Editing Spectre (DC Comics character)

{{Short description|Comic book character}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox comics character
| character_name = Spectre
| image          = Spectre01.jpg
| caption        = Art by [[Alex Ross]]
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[More Fun Comics]]'' #52 (February 1940)
| creators       = [[Jerry Siegel]]<br />[[Bernard Baily]]
| alter_ego      = Aztar<br/>Various hosts
| species        = [[Ghost]]/[[Cosmic being]]<br>[[Fallen angel]] <small>(originally)</small>
| alliances      = [[Justice Society of America]]<br />[[All-Star Squadron]]<br />[[Archangel]]s<br />[[Justice League]]<br />[[Justice League Dark]]
| aliases        = The Spirit of Vengeance<br>The Spirit of Redemption<br>The Avenging Wrath of God<br>The Ghostly Guardian<br>The Man of Darkness
| powers         = *Nigh-omnipotence and nigh-omniscience level of via empowerment; virtually limitless magical power and capable of performing virtually any feat. 
*Expertise in [[aviation]], [[occultism]], intimidation, unarmed combat, and weaponry
| cat            = super
| hero           = y
| villain        = y
| module         = {{infobox comic book title | subbox = yes | italic title = no
| title          = The Spectre
| image          = Morefun52.png
| imagesize      = 100x180px
| caption        = ''More Fun Comics'' #52 (February 1940), the debut of the Spectre, cover art by [[Bernard Baily]]
| schedule       = '''vol. 1''': Bi-monthly<br /> '''vols. 2–4''': Monthly
| date           = '''vol. 1''': November/December 1967 – May/June 1969<br />'''vol. 2''': April 1987 – November 1989<br /> 1988 ''Annual''<br />'''vol. 3''': December 1992 – February 1998<br /> 1995 ''Annual''<br />'''vol. 4''': March 2001 – May 2003
| issues         = '''vol. 1''': 10<br />'''vol. 2''': 31, plus 1 ''Annual''<br />'''vol. 3''': 64 (numbered 1 – 63, includes a #0), plus 1 ''Annual''<br />'''vol. 4''': 27
| main_char_team = '''All''': The Spectre<br /> '''vols. 1–3''': [[Jim Corrigan]]<br /> '''vol. 4''': [[Hal Jordan]]<br /> '''''Infinite Crisis''''' – '''''Blackest Night''''': [[Crispus Allen]]
| ongoing        = y
| writers        = '''(vol. 1)'''<br/>[[Gardner Fox]] (1-2, 6-7), [[Neal Adams]] (4-5), [[Mike Friedrich]] (3, 9-10), [[Steve Skeates]] (9)<br/>'''(vol. 2)'''<br/>[[Doug Moench]]<br/>'''(vol. 3)'''<br/>[[John Ostrander]]<br/>'''(vol. 4)'''<br/>[[J.M. DeMatteis]]
| sort           = Spectre
| subcat         = DC Comics
}}
|partners='''Human hosts:'''<br>[[Jim Corrigan]]<br />[[Hal Jordan]]<br>[[Crispus Allen]]|IOM_alter_ego=|IOM_partners='''Human hosts:'''<br>[[Oliver Queen]] <small>([[Arrowverse]])</small>}}

'''The Spectre''' is the name of several [[antihero]]es who appear in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. The original version first appeared  in ''[[More Fun Comics]]'' #52 (February 1940).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=278}}</ref> 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.<ref>[[Bob Greenberger|Greenberger, Bob]], "Of Ghostly Guardians and Resurrections," ''The Spectre'' (vol. 2) #1 (April 1987), [[DC Comics]], ("letter" column).</ref><ref>[[Roy Thomas|Thomas, Roy]], "Secrets Behind the Origins Dept.", ''[[Secret Origins]]'' (vol. 2) #15 (June 1987) DC Comics (sidebar to letter column, second page).</ref><ref>[[Jerry Bails|Bails, Jerry]], "Foreword", ''The Golden Age Spectre Archives Volume 1'', 2003, DC Comics, p. 6.</ref>

The Spectre is a divine entity representing vengeance on behalf of [[Presence (DC Comics)|The Presence]], considered God in the context of Abrahamic religion. 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-03 |title=DC Infinite Encyclopedia: Spectre |url=https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/encyclopedia/spectre/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203005818/https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/encyclopedia/spectre/ |archive-date=2021-12-03 |access-date=2024-02-07}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Scott |first1=Melanie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xC2ADwAAQBAJ |title=DC Comics Ultimate Character Guide, New Edition |last2=DK |date=2019-03-12 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-4654-8639-4 |language=en}}</ref> The Spectre has had multiple hosts throughout its history. The primary host is '''[[Jim Corrigan|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 (TV series)|Constantine]]'' portrayed by [[Emmett J. Scanlan]]<ref name="IGN2" /> and another alternate version appears in the [[Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse)|''Crisis on Infinite Earths'']] crossover, portrayed by [[Stephen Lobo]].<ref name="Lobo" /> 

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Publication history==
===Golden Age version===
{{Main|Jim Corrigan}}
[[File:Spectre (DC Comics character circa 1940).png|thumb|upright|left|Jim Corrigan as the Spectre, as depicted in the character's debut in ''More Fun Comics'' #52 (February 1940). Art by Bernard Baily.]]
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 spirit is refused entrance into the afterlife, and is instead sent back to Earth by an entity referred to only as "the [[Presence (DC Comics)|Voice]]" to eliminate evil.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Benton |first1=Mike |title=Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History |date=1992 |publisher=Taylor Publishing Company |location=Dallas |isbn=0-87833-808-X |url=https://archive.org/details/superherocomicso0000bent/page/126 |access-date=1 April 2020 |pages=127–128}}</ref>

The Spectre seeks bloody vengeance against Corrigan's murderers in grim, supernatural fashion. One of them was turned into a skeleton upon touching him. Corrigan soon creates his signature costume, breaks off his romance with Clarice, and continues to live as Jim Corrigan, assuming the secret identity of the Spectre whenever he is needed. He eventually turns down an offer to relinquish his mission to destroy all evil.

