gotten.
In Vlatava, Spectre engages both warring factions before ultimately just grabbing both opposing leaders: Count Vertigo and General Hafza. Each side accusing the other of genocide, The Spectre examines the very earth itself, seeking who has spilled blood.
The verdict being that no one is innocent, all is morally abhorrent and grey. The Spectre then obliterates the entire county up to it's borders. Leaving only both leaders alive. Both wanted the land and now they can, that is their punishment.
Vertigo poses the question if their country was that much worse than the rest of the world, The Spectre- Jim- pondering if there is validity in his words.
After wreaking havoc, Jim travels from Cairo to Northern Ireland, confronting various ills and even coming into conflict with a few heroes, all while contemplating if the world even deserves to continue on with so many atrocities.
Jim even considers and ultimately does merge with the villain Eclipso, his predecessor who caused the Great Flood.
A team consisting of Phantom Stranger, Etrigan the Demon, Dr. Fate and Zatanna gather to stop the eclipsed Spectre, but it is Madame Xanadu, Jewish hero Rambam and Father Craemer who put a real stop to the rampage by separating Corrigan from the Spectre in hopes of reasoning with him.
Father Craemer would continue to be be Jim's new confidant, providing support and a helping hand but also- like Amy, was willing to call Jim out on shit and oppose him when necessary. He overall was very unconventional and the Catholic Church isn't particularly fond of his teachings being more interpretive and nuanced than the church dictates. Craemer is a great character and would continue to make regular appearances throughout the book, their interactions providing some of the best content with unique philosophies and some pretty damn funny moments.
The following few issues would be partly focused on the fallout of Spectre's rampage and interference on international affairs. A little known character by the name of Professor Hazzard is tasked by the US Government and several other countries with finding a means of harming or controlling the Spectre. These issues primarily fill the reader in on Spectre's time in the JSA and establish that he can be hurt by strong holy objects like the spear of destiny- the lance that pierced Christ and which Hitler also used to hold meta humans at bay during the War.
The other half is comprised of Jim confronting an angered spiritual aspect of the earth brought about by his destructive tendencies and a really volatile situation concerning a Rabi that accidentally kills a young black boy, almost causing a riot between the Black and Jewish communities (one that the demon Azmodus fans the flames of) These show Jim solving problems in slightly more unconventional ways.
Continuing a key thematic aspect of the series "Understanding".
Later, Jim learns that a spiritual thread of the Spectre is attached to someone. Upon following it, he learns that Clarice is still alive and simply won't die because she's been connected to the Spectre all these years.
Despite her immortality, she is in horrible condition yet cannot pass. Her life after Jim left was one of sheer misery. Her parents picked a husband for her, birthed a son she felt nothing for. Her husband died in the war leaving her a rich widow. She later married a Hollywood actor, more for appearances as he was gay and later died under suspicious conditions. A series of lovers followed afterwards in Europe before she returned to America in the 60s hoping to find Jim, but an investigator only found someone that would have to be his son given the appearance.
Several attempts at suicide failed and she has been comatose for years.
Her granddaughter, Clarissa, attempts to smother her simply so her father will no longer suffer in taking care of her and be able to live his own life. Spectre will not kill her as attempt is not typically his foray. But there will be punishment and he switches the souls of Clarice into her granddaughter, giving her a second chance at life.
Two more story centric issues follow, a rather heartwarming one with Golden Age Spectre support character J. Percival "Pop the Super Cop" Poplaski- who has long since passed, and another detailing the backstory to Azmodus.
The Azmodus one in particular is fascinating. Before, the Spectre was left to his own devices reigning terror such as the plagues of Egypt. This was changed after the birth of Christ when the Spectre was forced to merge with human souls. The first of these was an Indian man named Caraka and it did not go as planned.
Caraka is seduced by the demon Sekuba, shown how the reincarnation of both his wife and child respectively. His wife Devi was meant to find him, but because of the Spectre this never came to be and she was beaten to death for being a leper. His son was abused and thrown on the street, ever more desperate to the point of murder- for which the Spectre must punish. Caraka loses control and begins rebelling against the Gods, unwilling to forgive them, the Spectre is stripped from his soul and Sekuba is forced in it's place serving a mutual punishment for both, resulting in Azmodus.
