Crispus Allen
| Crispus Allen | |
|---|---|
| Notable aliases | Spectre |
Crispus Allen is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe, mostly commonly depicted in association with Batman.
The character appeared in the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises and was played by Rob Brown, Andrew Stewart-Jones in the first season of the television series Gotham and by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith in Justice League, part of DC Extended Universe.
Publication history
Greg Rucka and Shawn Martinbrough created the character in Detective Comics #742 (March 2000). Allen later went on to be one of the main characters in Gotham Central. After he was killed by a corrupt police technician named Jim Corrigan (who has no connection with the Jim Corrigan who was a host of the Spectre), Allen became the third host for the Spectre.
Fictional character biography
GCPD MCU
Originally from
Jim Corrigan
One night Allen and his partner, Renee Montoya, spotted gang members apparently preparing for some sort of violent action. Allen requested backup, but the two opted not to wait for the backup to arrive. Following the gang into a deserted building, the detectives found several murdered men as well as two large gang members. Allen tailed the suspects while Montoya scouted the rest of the building. The Black Spider suddenly appeared at the crime scene, firing upon Montoya. The first few shots hit Montoya, but she was protected by her bulletproof vest. Black Spider then aimed at her head, but Allen shot and killed the villain before he could pull the trigger.
The Internal Affairs department subsequently questioned Allen regarding the incident, confiscated his gun, and put him on temporary leave until his story could be corroborated. Complications arose when a crime scene technician named Jim Corrigan stole important evidence — a bullet of Black Spider's that struck a rival gang member — from the scene, putting Allen's career in jeopardy.
The Internal Affairs investigator in charge of Allen's case told Montoya about the missing bullet and suggested Corrigan's connection to its disappearance. Montoya found Corrigan and forced him to reveal the location of the bullet. After it was recovered, Allen was allowed to return to active duty. However, Montoya's actions destroyed an ongoing Internal Affairs investigation into Corrigan's misconduct. This left Allen angry and disappointed in her because he had secretly started his own investigation of Corrigan, which Montoya's actions also compromised. Allen continued his investigation (which took place during the events of Infinite Crisis), but Corrigan was tipped off. Corrigan found Allen's informant and beat him to death. Corrigan let Allen find the informant's body before shooting Allen in the back and killing him (in Gotham Central #38). By tampering with the evidence at the crime scene, Corrigan managed to evade prosecution. Allen's unavenged death pushed Montoya to an emotional breakdown, and she subsequently decided to quit the force in disgust at the system.
The Spectre
While Allen's body is in the morgue, the
In the first issue of Infinite Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre, "Dead Again Part One", the Spectre confronts Crispus Allen. He has come to realize that he needs a host to humanize him in order to know what his mission really means. Allen refuses his request, wanting no further involvement in the Spectre's vigilante work.
The Spectre then leaves Allen for a year (presumably about the same as the year depicted in 52). During that time, Allen sees that he cannot help or communicate with his family, still shattered because Jim Corrigan will not be called to account for Allen's murder. In addition, while the former detective can solve crimes — and even learns Batman's secret identity is Bruce Wayne — he cannot bring the culprits to justice.[2] This includes Corrigan, his own killer.
After a year of being unseen and powerless, Allen receives another visit from the Spectre. This time he finally takes the offer, and becomes the Spectre's human host. Their first mission together is to bring ghoulishly appropriate justice to a child molester. While troubled, Allen is satisfied by the knowledge that "he [the Spectre] needs me more than I need him".[2]
Allen works with the Spectre for a while, choosing whom to visit punishment upon. The Spectre informs Allen there is one more punishment to be enacted before the two can fully bond. Allen sees his killer stumbling out of a bar and revels in the chance to gain revenge. Malcolm Allen, his son, appears and despite Crispus' attempts, kills Corrigan. Crispus then passes judgement on his own son, who dies peacefully in his arms. He thinks this means his son is doomed to hell, but the Spectre explains they just judge, not condemn. Crispus then chooses to fully bond with the Spectre.[3]
In Countdown To Mystery, Allen and the Spectre, accompanied by the spirit of a criminal they killed, set out to foil Eclipso's plans to corrupt superheroes. During the climactic battle between Spectre and Eclipso, Allen realizes that, if the Spectre kills his opponent, it will result in him going down a path of destruction. Allen appeals to Bruce Gordon, who is able to take control of Eclipso.
Final Crisis
The Spectre is one of the main characters in the miniseries
The Spectre and The Radiant are later seen in the final issue of Final Crisis, having been defeated by
A short time later, Crispus assists the immortal adventurer known as Xombi in tracking down the vengeful spirit of a serial killer who is murdering vampires and other supernatural creatures.[9]
Blackest Night
Other versions
Batman: Year 100
In the alternate future limited series
In other media
Television
Crispus Allen appears in Gotham, portrayed by Andrew Stewart-Jones. This version accused Jim Gordon for Oswald Cobblepot's murder, until the latter shows up alive. Subsequently, Allen becomes Gordon's ally after he and Renee Montoya save him from Victor Zsasz.[13][14]
Film
- Crispus Allen appears in Batman: Gotham Knight, voiced by Gary Dourdan. This version is the partner of Detective Anna Ramirez, and originally despised Batman's vigilantism before changing his views after the Dark Knight saves him and Ramirez from a gang war.
- Crispus Allen appears in The Dark Knight Rises, portrayed by Rob Brown.
- Crispus Allen appears in Justice League, portrayed by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.
References
- ^ Infinite Crisis #4 (March 2006)
- ^ a b Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre #1 (July 2006)
- ^ Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre #3 (September 2006)
- ^ Final Crisis: Revelations #1 (October 2008)
- ^ Final Crisis: Revelations #2 (November 2008)
- ^ Final Crisis: Revelations #4 (January 2009)
- ^ Final Crisis: Revelations #5 (February 2009)
- ^ Final Crisis #7 (March 2009)
- ^ The Brave and the Bold (vol. 3) #26 (October 2009)
- ^ Blackest Night #2 (October 2009)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #50 (January 2010)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #51 (February 2010)
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 12, 2014). "Fox's 'Gotham' Promotes Three to Series Regular". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (August 2, 2015). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Big Bang, Arrow, Bates, Sleepy, Castle, Twin Peaks, UnREAL, Gotham, Dome and More". TVLine. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
Matt Mitovich did some digging around and learned that, as suspected, neither Victoria Cartagena nor Andrew Stewart-Jones (AKA Montoya and Allen) will return as regulars
External links
- DC Comics.com listing of Gotham Central vol. 2 Archived 2006-06-30 at the Wayback Machine