The Spectre soon is awarded charter membership in the first superhero team, the [[Justice Society of America]] in ''[[All Star Comics]]''. Jim Corrigan is resurrected in ''More Fun'' #75 (January 1942), after which the Spectre's ghostly form enters and emerges from Jim Corrigan, functioning independently of him. During the mid-1940s, the popularity of superhero comics began to decline and the Spectre was reduced to playing the role of guardian angel to a bumbling character called "Percival Popp, the Super Cop", who first appeared in ''More Fun'' #74 (December 1941). When Corrigan enlisted in the military and departed to serve in [[World War II]], in ''More Fun'' #90 (April 1943), the Spectre became permanently invisible, becoming a secondary player in his own series. The feature's final installment was in issue #101 (February 1945) and the Spectre made his last appearance in the superhero group the Justice Society of America at roughly the same time in ''[[All Star Comics]]'' #23 (winter 1944–1945).

===Silver Age version===
In the mid-1950s and 1960s [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], [[DC Comics]] editor [[Julius Schwartz]] revived the Spectre and returned him to the role of an avenging spirit, beginning in ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #60  (February 1966). Under writer [[Gardner Fox]] and [[penciller]] [[Murphy Anderson]], his power was vastly increased, at times approaching omnipotence. A 1987 magazine retrospective on the character said this revival had been initially announced as a team-up with [[Doctor Mid-Nite]].<ref>Stewart, Alan, "The Lives and Deaths of Jim Corrigan, Alias...The Spectre: Part One of a Hero History", ''[[Amazing Heroes]]'' #112 (1 March 1987) [[Fantagraphics Books|Fantagraphics]]  p. 32.</ref> After a three-issue try-out in ''Showcase'', the Spectre appeared in the superhero-team comic ''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]'' #46–47 in that year's team-up of the titular group and its 1940s predecessors, the [[Justice Society of America]], written by Gardner Fox. A few months later, he co-starred with the Silver Age [[Flash (DC Comics character)|Flash]] in ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #72 (July 1967).

The Spectre was given his own title, premiering in December 1967, while simultaneously making another appearance in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #75 (January 1968), this time teamed with [[Batman]]. In ''The Spectre'', the creative credits varied in the 10 issues published, with introduction of a then-newcomer to comics, [[Neal Adams]], who drew issues #2–5 and wrote issues #4–5. For its final two issues, the comic became in effect a horror anthology, with the title character being little more than a narrator in several short stories. The Spectre title suffered from the same problem that vexed the Golden Age series: writing meaningful stories using a character who was virtually omnipotent.

This era's end came at the climax of a JLA/JSA crossover when [[Doctor Fate]] frees the Ghostly Guardian from a crypt in time to block a collision between Earth-One and Earth-Two caused by an alien device planted inside the android [[Red Tornado]]. The Spectre's body is torn apart when Doctor Fate creates a massive explosion to destroy the device and return the colliding Earths to their own dimensions.<ref>''Justice League of America'' #83 (September 1970)</ref>

===Bronze Age version===
[[Image:Adv432.png|''Adventure Comics''#432 (April 1974), cover art by Jim Aparo|thumb|left]]
In the 1970s, DC revived the Spectre again in the superhero anthology series ''[[Adventure Comics]]''. Editor [[Joe Orlando]] explained that this was the Earth-One version of the Spectre, though some at DC said otherwise.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #434 (July-August 1974), letter column</ref><ref>[[Cary Burkett|Burkett, Cary]], "Speculations on The Spectre", ''[[Amazing World of DC Comics]]'' #16 (December 1977) DC Comics, p. 40.</ref> Later stories explained that the Spectre had moved from [[Earth-Two]] and taken over the body of the Jim Corrigan of [[Earth-One]].<ref>''Justice League of America'' #220 (November 1983)</ref> Beginning with the 12-page "The Wrath of ... the Spectre" in issue #431 (February 1974),<ref>{{cite book|last=McAvennie|first= Michael|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|chapter= 1970s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page=159 |quote =The Spectre re-materialized in the pages of ''Adventure Comics''. This time, however, he brought along an all-out wrathful disposition, delivering punishments that not only fit the crimes, but arguably exceeded them. [Michael] Fleisher and [Jim] Aparo's run lasted only ten issues, yet it was widely regarded as some of their finest work, and the character's seminal period.}}</ref> writer [[Michael Fleisher]]<ref>Initially, in collaboration with artist Russell Carley, who provided art breakdowns for Fleisher's scripts, (see, for instance [http://www.comics.org/issue/26602/#178089 ''The House of Mystery'' #218 (October 1973): "The Abominable Ivy"]) and other Fleisher 1973–1974 stories at the Grand Comics Database</ref> and artist [[Jim Aparo]] produced 10 stories through issue #440 (July 1975)<ref name=gcd>[http://www.comics.org/credit/name/michael%20Fleisher/sort/chrono/ Michael Fleisher] at the [[Grand Comics Database]]</ref> that became controversial for what was considered gruesome, albeit bloodless, violence. Comics historian [[Les Daniels]] commented that the Spectre had

{{Blockquote|...a new lease on life after editor [[Joe Orlando]] was mugged and decided the world needed a really relentless super hero.<!--as the book spells it, two words--> The character came back with a vengeance ... and quickly became a cause of controversy. Orlando plotted the stories with writer Michael Fleisher, and they emphasized the gruesome fates of criminals who ran afoul of the Spectre. The [[Comics Code]] had recently been liberalized, but this series pushed its restrictions to the limit, often by turning evildoers into inanimate objects and then thoroughly demolishing them. Jim Aparo's art showed criminals being transformed into everything from broken glass to melting candles, but Fleisher was quick to point out that many of his most bizarre plot devices were lifted from stories published decades earlier.<ref>[[Les Daniels|Daniels, Les]]. ''DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes'' (Bullfinch Press, 1995), pp. 152–153. {{ISBN|978-0-8212-2076-4}}</ref>}}

