DC Haunted #1: The Spectre

Within the haunted universe of paranormal dimensions, we are mysteriously guided by beings of destiny and divine purpose. It is not uncommon for these entities to fulfill heroic or villainous designs; that is their nature. And of all these celestial creatures, the most recognized from DC Comics is none other than The Spectre.

Read More...

The Spectre is #1 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a countdown provided by The Superheroes List, summarizing the key ghouls, ghosts, and zombies of their comics books during the haunting season. If you like comic books and superheroes, welcome; it's time to check out the list!

DC Haunted #2: Nekron

 

Amongst those spirits and entities fulfilling destiny, there is one horrid creature that continues to dwell among them, never seen, rarely felt, but unyielding and willing to destroy every living thing in existence. His name is Nekron, and is he nothing less than an elemental force of death, and therefore cannot be killed. Read More...

Nerkon is #2 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a countdown for the holiday with some rather "unsavory" characters. Spondered by The Superheroes List, if you like this kind of stuff, head on over; there's always more to check out!

DC Haunted #3: The Phantom Stranger

Proving both inhuman and supernatural during his adventures in the DC Universe, the Phantom Stranger is one of the most...well, unusually divine, yet haunting characters siding mostly with order and benevolence. What separates him from others is the burden placed on his soul (we're not sure if it is divine or self-imposed, but the Stranger always says he'll be there "when he is needed".) Read More...

Recommended: The Phantom Stranger Collectible

One of the many reasons to harbor an interest in the Phantom Stranger is his...strangeness. Yeah, that's right; he's one of those "dark" figures, like Batman, who never follow the normal rules, but instead show up in the last second unannounced.

Ironically, it's hard to find a lot of Phantom Stranger collectible items. You can pick up his comics, when available, but other than that, you'll have to do a lot of searching to get a T-Shirt or otherwise.

This is a 6 and 1/2 inch tall figure with multiple points of articulation. Adorned in his most recent, traditional garb, the Phantom Stranger wears his trademark suit, dark cloak, and black-banded Fedora., walking the dimension in search of those who need his assistance.


The Phantom Stranger is #3 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a weekly countdown provided by The Superheroes List. As October 31st looms closer, it's time to see the scary side of superheroes, don't you think? So head on over and Check out the List!

DC Haunted #4: Deadman

If you're a Halloween fan, now it really begins, starting with the haunting and morose abiding of a restless soul as it attempts to find peace. Such is the curse of Boston Brand, the one and only Deadman, who stirs between the world of the spirit and that of the mortals. Forever a superhero in the eyes of the DC Universe, he is a being incapable of interacting with the physical until he possesses a host. Read More...

Recommended Reading: Deadman Vol. 1

Boston Brand, the character ultimately fulfilling the undead shoes as Deadman, is a creation of the well-reknowned artist Neal Adams back in the 60s, who implied that the idea came from The Fugitive TV series. Basically, you take an assassination and try to find the true killer, except in this case, you're a ghost who can't affect the real world except through possession and paranormal means. (Does this sound like the movie "Ghost"? Well, now you know.) After the Deadman concept drew in fans, it became clear that plots of this nature were many, inspiring a superhero of intrigue and longevity.

Boston Brand, the character ultimately fulfilling the undead shoes as Deadman, is a creation of the well-reknowned artist Neal Adams back in the 60s, who implied that the idea came from The Fugitive TV series. Basically, you take an assassination and try to find the true killer, except in this case, you're a ghost who can't affect the real world except through possession and paranormal means. (Does this sound like the movie "Ghost"? Well, now you know.) After the Deadman concept drew in fans, it became clear that plots of this nature were many, inspiring a superhero of intrigue and longevity.

Deadman is #4 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a weekly countdown provided by The Superheroes List. If you like Halloween, now's the time to head on over. (I'll even give you candy.) So Check out the List!

DC Haunted #5: The Gentleman Ghost

Born in the 18th century, James Craddock was nothing; a lowly highwayman spurned into world of preying on weak passersby. Coming from poverty, a life of crime was all that he knew, eventually taking his spree to the United States. Well, that is until a fateful day when legendary gunslingers Nighthawk and Cinnamon killed him.

From that point, his (un) life was forever changed; the ringing words of the gypsy which prophesied his fate became unerringly true.

He looked dead; but no, his spirit could not rest and from thence he rose to become the super-villain we know as The Gentleman Ghost. Craddock, to this day, is unable to die and we've learned that the source of his "immortality" is none other than his exposure to the Nth Metal of Thanagar, which resides in the hands of Hawkman and Hawkgirl. Read More...

The Gentleman Ghost is #5 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a countdown provided by The Superheroes List. If you're enjoying spooky ghost and goblins with a touch of superheroes, Check out the List!

DC Haunted #6: Ragman

Of many of the despised and wicked souls within the DC Universe, none quite have the badge of honor that Rory Regan, also known as The Ragman (appearing first in Ragman #1, 1976), have come to bear. Born within the Jewish faith, he only learned sixteen years later of his heritage; shortly thereafter, his father was murdered in a "rag" store by drug pushers.