This finally brings me to the last part of this arc. Azmodus begins a campaign of horror against Jim, he systematically attacks all those Jim is attached to one way or another. Father Craemer's church is destroyed, Amy's body goes missing from the grave and Nate blames Jim, Clarissa- still trapped in her grandmother's body makes a deal with Azmodus to be young and healthy. Additionally, Azmodus is able to tap into the Spectre's power thanks to the still attached thread in Clarice's true body.
Even something as horribly grotesque as Amy's reanimated corpse appears and attacks Nate. (Which I will admit this could have gone atrociously wrong and may still be off putting to some) I'm of two minds about that sort of thing. On one hand you have to consider what an evil being would do and how far their deeds go and still portray that with gusto, on the other audience reaction is still important and this could be seen as a cheap attempt at shock. Thankfully they do have Amy's spirit appear to essentially destroy her own corpse, which is kinda awesome. Even Percival reappears to help Nate.
This all builds to a climatic confrontation of the Spectre and Azmodus, but the battle is largely a stale mate since Azmodus is tapped in the Spectre it self. Clarice offers to switch back to her body and allow the thread to be cut, she has lived an unnaturally long life and is willing to make the sacrifice to weaken Azmodus. But something unexpected occurs when her soul is freed, Clarice is the reincarnation of Caraka's wife, Devi. The devil is put into despair as Jim uses this opportunity to tear the two souls of Azmodus apart, sending Sekuba to the pits of hell. Caraka laments that his actions will cause much repercussions on his soul, but Devi says that she'll always find him, no matter how many lives it takes to reach Nirvana.
There is a bitter sweet irony in the end for Jim Corrigan. A large part of why Jim became the Spectre was to save Clarice, yet his intervention only caused her pain and in the end she was always destined for another.
With these first two arcs I believe you get a good feel of what the series is striving for and it's qualities. A great amount of tribute is paid to past characters and established lore while also expanding upon them to a much richer degree. At the same time, the series also wants to introduce new characters and take established ones in new directions- even provide endings. It's not afraid to shake things up.
Tonally here's brutal horrific things occurring, but there's always this sense of hope along with the dread.
With the third arc the series you would see more changes and taking on bigger ideas. Jim would begin working with Nate Kane as his partner on the force (Kane unwillingly being thrown into supernatural hi-jinks along the way) and there would be even more focus on societal issues.
While up to this point they would occasionally have a story focusing on bigotry, race, environmentalism, religion, etc. The late 30s issues would have deeper exploration of those subjects. This first begins with the introduction of a McGuffin called the American Talisman, a mythical object created by the founding fathers to be the embodiment of America, a literal spirit. Much like the Spectre, it is a force to be melded with a human soul and arrives in times of crisis for the country. The first host was Taylor Samuel Hawke who became the Minuteman. Later incarnations would evolve into other American icons like Brother Johnathon until settling on Uncle Sam for three generations. However, after World War Two the Talisman fragmented, unable to handle the ever growing turmoil in America. Additionally, the Talisman itself was flawed from the very beginning, it was only ever created by and for a select few- never fully representative of America as a whole.
New antagonists for this chapter are introduced, a shadowy cult like group called the National Interest, who seek the pieces of the talisman for themselves in a desire to reshape the country to their own twisted ideals.
This was written in 1996.
The entire run is a race between Jim and the Interest in gaining the pieces first.
The fragmentation of the talisman itself of course parallels with Jim's own ongoing struggles with the Spectre and his reshaping ideals. Each of the issues going forward would involve Jim in different scenarios confronting America's terrible history both past and present. From helping the angered souls of restless slaves, to the horrors of the Salem witch trials and suffragettes movement echoing to present day systemic oppression, gay rights, Native Americans having their land taken away. All of them sharing in common that a piece of the Talisman was used in some fashion to reek vengeance for these injustices.
