Gentleman Ghost
Gentleman Ghost | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Flash Comics #88 (October 1947) |
Created by | Robert Kanigher (writer) Joe Kubert (artist) |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | James "Jim" Craddock |
Species | Ghost |
Team affiliations | Injustice Society Secret Society of Super Villains Suicide Squad |
Notable aliases | The Ghost "Gentleman Jim" |
Abilities |
|
Gentleman Ghost (James "Jim" Craddock), introduced as Ghost, and also known as Gentleman Jim, is a supervillain appearing in works published by DC Entertainment.[1] Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Joe Kubert, the character first appeared in Flash Comics #88 (October 1947).[2]
Fictional character biography
Earth-Two
Originally on Earth-Two and just called "Ghost," this criminal fought Hawkman and Hawkgirl, claiming to be an actual ghost. Hawkman refused to believe it and the couple's investigation seemed to support that, but the original story left the truth ambiguous. In their next encounter, it was confirmed that the supposed ghost was a mundane criminal named James "Jim" Craddock who had used special tricks and gadgets to appear to be a ghost.[3][4]
Post-Crisis
In Post-Crisis continuity, James "Jim" Craddock is the son of an English
The Gentleman Ghost learns he must wander the earth until the spirit of his killer moves on to the next
Gentleman Ghost later appears as a member of the Injustice Society.[8]
During the Infinite Crisis storyline, he joins Alexander Luthor Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains. He fought Alan Scott and placed him in a coma.[9]
His origin is explored and altered in the pages of JSA #82-87 (2006). The
Gentleman Ghost is seen as one of the villains sent to retrieve the Get Out of Hell Free card from the Secret Six.
The New 52
In 2011, The New 52 rebooted the DC universe. Gentleman Ghost is still a thief and is not a ghost like his Earth-Two counterpart.[11]
In his first appearance, he steals the Mortis Orb, which has the power to resurrect the dead.[12] Hawkman deduces that Gentleman Ghost is Jim Craddock (whom he knew in a previous incarnation) and Gentleman Ghost confirms it. Gentleman Ghost tells Hawkman he invited him here because the Nth metal drew him to the Mortis Orb. Then, he tells Hawkman he will take him to the orb, but Hawkman refuses, so Gentleman Ghost sends more apparitions after him, Hawkman escapes the building. Then, Gentleman Ghost appears again, saying that the warlock's spell rendered the orb inert years ago, but the Nth Metal broke the spell causing the orb to regain its power. Gentleman Ghost takes the orb, saying that he will use it to transcend death and resurrect himself through the life-force of every man, woman, and child nearby. Then, he disappears and the zombies attacking Hawkman fall apart.[13] Gentleman Ghost begins fully harnessing the orb’s power, creating a portal from which Julius Gates comes out. Gates (demanding the orb) grabs Craddock, while Hawkman takes the orb from him. The portal vanishes with Craddock and Gates inside causing them both to disappear along with the apparitions and zombies. Hawkman drops the Mortis Orb somewhere in Antarctica to keep it from falling into the wrong hands again.[14]
Sometime later, Craddock takes up residence in a New Hampshire town called Duskhaven which he operates out of while he robs wealthy socialites of Gotham. When the Midnight Shift apprehends him, he reveals his new origins. Some time in the past, Craddock was a philanderer and drew the ire of a witch, who cursed him, granting his abilities but forcing him to commit criminal acts. He believed the curse would be lifted once the witch died. It was not and he found himself to be immortal and having been turned into a ghost.[11]
DC Rebirth
In 2016, DC Comics implemented another relaunch of its books called DC Rebirth which restored its continuity to a form much as it was prior to "The New 52". When Sebastian Faust goes rogue and steals all the magical items in A.R.G.U.S. storage, Amanda Waller recruits Craddock into a special magic-based team of criminals known as Suicide Squad Black.[15]
Powers, abilities, and equipment
The Gentleman Ghost of Earth-Two relies on various devices to simulate ghost-like capabilities for his criminal capers.