In the series' [[Comic book letter column|letter column]], some fans indicated uneasiness with this depiction. In issue #435 (October 1974), Fleisher introduced a character that shared their concerns, a reporter named Earl Crawford. The series was cancelled with three scripts written, but not yet drawn.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sacks |first1=Jason |last2=Dallas |first2=Keith |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1970s |date=2014 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490564 |page=142}}</ref> Several years later, these remaining three chapters were penciled by Aparo, lettered and inked by others, and published in the final issue of ''Wrath of the Spectre'', a four-issue miniseries in 1988 that reprinted the 10 original Fleisher-Aparo stories in its first three issues and three newly drawn stories in the fourth one.<ref>[[Peter Sanderson|Sanderson, Peter]], "The Wrath Against...The Spectre", ''The Wrath of the Spectre'' #3 (July 1988), inside covers</ref> Fleisher had stated in 1980 that only two scripts were left undrawn.<ref>[[Michael Catron|Catron, Michael]], [https://www.tcj.com/michael-fleisher-comic-book-writer-1942-2018/ The Blessed Life of Michael Fleisher: An Interview with the Man Who Stuffed Jonah Hex], ''[[The Comics Journal]]'', June or May (first on cover, second on contents page, indicia states monthly frequency) 1980, Fantagraphics, p. 51.</ref>

The Spectre also made a guest appearance in the "[[Doctor Thirteen]]" feature in ''[[Ghosts (comics)|Ghosts]]'' #97–99 (February–April 1981) and would go on to periodic guest appearances in such other DC titles as ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'', ''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' and ''[[All-Star Squadron]]''.

A new Spectre series was planned for 1986, with [[Steve Gerber]] as writer and [[Gene Colan]] as penciler. However, Gerber missed the deadline for the first issue so that he could watch the last day of shooting on the film ''[[Howard the Duck (film)|Howard the Duck]]'' and DC cancelled the series in response.<ref>{{cite news | author = Zimmerman, Dwight Jon | date = September 1986 | title = Steve Gerber (part 2) | work = [[Comics Interview]] | issue = #38 | pages = 6–19 | publisher = [[Fictioneer Books]]}}</ref>

Among the many changes made to DC Comics' characters during the latter half of the 1980s following the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' miniseries, the Spectre fought the [[Anti-Monitor]] largely depowered. Prior to this, the Spectre is revealed to be guarding an entrance to [[Hell (DC Comics)|Hell]] in ''[[Swamp Thing]]'' (vol. 2) Annual #2 by writer [[Alan Moore]] and artists [[Stephen R. Bissette]] and [[John Totleben]]. Then, in the conclusion to Moore's "American Gothic" storyline in ''Swamp Thing'' (vol. 2) #35-50, the Spectre is defeated by the Great Evil Beast. Next, in the ''[[Last Days of the Justice Society of America]]'' special, the Spectre fails to resolve a situation and is punished by God for his failure.

In his fourth solo series and second self-titled comic, ''The Spectre'', under writer [[Doug Moench]], Corrigan became the central figure in this story of an [[occult]]-oriented [[Private investigator|private detective]] agency.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Powers |first1=Thomas |title=Ghostly Reflections: Doug Moench and the Spectre |journal=Back Issue |date=August 2018 |issue=#106 |pages=60–70 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> The Spectre's powers were significantly reduced here, with even the act of emerging from Corrigan's physical body being painful to both. This run ended with issue #31 (November 1989). A few months after this, the Spectre had a cameo in writer [[Neil Gaiman]]'s ''[[The Books of Magic]]'', a four-issue miniseries starring many DC occult characters.

===Modern Age version===
Three years after the cancellation of the Doug Moench version, the Spectre was again given his own series, this time written by writer and former [[theology]] student [[John Ostrander]], who chose to re-examine the Spectre in his aspects as both the embodied Avenging Wrath of the Murdered Dead and as a brutal 1930s policeman.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Riley |first1=Shannon E. |title=The Spectre: John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake Revisit Their Acclaimed Series |journal=Back Issue |date=August 2018 |issue=#106 |pages=71–76 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref>

Ostrander placed the Spectre in complex, morally ambiguous situations that posed certain ethical questions, one example being: What vengeance should be wrought upon a woman who killed her [[Domestic violence|abusive husband]] in his sleep? Other notable dilemmas included:

* The nation of Vlatava, the history of which was an endless cycle of [[civil war]], [[ethnic cleansing]], retribution, and blood feuds that had endured for centuries. The Spectre responded by judging the whole nation guilty, razing the land and killing the entire population except for two opposing politicians, one of them the supervillain [[Count Vertigo]].
* The pending execution of a wrongfully convicted man. His [[Capital punishment|death sentence]] was [[Pardon|commuted]] to [[life imprisonment]] after the Spectre threatened to kill the entire population of the state of [[New York (state)|New York]] in retribution, arguing that if the execution was carried out, the "people of the state of New York" would become guilty of murder in his eyes.
* A 90-year-old woman who had spent her entire life trying to atone for the single murder she had secretly committed in the 1920s. The Spectre found her on her deathbed.

Ostrander also added several new concepts into the Spectre's history: He revealed that the Spectre was meant to exist as the embodiment of the Wrath of God, and Jim Corrigan was but the latest human spirit assigned to guide him while he existed on Earth. It was also shown that the Spectre was a [[fallen angel]] named Aztar who had participated in [[Lucifer (DC Comics)|Lucifer]]'s rebellion, but then repented, and that serving as the embodiment of God's anger was its penance.

Furthermore, the Spectre was not the first embodiment of God's anger, but was the replacement for the previously minor DC character [[Eclipso]]. Ostrander chose to portray this as a distinction between the Spectre's pursuit of ''vengeance'' and Eclipso's pursuit of ''revenge''. In a historical context, Eclipso was responsible for the biblical [[Noah's Ark|Flood]], while the Spectre was the [[Plagues of Egypt|Angel of Death who slew the firstborn Egyptian children]]. The Spectre and Eclipso have battled numerous times through history, but neither entity can be fully destroyed.

The Spectre has also played a pivotal role in the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' and ''[[Zero Hour: Crisis in Time]]'' storylines. In both cases, in the final struggle against the main villain (the [[Anti-Monitor]] and [[Parallax (comics)|Parallax]], respectively), the Spectre is the only hero capable of standing against the villains directly, allowing the other heroes time to put a plan into action that would destroy the villains once and for all.

Although all of these versions are usually considered to be from the Earth-Two of the Pre-''Crisis'' [[DC Multiverse]] (the same continuity started during the Golden Age), an Earth-One version of the Spectre was shown to team up with Batman and [[Superman]] on a few occasions.