Each story also explores an aspect of Jim or presents him with difficult situations. In the story about slaves and racism we learned that Jim had a black childhood friend named Rafe, the son of their house keep, but they were forced to leave when Jim's mother discovered the affair her husband was having with said housekeep. In the one about women's rights, Jim is presented with the scenario of a woman who killed her husband but only because he was abusive. It shows a noticeable contrast in how we saw Caraka handle his own reincarnated child being a murderer out of desperation, while Jim shows mercy to a stranger, as much he can anyway.
However, I think the one about gay rights is the most fleshed out and the one that's most interesting. The other prior stories are good (And would set up some future stories to explore) but they focus primarily on the talisman and social issues with only some character bits and parallels to Corrigan. This one does a better job integrating Jim into the story overall while also showing his faults and struggles, in particular a hang up on not really knowing how to view gay people in contrast with say Race wherein he was more forward thinking because of Rafe. With Jim's upbringing and being a divine element it's a confusing and even scary thing for him to think about. He visits Father Craemer to discuss this but is scared off when Craemer insinuates that despite being celibate since becoming a priest, he could still be technically gay from an orientation standpoint. This leads to Jim having a conversation with Michael on if heaven contains homosexuals, which results in one of the more interesting discussions had.
At first Michael isn't entirely sure of the question, as that of a sexual nature is an aspect of the physical and simply isn't applicable to the spiritual realm. This leads to a much broader question on if impure souls have ever entered heaven, Michael responding: "There are souls in Heaven that have committed every act conceivable. What Soul enters Heaven without some stain of sin upon it? It is not the individual acts that bring or ban a soul here, but the balance of one's life.
I should warn you-- it is not what humanity considers good or evil. Humanity should not presume to judge for God. They inevitably get it wrong."
After that there would be one final tale focusing on American history, this time concerning Native Americans. But in the middle of this multi issue segment, DC's Final Night event took place, which if you don't know as an event where the sun went out and was primarily meant as a redemption story for Hal Jordan as he sacrifices his life to restore the sun. Just before the event, Jim meets an old friend from his childhood only he could ever see: Lonetree, a long lived Shaman. He is sent on behalf of a counsel of spiritual chiefs warning Jim about a coming tragedy and that he will need to use his power to protect the earth, and that more hardships are to come after. Despite doubt in his own powers to maintain life rather than end it, Jim agrees and offers his power to Gaea to keep the earth alive as the sun is out.
While it is a success, the strain weakens Jim- both spiritually and emotionally. He feels the force of life in all it's glory and horror, including that which he wrecked upon Vlatava.
As one event ends there is no time wasted getting right back to the Talisman with the National Interest encroaching on Native territory in search of alien tech. Unbeknownst to them, a Shaman by the name of Tahzey Wovoka has a piece of the Talisman and is using it to summon the spirits of ancestors long passed to drive out the organization.
The Interest retaliates by using their own piece of the talisman to summon reanimated corpses of cowboys.
Yes, we have Ghost Natives vs. Zombie Cowboys.
Unfortunately the Interest sends in an attack Helicopter and manages to take out Tahzey. Spectre tries to get a handle on the chaos but he is still weakened by the ordeal during the final night event. An ensuing battle with one of the top members within the National Interest leads to Jim and the Spectre force nearly being destroyed by the Spear of Destiny, only escaping by faking his own demise.
Jim is then able to take refuge in Nate Kane as a means of recuperation and goes after the NI's base at NORAD.
Simultaneously, many people from across the country have been compelled to gather atop Mount Rushmore, a great spirit calling to them to create a new American Talisman.
Anyway, The National Interest with all the pieces of the Talisman begin the ritual to bring forth a being that would reshape the country as they see fit, instead, it summons forth a horrific almost Zombie like abomination of Uncle Sam which attacks all those near with their darkest fears including the National Interest cultists. Patriot arrives to fight the creature, urging Spectre to destroy it from within.
Jim confronts the warped and broken American spirit in a sequence very similar to Steve Darnall's Uncle Sam, which was published the same year.
Spectre is successful in destroying the deranged being, but it's haunting words still echo to chilling effect. You cannot kill madness. Madness never dies. You can only beat it down until it returns... and screams.