Rory, you see, has no evil in his heart; technically, his soul is at peace. His destiny unfolded when he returned to the store; instead of liberating it, he found a chest with a pile of rags. Instead of wearing them, they wore him. Read More...


Recommended Reading: Ragman Suit Of Souls #1 (One Shot)

In 2010, Ragman appeared in a one-shot episode that put him in a philosophical spin. Having never understood his father, he goes to a Rabbi for mentoring and understanding.

This is the collection of one issue: Ragman #1: Suit of Souls. It's brilliantly drawn with a compelling story about Rory Regan, a guy searching for understanding to his father's bizarre past. Why didn't he acknowledge his faith? Why did he leave Europe? All these things begin to make sense as Rory goes to the one place where answers can be found: within the suit!

Rory Regan, also known as Ragman, is #6 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a countdown provided by The Superheroes List. Like ghosts and ghouls with a mix of superheroes? Check out the List!

DC Haunted #7: John Constantine

Under the guise of Hellblazer, John Constantine has to be one of the most tormented souls of all DC creation. It might be surprising to say this because there's nothing truly unique about this British born man with average to low skills in sorcery and demonic summoning. The problem is, he really makes those creatures of the infernal pits go mad.

So mad, that Hell had plans for John's soul; he was, and technically still is, a doomed man. (Over the course of his adventures, he learned this through the encounters of any number of ghosts and wrestless spirits, telling him how dire his existence would be when his mortal frame expires.) Read More...


Recommended Reading: John Constantine, Hellblazer: Pandemonium

In this story, John get's tasked by British Intelligence to determine a mystical connection to events in Iraq. He then goes in and things turn quite magical and heavily bent on damnation. In the end, the main culprit is a babylonian god, looking to get some exercise from all the death and violence. What will attract readers to this book is that it adheres to a strong, angular, interesting moral compass that's drawn fans to Constantine in the past.

Released in 2010, this book turned out to be really successful because it integrated a unique character into the current event of Operation: Freedom and the Afghanistan and Iraqi wars. Putting a twist like this on it, made it ring closer to home.


John Constantine is #7 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a weekly countdown from The Superheroes List. If you like comic books, superheroes and villains, and reading orders, check out the list!

DC Haunted #8: Jason Blood

Gone, gone, the form of man...

As long as Earth's history has plagued us with accounts of ghosts, goblins, and malevolent spirits, we have also been provoked and disturbed by the possibility of possession. Such is the terrible torments of the soul when a demon enters your host, taking control of your actions and working its plots.

That is where we find the unfortunate soul of Jason Blood, one of King Author's knights. Known as an immortal solely for that reason; his life would end as a mortal should he rid himself of his curse.

But as of yet, it is not to be. When consumed by anger or rage into uttering the summoning incantation, Jason is overtaken by the son on Belial, the demon of hell known as Etrigan. Read More...


Recommended Reading: Jack Kirby's The Demon

Many of us know of the Demon from his summoning verse:

Yarva Demonicus Etrigan.
Change, change the form of man.
Free the prince forever damned.
Free the might from fleshy mire.
Boil the blood in heart of fire.
Gone, gone the form of man,
Rise the demon Etrigan!

Jason Blood, the human being bonded to the demon Etrigan, is #8 on this week's countdown The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a TSL event for the spooky season. (Hey, we all need it!) If you enjoy ghosts and goblins and like October 31st, Check out this List!

Raven, The #9 Haunted Spirit of DC Comics

One of the first things that may confuse a casual observer about Raven, the only name she had ever been given ("Rachel Roth" was just recently adopted), is her appearance. She looks like a normal, comely teenager with black hair and an affinity for dark clothes. She seems normal as well, speaking fairly calm and controlled. She even gets in relationships, breakups, and arguments you'd associate with a typical human girl.

But she's not typical; haunting is a more appropriate word. "Cursed" could also be used; it all changes once she loses control. The product of a human mother and demon father, Raven was originally raised in a dimension called Azarath and taught to gain mastery over her emotions or suffer the consequences. Her destiny is clear; control your tainted soul or you will be overwhelmed with the demonic spirit raging inside.

Ever since her first appearance in DC Comics Presents #29 (October 1980), more...


Related Recommendation: DC Universe Classics Raven Figure

Released by Mattel, this is a complete, fully-posed Raven figure and one of a huge line of the "DC Classics Universe". Some of the other products available are Kyle Rayner, Donna Troy, Martian Manhunter, Joker (All-Star Version), and The Spectre. Checking out the link here because there's numerous choices, making a great part of your collection.

Part of the DC Universe Classics Line, Raven is one of many figures that scale approximately 6" and has 23 points of articulation. It is not the White version of Raven, and the hood does not come off to reveal her face. Great collector's item and you can also follow the link to find more of the other superheroes involved in the line. You can also complete the entire Teen Titan's set.

Raven of the Titans is #9 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. If you're in a haunted mood and want to enjoy some spirit-ual, superhero fun, Check out the List!