===Hal Jordan, Spirit of Redemption===
[[Image:Green Lantern Rebirth 1 coverart.jpg|thumb|left|Promotional art for ''Green Lantern: Rebirth'' #1 (December 2004) by [[Ethan Van Sciver]]]]
{{Main|Hal Jordan}}
Eventually, Corrigan's soul finds peace. He relinquishes the Spectre-Force and goes on to Heaven. The role of the Spectre is later assumed by Hal Jordan, the spirit of the former [[Green Lantern]], during the ''[[Day of Judgment (comics)|Day of Judgment]]'' storyline written by [[Geoff Johns]], when a [[fallen angel]] attempts to gain the Spectre's power. Corrigan is asked to come back, but refuses as he has found peace. The Spectre-Force chooses Jordan as his new host because Jordan seeks to atone for his universe-threatening actions as the villainous [[Parallax (comics)|Parallax]]. His next appearance was in a four-part story arc in ''Legends of the DC Universe'' #33–36. In the series ''The Spectre'' (vol. 4), written by [[J. M. DeMatteis]], Jordan bends the Spectre's mission from one of vengeance to one of redemption and makes appearances elsewhere in the [[DC Universe]], such as advising [[Superman]] during the "Emperor Joker" storyline or helping [[Wally West]] keep his family safe by erasing public knowledge of his true identity.

In the 2001 [[Green Arrow]] storyline "Quiver" written by [[Kevin Smith]] and the final [[Supergirl]] story arc, "Many Happy Returns" by [[Peter David]], revealed that the Spectre ([[Hal Jordan]]) is aware of the ''Crisis on Infinite Earths''. He is one of the few DC Universe characters with this knowledge.

After ''The Spectre'' (vol. 4) was cancelled, Jordan was forced to return, temporarily, to the Spectre's mission of vengeance, following a confrontation between the new [[Justice Society of America]] and the [[Spirit King]]. The Spirit King had managed to "resurrect" the ghosts of all those the Spectre had damned to Hell, as Hal's attempt to turn the Spectre's mission to redemption weakened his hold on the damned. The JSA attempted to keep the spirits contained, but ultimately they were only defeated when Hal 'accepted' his original mission of vengeance, concluding that his goal of redemption was only about helping himself. In ''[[Green Lantern: Rebirth]]'', written by Johns, the Spectre-Force's decision of choosing Jordan as his host was [[Retroactive continuity|retconned]] into being not because of Jordan's worthiness, but as an effort to destroy the Parallax entity, which was infecting Jordan's soul. After the Spectre-Force was able to purge Parallax from Jordan, it departed to move on to the next recipient of the spirit.

===''Day of Vengeance''===
[[Image:Dov3.jpg|right|thumb|Promotional art for ''Day of Vengeance'' #3 (Aug. 2005) featuring the Spectre fighting Captain Marvel, art by [[Walt Simonson]]]]
Without a human host, the Spectre-Force becomes unstable and goes on a vengeance-fueled rampage. Not only is it killing murderers, it also kills people for minor crimes, such as petty theft. Its lack of a human host deprives it of the ability to effectively judge the sins in their appropriate context. As detailed in the miniseries ''[[Day of Vengeance]]'', [[Jean Loring]] is transformed into the new [[Eclipso]]. She goes after the Spectre and seduces him into removing all magic in the DC Universe. Eclipso explains to the Spectre that all things that follow the rules of the physical universe follow God's law. Anything that breaks those rules thus breaks God's law and is therefore evil. Consequently, as magic breaks the rules of the physical universe, it is an originating source of tremendous evil (this line of logic makes sense to the unstable Spectre-Force). The Spectre destroys magical constructs, institutions that teach magic and magical dimensions. In one such dimension, his acts include the mass murder of over 700 battle-hardened magicians. His actions cause havoc to other very powerful magic-based characters:

* The [[Phantom Stranger]] – The Spectre turns him into a mouse.
* [[Black Adam]] – He fights the Spectre when the spirit invades his kingdom of [[Kahndaq]] and causes plagues of destruction.
* [[Hector Hall|Doctor Fate]] – He is imprisoned in a dimension inside his helmet.
* [[Madame Xanadu]] – Her eyes are destroyed (and made incapable of restoration through magic) by the Spectre to prevent her from reading her magical [[tarot cards]].
* [[Raven (DC Comics)|Raven]] – She can no longer properly control her powers.
* The wizard [[Shazam (wizard)|Shazam]] – Despite the intervention of his champion [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]], Shazam is killed by the Spectre.

The Spectre also destroys the magic-fueled kingdom of [[Atlantis (DC Comics)|Atlantis]] (the home of [[Aquaman]]) during his rampage.

In ''Day of Vengeance: Infinite Crisis Special'' #1, the Spectre kills Nabu, the last of the Great Lords of the Ninth Age and the Presence's attention is finally drawn into action. The Spectre is once again forced into a human host, stopping his mad rampage. Nabu reveals before dying that originally he and the other Lords had been working towards forming the perfect host for the Spectre, but those plans are cut short.

The text of the story is unclear on who the Great Lords were. Nabu (introduced in 1942 as the powerful entity responsible for Kent Nelson becoming [[Doctor Fate]]) was one of the [[Lords of Chaos and Order|Lords of Order]]. The Spectre had apparently killed the others, along with their counterparts the Lords of Chaos, with the exception of [[Mordru]] and [[Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld|Amethyst]] (whom he battled on Gemworld). Amethyst is among those gathered by the Phantom Stranger to aid in rebuilding the Rock of Eternity, and survives into the Tenth Age.

[[Alexander Luthor Jr.|Alexander Luthor]] also revealed that he was indirectly responsible for the Spectre's actions in ''Day of Vengeance''. Under Alexander Luthor's orders, the [[Psycho-Pirate]] gave Eclipso's diamond to Jean Loring, making her manipulate the Spectre-Force so that magic could be undone and used as fuel for Luthor's Multiverse tower.