This was the largest arc in the series and perhaps the most weighty. Afterwards, the remaining issues would sorta dial back the grandiose while still maintaining the introspective nature. We get multiple smaller stories of Jim trying to prove an incarcerated man's innocence, Jim inspiring a new Mr. Terrific while recounting the original during his days as a JSA member. But the primary story concerns The Spectre becoming more out of control- killing people on trial on national TV and Nate finding out that Jim possibly murdered a woman named Julia Edmonds, which he begins investigating.
Back in the 30s, Jim was investigating a murder, and the primary suspect was the victim's wife, Regina Edmonds. Regina was a manipulative seductress- far from the usual street thugs Jim was used to.
He began sleeping with her while he was still actively investigating. Then Jim met her daughter, Julia, who had her own charm- an innocent young quality which he found captivating. Yet appearances are quite deceptive, Julia was just as manipulative as her mother, simply using her innocence the way her mother used sex appeal. Julia would end up killing her mother and frame Jim for it- Jim only getting off because of some intentional tampering of evidence within the department, much to his chagrin.
Once off, Julia's bodyguard came after Jim but was quickly taken care of, Jim then tracking down Julia down on Manhattan Bridge and shooting her. She fell into the water below, her body never recovered.
Jim relays this story to Craemer, pondering if it was justice or murder- Craemer counters with the same question to Jim, who is unable to view it simply, he cared for Julia but still shot her. Craemer calls bullshit on Jim complicating the situation, pointing out that Jim still slept with Julia's mother even knowing what happened and yet still claimed to care about her daughter.
The Spectre goes berserk, hurling Craemer against the wall and giving him stigmata. Jim and the Spectre force realize what they've done, harming an innocent who only spoke a truth they wished not to hear.
Elsewhere, Nate discovers that she is still very much alive but near the end of her life, currently in the care of her Grand daughter Alex. Julia confesses that she knew her mother killed her father but it would never be proven and attempted to get Jim to murder her, but never could succeed. She instead opted to drug both and strangle her mother as she slept, framing Jim.
After the fall she was pulled from the river suffering amnesia. She fell in love, got married, had two children, lost her husband in '44 during the war. Her memory slowly came back and with it a great sense of shame. She returned to New York only out of need to support her children but found the estate long gone.
She spent the last 50 years trying to make up for her mistakes, only wishing she could get forgiveness from Jim Corrigan.
Nate decides the leave the elder be given the situation. But as he's leaving, a distraught Jim arrives seeking refuge that Nate denies. Regardless, The Spectre forces his way in, much to Jim's anger at betraying and assaulting a friend. What's more, this allows Jim and the Spectre to see into Nate's mind, learning that Julia is still alive.
Jim immediately goes to confront Julia with Nate not far behind- fearing what the Spectre will do.
Julia is happy to see Jim after so long, profusely apologizing for all her crimes, asking if he can forgive her which Jim does...but the Spectre does not.
As much as Jim tries to hold back the Spectre, it is a losing battle. Nate burst into the room and as the situation turns grim, pulls his gun, planing on a mercy killing- but it's Alex with the will to pull the trigger.
In the after math, it's clear that this cannot go on. Jim and the Spectre leave to present their selves for a higher judgment, but when they arrive at the gates, they do not find Michael and the gates are open...all is empty.
The last few issues focus on Jim's search for God but are really more of Jim's experiences culminating into him confronting the last remnants of himself and his ideals. He searches various mythic and cosmic planes. Along the way seeing other points of views upon creation. This serves as a great crash course to the DC Universe's approach to religion and mythology.
Perhaps the most interesting of all this is when Jim is allowed to feel what it's like to be God. Billions of planets, galaxies, all those being birthed, all those dying, all those thriving. All the life on those planets, good, evil. It's a beautiful execution where Jim clearly undergoes more development, accepting that as horrible and twisted some of it is- life has to have that choice. The ability to choose.
It's a great contrast of how far the Spectre and Jim have separated.
Jim eventually gets a hint to look within and inevitably finds himself back at Creamer, who has already forgiven him. He explains the situation to him and Craemer suggests that Jim and The Spectre force look into each other's souls to see what lies within.
Jim's long journey finally brings him to the last step, seeing the injustice both have suffered.