Frankenstein: DC's #10 Haunted Spirit

If you're a cursed spirit in the DC Universe, the chances of coming out of it with good looks and bronze skin are slim. Sure, it can happen from time to time, but don't count on it. And if your soul is a nasty compilation of mixed-up parts of human flesh sewn together in some mad scientist's laboratory, just throw in the towel. That's right; give up on being called "Handsome" because your name is probably Frankenstein.

Based loosely on Mary Shelley's interpretation, DC's Frankenstein is more akin to the Boris Karloff version of the 30's; he still wears all the stitches and stands well-muscled above the heads of most humans, shown mostly in pale-grey or greenish-hued skin. And while Karloff said little to nothing, this one vocalizes his anger, telling you the problem.

The only surviving experiment of his kind, Frankenstein showed us that he was more than just brawn and accursed undead. More...


Like Frankenstein? Check this out: Flashpoint Frankenstein Creatures of Unknown #1

In the recent Flashpoint DC comic book event, Frankenstein was teamed up with inhuman and monstrous soldiers created in the 1940s to stop Hitler and his hordes of Nazis. Their story takes place in present day, when their containment units are broken, returning them to life. In this series, you'll get a taste of the horror classics with a DC superhero twist.

Velcoro, the blood-thirsty vampire; Griffith, the wildly berserk wolf-man, and more. The original Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown series was released in 2011 concurring with DC's Flashpoint event. It spans 3 issues and ties into a whole host of comic books surrounding The Flash, a world with a new reality, and the reboot of DC comics corresponding to "The New 52".

Frankenstein takes a prominent role during the Halloween season and hits #10 on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a weekly countdown sponsored by The Superheroes List. If you're a fan of superheroes or some of those classic horror elements mixed in with the battle for good or evil, check out this list!

Swamp Thing: The #11 DC Spirit of Halloween

Born of the muck and matter of the dismal swamp, most of us who read DC Comics know the dreaded Swamp Thing as a plant elemental and force of nature protecting his domain by an affiliation with The Parliament of Trees. But to the few that probe even deeper, he is also the retainer of memories and psyche of Dr. Alec Holland, a biochemist who died long ago in the swamplands.

For many years, we believed Swamp Thing actually was Holland; he first appeared as Alex Olsen in House of Secrets #92 (July 1971), escaping a bomb-explosion with deadly injuries that knocked him unconscious. When he awoke, his body had mutated, fusing and healing with the heart of the swamp, becoming a green monstrosity. It was only in the last 10 or so years that we found out the truth, that somehow the plant had absorbed everything, thinking it was once the man. More...


Item of the Day: Saga of the Swamp Thing, Book 1

Many people believe that Swamp Thing was created by Alan Moore (formerly known for his creations The Watchman and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), but that's not entirely true. While Alan Moore did do a lot of the authoring for Swamp thing, it was originally the invention of Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. Regardless, it was Moore who started the story arcs and development that made the creature extremely popular.

The first volume of Swamp Thing covers 8 issues of his original title as it was released in the 80's. (Swamp Thing vol. 1 #20-27). This is where Alan Moore took over the reigns and built the great stories surrounding the plant elemental.

Swamp Thing takes the #11 spot on The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a theme-based countdown provided by The Superheroes List. If you like Halloween and are ready to get into the spirit, check out this list!

DC's #12 Haunted: Solomon Grundy

Taken from a 19th century English nursery rhyme, DC Comics raised the ire of the first Green Lantern, Alan Scott, when he encountered their first zombie super-villain, Solomon Grundy (All-American Comics, Oct. 1944). Pale white of skin, interposed with the vegetation of the swamp as his resting place, we realized Solomon was extremely more difficult than your average foe, mainly because he can't die.

And actually, we're not really sure if he has a soul anymore. As DC Comics have evolved over the decades, it has been explained that Solomon Grundy, formerly a rich businessman named Cyrus Gold, was either murdered or took his own life. Somehow his corpse ended up in the Louisiana Bayous, infusing with the flora and taking on the aspect of a partial plant elemental. When he rises, he is virtually mindless, incapable of remembering most of his past. More...


Item of the Day: Solomon Grundy

If you're looking to get an in-depth observation of the Solomon Grundy curse in DC Comics, this paperback has it all, written by Geoff Johns (also notorious for his work with The Flash). One of the great super-villains of the 20th century, you're about to undertake an adventure that actually teams Grundy with his previous incarnation. Yes, it gets strange, but the beauty of this is that you'll also learn his origin.

In this macabre graphic novel, you'll get Solomon Grundy interacting with a multitude of characters such as Killer Croc, Bizarro, The Green Lantern, and many more. This is a huge item if you've been wanting to get a detailed origin; that's because Cyrus Gold and Solomon Grundy are both on an adventure to remove their curse. How can that be, you say? Pick it up and you'll find out!

Solomon Grundy heads up #12 as one of The Top 12 DC Spirits of Halloween, a list sponsored by TSL. That's right; Halloween is getting closer. And what's a better way to get into the spirit that by getting into the...spirits?