===Crispus Allen===
{{Main|Crispus Allen}}

In ''[[Gotham Central]]'' #38, Crispus Allen is killed by a corrupt policeman coincidentally named Jim Corrigan (not the same Corrigan that was formerly associated with the Spectre). While Allen's body is in the morgue, the Spectre-Force is forced against its will to enter Crispus Allen, taking Allen as its new host.<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #4 (March 2006)</ref>

===''Blackest Night''===
During the 2009–2010  ''[[Blackest Night]]'' storyline, [[Black Hand (character)|Black Hand]] reveals that the Spectre must be moved out of the way in order for the universe to be at peace. For that, he uses the [[Black Lantern Corps|Black Lantern]] [[Pariah (character)|Pariah]], who unleashes more [[Power ring (DC Comics)#Black|black rings]] which latch themselves onto Crispus' body (who was killed by [[Eclipso]]), turning him into a Black Lantern and sealing the Spectre-Force inside its host. Changing into a giant version, the Black Lantern Spectre declares that it wants Hal Jordan back.<ref>''Blackest Night'' #2 (August 2009)</ref> The [[Phantom Stranger]] and [[Blue Devil (DC Comics)|Blue Devil]] work together in an attempt to distract the Black Lantern Spectre from seeking out Hal Jordan. The Phantom Stranger manages to temporarily free the real Spectre, only for the Black Lantern to repress it again and, discarding the Stranger and Blue Devil, leaves to carry out its intention to cast vengeance on Hal Jordan.<ref>''The Phantom Stranger'' (vol. 3) #44 (January 2010)</ref>

In Coast City, Hal Jordan encounters the Black Lantern Spectre. Using the real Spectre-Force's power to protect itself, it is rendered immune to the combination of emotional lights that usually destroy Black Lanterns. Knowing that the Spectre is afraid of Parallax, Jordan allows himself to be possessed by the fear entity once more to stop him. The powers of the Spectre also become of interest to the [[Red Lantern Corps]] leader [[Atrocitus]], as he senses the Spectre's real nature despite being influenced by the black ring: an embodiment of rage and vengeance. Atrocitus desires to harness the spirit's power for his corps and his own vengeance against the [[Guardians of the Universe]].<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #50 (January 2010)</ref> Parallax tears into the Black Lantern's body, freeing the real Spectre-Force and destroying the facsimile. Atrocitus attempts to turn the Spectre into his own rage entity but fails, the Spectre telling him that "he is God's rage" and of the true rage entity and warning him not to trifle with it. Parallax then attempts to destroy the Spectre, who uses his own fear of the entity coupled with the love Carol Ferris feels for Hal, to separate Parallax from its host. The Spectre then confronts [[Nekron]], the master of the Black Lanterns, but discovers that Nekron is without a soul and is thus immune to his powers. The Spectre is then removed from the battlefield by Nekron to parts unknown.<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #51 (February 2010)</ref>

===''Brightest Day''===
In the ''[[Brightest Day]]'' storyline, the Spectre resurfaces, again with Crispus Allen as its host, in the hills of Montana on the trail of the Butcher, the Red Lantern entity.<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #55 (August 2010)</ref> The Spectre confronts Atrocitus once again when the two locate the Butcher, who is about to possess a man whose daughter had been killed by a death row inmate. Despite the Spectre's attempts to stop it, the Butcher succeeds, killing the criminal. The Butcher then attempts to possess Atrocitus, revealing that Atrocitus had a wife and children who were killed in the Manhunters' attack. With the Spectre's help, Atrocitus wards off the Butcher and imprisons it within his power battery. The Spectre attempts to judge the man that the Butcher possessed, but Atrocitus argues that his method of judgment is flawed. The Spectre calls off his judgment and is unable to judge Atrocitus, discovering that his mission is a "holy" one, although he warns Atrocitus that this will not last forever.<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #61 (February 2011)</ref>

==="Rise of Eclipso"===
The Spectre later appears during [[James Robinson (comics)|James Robinson]]'s "Rise of Eclipso" storyline in ''[[Justice League of America]]''. In the story, [[Eclipso]] captures the angel [[Zauriel]] and begins to torture him to draw the attention of the Spectre. The plan succeeds, with the Spectre traveling to the moon to rescue Zauriel, only to be ambushed by [[Jade (comics)|Jade]] and the members of the Justice League's reserve roster, all of whom had been brainwashed by Eclipso. Once the heroes wear the Spectre down, Eclipso confronts his old nemesis and seemingly kills him by cleaving the Spectre in two. Eclipso then absorbs the Spectre's immense powers, which he then uses to shatter the moon with a single blow from his sword before attempting to use them to fulfill his sinister agenda.<ref>''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #57 (May 2011)</ref> Eclipso is defeated by the reserve Justice League.<ref>''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #59 (July 2011)</ref>

===''The New 52''===
Jim Corrigan is a [[Gotham City]] [[Detective|Police Detective]] whose fiancé is kidnapped. He is guided by the [[Phantom Stranger]] on the instructions of the Voice. He leads Corrigan to the abandoned warehouse where his girlfriend is being kept, but this turns out to be a trap. Corrigan and his girlfriend are killed by the kidnappers and he is then transformed into the Spectre, who accuses the Phantom Stranger of betraying him. As the Spectre is about to attack the Phantom Stranger, the Voice intervenes and sends the Spectre off to inflict his wrath on those who are more deserving of it.<ref>''The Phantom Stranger'' (vol. 4) #0 (November 2012)</ref>

It is revealed that the Voice chose Corrigan to be "the mirror of his desire for justice" (though Corrigan believes in vengeance) and imbued him with divine powers. Corrigan returns to work as a police detective in [[Gotham City]], but his rage causes him to practice vengeance rather than justice in his alter ego as the Spectre. The [[Phantom Stranger]] attacks Corrigan's police precinct, convinced that Corrigan was the one who kidnapped his family out of revenge.<ref>''The Phantom Stranger'' (vol. 4) #5 (April 2013)</ref>
 
After the two exchange blows physically and verbally, the Voice himself intervenes in the form of a [[Scottish Terrier]] (his sense of humor) and informs the Stranger of his mistake, setting him on the right path. The Voice also sets Corrigan straight on his duty, making him realize he is meant to exact justice, not vengeance.<ref>''Phantom Stranger'' (vol. 4) #5 (April 2013)</ref>

Batman calls in Corrigan and Batwing to investigate [[Arkham Asylum]], because he believes something supernatural is going on and was already busy trying to end a violent gang war in Gotham. Corrigan and Batwing investigate and discover a demonic [[Deacon Blackfire]] commanding an army of corrupted humans and demons in the sewers beneath the asylum.{{Citation needed|date=November 2014}}

Corrigan eventually joins Gotham's Detailed Case Task Force, a small precinct responsible for investigating supernatural events off the books.