The Spectre was a demon named Aztar who repented his rebellious ways, willing to accept any punishment, he was deemed to be the new vessel for God's wrath, but all that he is or ever was would be burned away with no memory of his past life. It would carry out it's duty well until the birth of Christ when suddenly things changed- The Spectre could no longer act freely carrying out vengeance. He was struck down and cast into limbo until he would be forced to merge with the souls of beings already with a chip on their shoulders.
Meanwhile the Spectre sees Jim losing his friend Rafe, not only being kicked out of the house but that Rafe blamed Jim for the incident- believing that he told about the affair. But that wasn't the end of it, Rafe went missing during a storm and his mother, Rose, returned begging for help. Jim went to a river side cave they used to play and found Rafe drowned.
During the Funeral Jim's father Jebediah said it was God's will- which triggered a change in the young Corrigan.
The two spirits both reaching the same conclusion: How can one show mercy when they were never once shown any to begin with? How can you uphold justice when you are a creation of injustice? Who demands justice of God?
After the visions, the two come face to face with a deranged cannibalistic God.
There is much debate between the three, about Morales, rules, rights, human perception of things they can't even imagine. Jim demands to know where God was with all the injustice in the world, but that was The Spectre's job. "God" takes a look at all the horrifying things Jim has done.
Jim is then shown key points in his father's life, Jebediah Corrigan, and how he was abused and warped. Jebediah's father frightened him with tales of his days in the Civil War, specifically the most horrifying sight he witnessed was when his squad killed a tribe of slave owning Natives just for the hell of it, though he only stole from them. But the horror wasn't simply the senseless slaughter, but the terrible vengeance that took place afterwards.
But worse than that was Jebediah's mother calling all Corrigan's tainted, regularly beating him and saying the only way to be good was to adhere to the bible. Jebediah grew with a twisted sense of himself, his sexual urges filling him with guilt all his life.
Seeing the history of his own father makes Jim realize just how flawed we all are and isn't angry with his father anymore. Maybe humans really are the image of God, just as broken and sad. Break'em down, flood the world, start over, but it never gets any better. We're as good as it gets.
The deranged figure slowly dissolves away into a reflection of Jim and then nothing.
Jim's journey has lead up to this moment, his experiences lead into facing this dark reflection, his past beliefs.
Jim finds himself in Craemer's home informing him of what has happened. Craemer theorizing that Jim simply saw a perception of God as he once viewed them and now that its gone, Jim needs something new.
Cramer then asks if Jim has ever had a Funeral, a rite of passage to move on so to speak. Corrigan has never had a proper burial and believes this would help put him at ease and perhaps a final rest.
The last issue is one I find simply beautiful. A simple plot of land is prepared with a blank tombstone, Corrigan's bones are removed from police evidence and the funeral scene is handled lovingly. It's at first somber, Jim offering one last apology to Craemer and Nate and lamenting that so few are in attendance....But the latter does not last long.
Everyone slowly departs and some reflect. Xanadu remiss that she may never know a peace like Corrigan, while Nate realizes how easy it would be to become someone like Jim and doesn't want to ever be that angry or lonely.
The last two remaining are Craemer and the Stranger. Richard commenting that all his life he's had doubts, wondered about his faith. Even after meeting Jim they're still there and now he has even more. What happened to Jim, where did he go? Jim may have been difficult, perhaps not even nice. But Craemer believes he was a good man trying to do right. Stranger agrees and hopes the next Spectre will at least be as good as Jim Corrigan, or there could be disastrous results.
Final Thoughts.
Okay, let's clear the negative stuff first. Of the things I take issue with its how Jim's father is handled most of all, mainly in that I don't think an abuser being abused is a good framing device for trying to make them understandable. I get the point it's trying to make, I get that it's meant to tie with Jim's mission to understand evil not just punish it, I get that it's meant to reflect Jim own issues with women like Julia. I don't believe the book is trying to justify his actions persay so much as provide reasoning while framing him as flawed and sorta sad...but it still doesn't work for me. After all what if Jebediah's mother was abused and so forth, it would never end. At the end of the day Jebediah was still an abuser and as we learn from a flashback also a rapist. His own pain is not an excuse for this actions.