Jim Craddock is a true ghost with paranormal powers far beyond that of ordinary ghosts. In fact, the appearance of his head had been shown as a floating hat, monocle, and transparent face. As the Gentleman Ghost, he can become intangible to pass effortlessly through solid materials, turn completely invisible, and float on air. He has the ability to teleport distances in a few rooms, across states, or other dimensions. Craddock could summon spectral weapons or detect psionic energies. Due to Craddock's ghostly form, he can also freeze people with his touch. Around the time of his prophesied revival, he gains spirit magic. This allows him to call upon and control the undead when his mother's ghost spent centuries recruiting them for her son. The Gentleman Ghost possesses expertise in equestrianism and marksmanship. However, his weaknesses are royal nobles, virgins, and Nth Metal.[16]
Other versions
Earth-3
A heroic Gentleman Ghost from
Huntress' Future
In a possible future seen in "The New Golden Age", Gentleman Ghost appears as a member of Huntress' makeshift Justice Society of America until he is revived and killed by Per Degaton.[18]
Kingdom Come
An alternate reality version of the Gentleman Ghost makes a minor appearance in Kingdom Come #2.[19]
In other media
Television
- Gentleman Ghost, referred to as "Gentleman Jim Craddock", appears in The All-New Super Friends Hour episode "Ghost", voiced by Alan Oppenheimer.
- Gentleman Ghost was briefly considered to appear in The New Batman Adventures. When asked about his potential use in the series, producer and writer Paul Dini stated his appearance would be "likely, if we do more contemporary Batman stories". Ultimately, Gentleman Ghost never appeared in the series.[20]
- Gentleman Ghost appears in Justice League Unlimited, voiced by Robin Atkin Downes.[21] This version is a member of Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society.
- Gentleman Ghost appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Greg Ellis.[21] This version attempted to obtain immortality by offering ten souls to the demon Asteroth in exchange, which he ultimately succeeds in, only to be cursed by Asteroth, bound to the Earthly plane, and defeated by Sherlock Holmes, Etrigan the Demon, and a time-displaced Batman. Subsequently, Craddock is hanged for his crimes, rises from his grave as Gentleman Ghost, and swears revenge on Batman.
- Additionally, an unnamed, heroic, alternate reality version of Gentleman Ghost appears in the episode "Deep Cover for Batman!".
- Gentleman Ghost appears in the DC Super Hero Girls two-part episode "#NightmareInGotham", voiced by Fred Tatasciore.
Film
- Gentleman Ghost appears in The Lego Batman Movie.[22]
- Gentleman Ghost appears in Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans, voiced by "Weird Al" Yankovic.[23][21]
Video games
- Gentleman Ghost appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame, voiced again by Greg Ellis.
- Gentleman Ghost appears in DC Universe Online, voiced by Jason Brenizer.
- Gentleman Ghost appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[24]
- Gentleman Ghost appears as a playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced again by Robin Atkin Downes.
See also
References
- ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
- ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
- ^ Flash Comics #88. DC Comics.
- ^ Flash Comics #104. DC Comics.
- ISBN 9780345501066.
- ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- OCLC 213309017
- ^ JSA Classified #5-7. DC Comics.
- ^ Villains United #1. DC Comics.
- ^ JSA #82-87. DC Comics.
- ^ a b Gotham By Midnight Annual #1. DC Comics.
- ^ Savage Hawkman #5. DC Comics.
- ^ The Savage Hawkman #6. DC Comics.
- ^ The Savage Hawkman #7. DC Comics.
- ^ Suicide Squad Black Files #1-6. DC Comics.
- ^ Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Vol 1 #9 (November 1985)
- ^ Hawkman (vol. 6) #18. DC Comics.
- ^ Justice Society of America Vol. 4 #6. DC Comics.
- ^ Kingdom Come #2. DC Comics.
- ^ "The World's Finest - Backstage - Unused Villains Database - Gentleman Ghost". www.worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
- ^ a b c "Gentleman Ghost Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 8, 2024. 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 opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ "LEGO Batman Movie TV Spot with Gentleman Ghost, Calendar Man, and Condiment King". DC. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
- ^ Zachary, Brandon (July 25, 2019). "REVIEW: Teen Titans Go Vs. Teen Titans Is A Goofy Love Letter To The Team". CBR. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
External links
- Gentleman Ghost at Comic Vine