== Character overview ==
The Spectre is described as a godlike [[Antihero|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]], [[Presence (DC Comics)|The Presence]].<ref name=":0" /> While functioning as a cosmic aspect responsible for bringing justice and embodies divine wrath,<ref name=":0" /> the Spectre is often characterized as being considered harsh and unforgiving in his punishments.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=DK |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3-sEEQAAQBAJ |title=DC Ultimate Character Guide New Edition |date=2024-11-05 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-593-96469-9 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last1=Manning |first1=Matthew K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2k0EAAAQBAJ&q=DC+comics+encyclopedia |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia New Edition |last2=Wiacek |first2=Stephen |last3=Scott |first3=Melanie |last4=Jones |first4=Nick |last5=Walker |first5=Landry Q. |date=2021-07-06 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-7440-5301-2 |language=en}}</ref> The Spectre is also widely regarded among the most powerful [[superhero]]es in the fictional universe<ref name=":0" /> and has been portrayed as surpassing other characters possessing substantial supernatural abilities such as [[Doctor Fate]],<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |title=''Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe'' #6 |publisher=[[DC Comics]] |year=1985}}</ref> the [[Shazam (wizard)|Wizard Shazam]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Willingham |first=Bill |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T8danQEACAAJ |title=Day of Vengeance |date=2005 |publisher=DC Comics |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Lords of Chaos and Order]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jxliBQAAQBAJ |title=The Spectre Vol. 2: Wrath of God |date=2014-12-23 |publisher=DC |isbn=978-1-4012-5729-3 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Spiritual hosts ===
For a time, the Spectre was considered a force of its own but after the death of [[Jesus]], the incarnation of divine wrath was ordained to be bonded to a human soul in order to temper its more violent tendencies. Many incarnations of the Spectre existed prior to Corrigan, with them embodying traits and attributes of divine beings based upon their given [[belief]]s/[[religion]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Ostrander |first=John |title=Spectre (Vol. 3) #0 |publisher=[[DC Comics]] |year=1994}}</ref>

==== Chakara ====
The first individual to be bonded to Aztar was [[Retroactive continuity|retroactively]] revealed to be a Hindu man from India named Chakara whose family was slain by the necromancer Belatine. Crying out for justice, Chakara is selected to be the first Spirit of Vengeance. Unlike the mainstream versions of the character that followed, Chakara's incarnation of the Spectre did not possess the appearance typical of Spectre incarnations but was instead given traits and attributes similar to the [[Hindus|Hindu]] god of destruction, [[Shiva]].<ref name=":6" />

==== James "Jim" Corrigan ====
{{Main|Jim Corrigan}}
Jim Corrigan is a [[detective]] of [[New York City]] who grew up with a abusive father, who was a [[Fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] [[preacher]] and taught God's wrath came to those who sinned. After enduring abuse for years, Corrigan ran away from home to enlist in the Army before eventually settling as a detective in New York. Arrogant and mean-spirited for a time, Corrigan was eventually killed by mobster Gat Benson in 1940 but found himself bonded to the Spectre (Aztar) as his soul cried for vengeance. While now undead, Corrigan returned to work while also operating as the hero Spectre, eventually becoming a founding member of the [[Justice Society of America]].<ref name=":0" />

==== Hal Jordan ====
{{Main|Hal Jordan}}A [[Green Lantern]] of the [[Green Lantern Corps]], a intergalactic law enforcement organization, Hal was recently deceased but during the Day of Judgement storyline, became the new incarnation of Spectre. Unlike other versions, he viewed himself as a Spirit of Redemption instead of Vengeance. Jordan's true purpose as the Spectre was to purge himself of the last vestiges of Parallax's evil within his soul before returning to life as Green Lantern.<ref name=":0" />

==== Crispus Allen ====
{{Main|Crispus Allen}}
Crispus Allen is a [[detective]] in [[Gotham City]] and family man who was considered one of the city's most honest cops. Originally from Metropolis, Allen transferred to Gotham and was partnered with fellow detective [[Renee Montoya]]. Allen is eventually murdered by a corrupt cop named Jim Corrigan (no known relation to the first Spectre host) but is bonded with Aztar similar to the first host. Unlike the past versions, the Spectre enforces his role as a vengeful spirit (due to events of [[Day of Vengeance]]) more hardily while Allen tries to balance him out as a heroic force but also finds himself giving into the same vengeful tendencies as Aztar despite his moralistic background.<ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last1=Pfeifer |first1=Will |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zzMknPGv9oEC |title=Crisis Aftermath - The Spectre |last2=Lapham |first2=David |last3=Chiang |first3=Cliff |last4=Rollins |first4=Prentis |date=2007 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-1380-0 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lapham |first1=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MIfUGAAACAAJ |title=The Spectre: Tales of the Unexpected |last2=Mandrake |first2=Tom |last3=Battle |first3=Eric |date=2007 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-1506-4 |language=en}}</ref>

== Fictional history ==
The being that eventually would become the Spectre was a fallen angel named Aztar who joined [[Lucifer (DC Comics)|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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ostrander |first=John |title=The Spectre (Vol. 3) #60 |publisher=[[DC Comics]] |year=1997}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> 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 [[Common Era|BCE]],<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":0" /> the [[Plagues of Egypt]] detailed in the ''[[Book of Exodus]]'' despite [[Nabu (comics)|Nabu]] of the [[Lords of Chaos and Order|Lords of Order]]'s intervention in 1263 BCE,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Ostrander |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S8ijoAEACAAJ |title=Wrath of God |date=2014 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-5150-5 |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Fall of Jericho]] described in the ''[[Book of Joshua]]''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /> However, the birth of Jesus banished the Spectre into limbo due to the former embodying forgiveness, with the embodiments of wrath and forgiveness unable to co-exist simultaneously.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /> 

However, the [[crucifixion of Jesus]] recalled the Spectre back, whom sought vengeance but is stopped by the archangel [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], who subdues the erratic divine force as God decrees the Spectre must be bound to a human spirit due to Jesus's example. The first incantation bonded was to an Indian man who was credited instead as a aspect of [[Shiva]] when he sought vengeance for necromancer Beltane killing his family.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":0" />  Many other incarnations followed, with them coming against reincarnated forms of Beltane as among the Spectre's many enemies.<ref name=":7" />