I think the same point of Jim no longer being angry with his father could have been reached by having him realizing that he doesn't have to use his horrible life to fuel his hate and guilt the same way his dad did. This bit about Jim's dad is the one thing I do not think was done good story wise. I appreciate the attempt at nuance but it's a bit too basic, perhaps misguided and even a bit last minute.
On a smaller note I also have to say the resulting after math is a bit on the nose, Craemer outright telling Jim that he's pretty sure that he just faced his perception of God rather than the real deal when the story does a good enough of that not really needing to be said or explained. Although if that was truly there for the audience or Jim's character is another matter. Which, fair enough I suppose.
But lets also get into some much due praise, that art. Unlike Moench's run, this series was lucky enough to snag a regular artist in Tom Mandrake. I'm not normally one for what I would call "scratchy art" but I do not think anyone else would have been more perfect and this is one of the times I love the rough art style. It's just the right amount and the way Mandrake uses inks for highlights really enhances the intended mood.
There's a lot of grittiness to the whole thing and that's a term I really don't like using, especially for comics, but its applicable in the best sense for this instance. It captures the sorta aesthetic disenfranchised cities had in the 70's and 80's. Think old 42nd street or a Paul Verhoeven movie.
If I do have a major criticism of Mandrake's work its that his women do look very similar. It's difficult so tell the difference between Xanadu, Amy and just some random woman in a one off issue. They all pretty much have the exact same face and sometimes even the same hair styling.
To an extent this is even a problem with male characters, a few no names looking like Nate.
But the majority of his work is also delightfully creative. I've always loved how Spectre's kills could be anything, how metaphorical things could get and the series goes all out with that creating some entertaining and gorgeous art pieces.
At the end of the day he was the perfect fit and I would not want another artist on this.
In case it wasnt clear, I really love this series. It balances gravitas and morale thematics with also being fun in a sense. Sure, we have Jim confronting daker aspects of American history and culture while on a journey of self discovery... but he also fights a zombie Uncle Sam called the American Scream brought to being by nazi cultists at NORAD.
That's the kinda stuff I love.
I'll admit, not all of it works and for some people somethings are going to work more or less than others. Even I sometimes thought the balance was a bit askew in some areas and leaned a little bit much on the Grindhouse side of things, but I never felt the good was undermined and overall was handled well.
Ostrander and Mandrake's run on the Spectre is many things and frankly feels more depressingly relevant now than at the time it was written, it's gory and grim like a precode horror comic, fantastical almost silly at times with how delightfully imaginative it gets, yet it's story remains high quality and socially conscious, not holding back at all.
In any other circumstances it would either be too goofy to take seriously, too gruesome to have heart, or just plain dated. But Ostrander blends these concepts together to make something very layered and captivating. Tackling hard subjects while maintaining a strong emotional core with deep introspective ideas about the world, belief and human nature. It gives the main character flaws, growth, even provides an ending to some villains. It loves the past stories but also creates new ones and ultimately that thing very few comics have; an end. A beautiful heartfelt end at that.
Spectre hits so many high notes and does just about everything I love and want more out of comics.
I have little doubt that such a story would not be applicable to a more notable name as the editors simply would not have that status quo shaken up.
It's not perfect and there are plenty of valid criticisms, but I think it's a fantastic read and it's by far my absolute favorite comic series.
The most heartbreaking thing to me is there isn't a fully collected format for these issues. Several years ago DC released two Volumes for the series which only goes up to issue 22 of the 62 issue run and there hasn't been a single word of a vol 3 since. It is an absolute shame this isn't more popular. As far as I'm concerned it is one of the few really great comics of the 90s and should stand along side other notable socially topical works like Green Lantern/Green Arrow. I will say it's easy enough to find online complete and well... you can seek out the series however to see fit, I won't judge.
Although I will note my scans are missing several pages in issue 19, thankfully I do have the second volume by DC to fill in the blanks.
Hopefully this review sparks your interest and you'll find a new series to read this Halloween Season.
Next time, I'll be taking a look at a much more light hearted super hero that's also a melding of two souls. See you then.
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