The Spectre

Art by Alex Vasquez
Words by David Charlton

The Spectre (Earth-One)
Secret Identity: James Brendan Corrigan
Alias: The Spirit of Vengeance
Status: Avenging hero
Occupation: Former police officer, GCPD
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: The Justice Society of America (former member)
Base of Operations: Manhattan
Height: 6' (as Corrigan)
Weight: 180 lbs (as Corrigan)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Red
Powers & Abilities: As Corrigan, the power of flight and intangibility only, along with an intuitive sensitivity for the arcane, but as the Spectre, also physical invulnerability, super-strength, teleportation, telepathy, size-control and matter manipulation.

History: In December of 1938, veteran beat cop Jim Corrigan was killed in the line of duty by gangster “Gat” Benson, but his soul was not destined to rest in peace: Corrigan’s outrage and need for justice was so strong, it roused a slumbering Spirit of Vengeance. Bonded together as the Spectre, the avenging spirit embarked on a divine mission of retribution tempered with mortal compassion.

For many years he served with the Justice Society of America, and the war-time All-Star Squadron, but the longer he spent bonded with the Spectre, the more distant Corrigan felt from his humanity. As a result, the Spectre became more ruthless and more powerful, unfettered by mortal compunctions.

When the JSA disbanded in 1951, Jim Corrigan longed to lay down his burden as the Spirit of Vengeance and refused the call of the Spirit of Vengeance. Yet he was not allowed to rest. He walked the Earth, haunted by the Spectre, for a purpose that had not been revealed to him.

Recently, when Nemesis, the personification of the end of the universe was awakened by the Syrinx, the Spectre rose up to oppose her, but was cast down and has not been seen since. Shortly after, the mystical agent of the Lords of Order, Doctor Fate was attacked by an unknown enemy and also disappeared, leaving behind his magical artifacts.

The Future: Fearing an unknown but obvious menace, the ghost of Jim Corrigan has taken up the Helm of Nabu, the Amulet of Anubis and the Cloak of Nergal and has began embarked on a mission to find the Spectre and Doctor Fate, once again fighting alongside the Justice Society of America.

First appearance: (as Jim Corrigan) JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #3; (as the Spectre) WONDER WOMAN #8