==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 [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|DC Multiverse]] due to being directly empowered by the [[Presence (DC Comics)|Presence]]; and, when unbound, his power is considered apocalyptic.<ref name=":5">Lotowycz, R. (2021). ''The DC Book of Lists: A Multiverse of Legacies, Histories, and Hierarchies''. Running Press Adult.</ref> 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.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=Who's Who in the DC Universe #8 |publisher=[[DC Comics]] |year=1991}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Various |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s0-wzQEACAAJ |title=Who's Who Omnibus Vol. 1 |date=2021-04-13 |publisher=National Geographic Books |isbn=978-1-77950-599-6 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2" />

=== Weaknesses ===
The Spectre has several weaknesses, susceptible to powerful forms of magic and requires a human host to function accordingly.<ref name=":12" /> He is also subject to specific divine laws and tasks set by the Presence<ref name=":5" /> and is vulnerable to the artifact known as the Spear of Destiny, capable of killing him due to its being bathed in the blood of Jesus Christ.<ref>''Who's Who: Update '87'' Vol 1 #5 (December 1987)</ref>

==Other versions==

* Several other incarnations of the Spectre have appeared in the past: one was an [[Irish people|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 [[Arabs|Arab]] and be [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]].<ref name=":6" />

=== Alternate universe versions ===
* An alternate universe variant of Jim Corrigan / Spectre appears in ''[[Kingdom Come (comics)|Kingdom Come]]''. This version has grown removed from humanity over time. He takes a preacher named [[Norman McCay]] through the events of a possible future to determine the source of an impending [[Apocalypse|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.<ref>''Kingdom Come'' #5</ref>
* An alternate universe variant of the Spectre named '''Taylor Pike''' appears in [[Tangent Comics]]. He is a prodigy who bombarded himself with neutrino energy and gained intangibility. Initially operating as a thief, he later joined the [[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]].
* An [[Earth-Two|Earth-2]] variant of Jim Corrigan / Spectre appears in ''JSA'' Annual #1 (2008).
* An [[Earth-Three|Earth-3]] variant of Jim Corrigan / Spectre appears in ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis|Countdown]]'' #31 (2008) as a member of the [[Crime Syndicate of America#Crime Society|Crime Society of America]].
* An alternate universe variant of the Spectre, '''[[Alfred Pennyworth]]''', appears in the ''[[DCeased]]'' tie-in ''War of the Undead Gods''.<ref>''DCeased: War of the Undead Gods'' #6</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbr.com/dceased-alfred-pennyworth-spectre-power-boost-dc/ | title=DCeased Transformed a Batman Family Member into the Most Powerful Hero in the DC Universe | date=26 February 2023 }}</ref>

==Collected editions==

===Jim Corrigan===
{| class="wikitable" width=100%
|-
!width=25%"| Title
!width=50%| Material collected
!width=5%| Pages
!width=20%| ISBN
|-
! colspan="4" |''Classic''
|-
|''The Golden Age Spectre Archives Vol. 1''
|
* ''More Fun Comics'' #52–70
|224
|{{ISBNT|1-56389-955-8}}
|-
|''The Spectre: Crimes and Punishments''
|
* ''The Spectre'' (vol. 3) #1–4
|120
|{{ISBNT|1-56389-127-1}}
|-
|''The Spectre Vol. 1: Crimes and Judgments''
|
* ''The Spectre'' (vol. 3) #1-12
|320
|{{ISBNT|978-1401247188}}
|-
|''The Spectre Vol. 2: Wrath of God''
|
* ''The Spectre'' (vol. 3) #13-22
||240
||{{ISBNT|978-1401251505}}
|-
|''The Spectre by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake Omnibus Vol. 1''
|
* ''The Spectre'' (vol. 3) #1-31, 0
* ''Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe'' #21
||800
||{{ISBNT|978-1799504887}}
(October 2025)
|-
|''Wrath of the Spectre''
|
* ''Adventure Comics'' #431–440 
* ''Wrath of the Spectre'' #1-4
|200
|{{ISBNT|1-4012-0474-0}}
|-
|''Showcase Presents: The Spectre''
|
* ''Showcase'' #60-61, 64 
* ''The Spectre'' #1–10
* ''Adventure Comics'' #431–440
* ''The Brave and the Bold'' #72, 75, 116, 180, 199
* ''Ghosts'' #97–99
* ''DC Comics Presents'' #29
|624
|{{ISBNT|978-1401234171}}
|-
|''The Spectre: The Wrath of the Spectre Omnibus''
|
* ''Showcase'' #60-61, 64
* ''The Spectre'' #1-10
* ''Adventure Comics'' #431-440
* ''The Brave and the Bold'' #72, 75, 116, 180, 199
* ''Ghosts'' #97-99
* ''DC Comics Presents'' #29
|680
|{{ISBNT|978-1779502933}}
|-
! colspan="4" |''[[The New 52]]''
|-
|''Gotham By Midnight Vol. 1: We Do Not Sleep''
|
* ''Gotham By Midnight'' #1-5
|144
|{{ISBNT|978-1401254735}}
|-
|''Gotham by Midnight Vol. 2: Rest in Peace''
|
* ''Gotham By Midnight'' #6-12, Annual #1
|208
|{{ISBNT|978-1401261245}}
|}

===Crispus Allen===
{| class="wikitable" width=100%
|-
!width=25%"| Title
!width=50%| Material collected
!width=5%| Pages
!width=20%| ISBN
|-
|''Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre''
|
* ''Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre'' #1–3 
* ''Tales of the Unexpected'' #1–3
|128
|{{ISBNT|1-4012-1506-8}}
|-
|''The Spectre: Tales of the Unexpected''
|
* ''Tales of the Unexpected'' #4–8
|128
|{{ISBNT|1-4012-1506-8}}
|-
|''Final Crisis: Revelations''
|
* ''Final Crisis: Revelations'' #1–5
|169
|{{ISBNT|978-1401223229}}
|}

==In other media==
{{See also|Jim Corrigan#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]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mania.com/brave-bold-chill-night-review_article_121793.html | title = BRAVE & THE BOLD – "Chill of the Night" Review | access-date = 2010-06-14 | last = Oesterle | first = Joe | date = 2010-04-11 | work = Mania | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100613145927/http://www.mania.com/brave-bold-chill-night-review_article_121793.html | archive-date = 2010-06-13 }}</ref><ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Spectre Voices (DC Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/DC-Universe/Spectre/ |access-date=May 25, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> 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.
* In 2011, [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] announced plans to develop a television series featuring the Spectre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/09/fox-developing-the-spectre-drama-series-based-on-the-dc-comic-book-character-171023/|title=Fox Developing 'The Spectre' Drama Series Based On The DC Comic Book Character| access-date=September 16, 2011|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=September 14, 2011|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> However, there has been no further development.
* Two incarnations of Jim Corrigan / Spectre appear in series set in the [[Arrowverse]]. One version appears in the TV series ''[[Constantine (TV series)|Constantine]]'', portrayed by [[Emmett J. Scanlan]],<ref name="IGN2">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/05/constantine-casts-jim-corrigan-aka-the-spectre|title=CONSTANTINE CASTS JIM CORRIGAN AKA THE (FUTURE) SPECTRE|last=Fowler|first=Matt|work=[[IGN]]|date=September 5, 2014|access-date=September 6, 2014}}</ref> while an alternate universe variant appears in the crossover event "[[Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse)|Crisis on Infinite Earths]]", portrayed by [[Stephen Lobo]].<ref name="Lobo">{{cite web|url=https://au.ign.com/articles/2019/10/16/crisis-on-infinite-earths-spectre-jim-corrigan-casting-crossover-cw-arrow-stephen-lobo?amp=1|title=Crisis on Infinite Earths: Stephen Lobo Cast as Jim Corrigan, AKA The Spectre|website=IGN|date=October 16, 2019}}</ref> The latter passes the Spectre's power to '''[[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]]''', who uses it to save the multiverse from the [[Anti-Monitor]] and later makes a guest appearance in ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'' episode "It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To".

===Film===
* The Jim Corrigan incarnation of the Spectre makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Under the Hood (film)|Under the Hood]]'' via a comic book cover.
* The Jim Corrigan incarnation of the Spectre appears in ''[[DC Showcase: The Spectre]]'',<ref>[http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php/news.php?action=fullnews&id=609 "DVD Report: Upcoming 'Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths'].</ref> voiced by [[Gary Cole]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Harvey, James|url=http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php/news.php?action=fullnews&showcomments=1&id=673|title=Extended Cast, Crew List For Upcoming DC Showcase "The Spectre" Animated Short|publisher=worldsfinestonline.com|date=February 15, 2010|access-date=July 11, 2010}}</ref><ref name="btva" />
* The Spectre makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[Teen Titans Go! To the Movies]]''.
* The Spectre appears in ''DC Showcase: Constantine - The House of Mystery'', voiced by [[Lou Diamond Phillips]].<ref name="btva" /> He unsuccessfully attempts to protect [[John Constantine]] from being punished for his role in remaking the universe following the events of ''[[Justice League Dark: Apokolips War]]'' by trapping him in the titular house.
* The Spectre appears in the three-part film ''[[Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', voiced again by Lou Diamond Phillips.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=James |date=2023-12-05 |title="Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part One" Release Date |url=https://dcanimated.com/2023/12/justice-league-crisis-on-infinite-earths-part-one-arrives-january-2024/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=The World's Finest |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="btva" />

===Video games===
* The Spectre appears in ''[[DC Universe Online]]'', voiced by Robert Kraft.<ref name="btva" />
* The Spectre appears in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beedle |first=Tim |date=September 19, 2013 |title=Scribblenauts Presents: The Top 13 DC Comics Characters You Don't Know, But Should |url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/09/19/scribblenauts-presents-the-top-13-dc-comics-characters-you-dont-know-but-should |access-date=September 8, 2019 |website=DC |language=en}}</ref>
* The Spectre appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/lego-dc-super-villains-1202825037/|title='Lego DC Super-Villains' Drops in October|first=Brian|last=Crecente|date=30 May 2018}}</ref> voiced by [[Corey Burton]]. He is available via the "Justice League Dark DLC Character Pack" DLC.

===Miscellaneous===
* The Spectre appears in ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' #37.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Justice League Unlimited #37 - Hard Spirits (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/justice-league-unlimited-37-hard-spirits/4000-118469/ |access-date=May 25, 2024 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref>
* The Spectre appears in the ''[[Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]'' tie-in digital comic.
* The Spectre appears in the ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us (comics)|Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'' prequel comic. Having usurped the Spectre's powers from Jim Corrigan and joined Superman's Regime, '''[[Mister Mxyzptlk]]''' disguises himself as the former and goes on a killing spree, killing [[Etrigan the Demon|Jason Blood]], [[Harvey Bullock (character)|Harvey Bullock]], and [[Deadman (character)|Deadman]] before rescuing Superman and Wonder Woman from [[Trigon (comics)|Trigon]]. Mxyzptlk subsequently battles the demon until [[Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)|Doctor Fate]] traps them both in the Void.

==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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/top/comic-book-heroes/70 | title=IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes | website=[[IGN]] | access-date=May 11, 2011 | archive-date=May 7, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507014517/http://www.ign.com/top/comic-book-heroes/70 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}


{{The Spectre}}
{{Justice League Dark}}
{{Justice Society of America}}
{{Earth-Two}}
{{GoldenAge}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spectre}}
[[Category:Characters created by Jerry Siegel]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1940]]
[[Category:Comics by Gardner Fox]]
[[Category:Comics by John Ostrander]]
[[Category:DC Comics angels]]
[[Category:DC Comics shapeshifters]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters who can teleport]] 
[[Category:DC Comics characters who use magic]]
[[Category:DC Comics immortals]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:DC Comics deities]]
[[Category:DC Comics fantasy characters]]
[[Category:DC Comics male superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics psychics]]
[[Category:DC Comics telekinetics]] 
[[Category:DC Comics telepaths]]
[[Category:DC Comics titles]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can change size]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can manipulate time]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can turn intangible]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with body or mind control abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with elemental transmutation abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional ghosts]]
[[Category:Fictional mass murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional personifications of death]]
[[Category:Golden Age superheroes]]
[[Category:Horror comics]]
[[Category:Mythology in DC Comics]]
[[Category:Merged fictional characters]]
[[Category:Undead superheroes]]