Jim Corrigan

There are two other DC characters named Jim Corrigan. For the GCPD Corrigan go here.

Origin

The first Jim Corrigan was born to a man named Jebediah Corrigan. He was a Christian evangelist who beat Jim to show him between right in

wrong. He wanted to show Jim the severity of justice, wrath and vengeance. Jim eventually became a detective who was murdered by a crime boss named Gat Benson . It is his death that would eventually turn him into the Spectre . Because of the nature of his death, when his soul was to pass into heaven, it was intercepted by the archangel Michael and decided his soul would become the human host of God's spirit of vengeance, The Spectre.

New 52

Jim Corrigan's origin remains similar as he still a Police Detective murdered by gangsters, except in this version the events of his murder are partially manipulated by The Phantom Stranger, though not of his own volition .

Creation

Jim Corrigan first appeared in More Fun Comics #52, Febuary 1940. He was created by Jerry Siegel

and Bernard Baily.

Character Evolution

Golden Age

After Jim Corrigan becomes the Spectre, he uses his power to hunt his murderers and gangsters of the 1940's. He has a fiancée, Clarice Winston, with whom he later separates. During the decline of the popularity of superheroes, The Spectre became a side-kick of sorts to Percival Popp, Super Cop. During this time Jim Corrigan's body was resurrected from the bottom of the ocean, allowing Corrigan to exist separately. He was also a member of The Justice Society of America

Silver Age

The Spectre was revived after 20 years in Showcase #60 and Jim Corrigan continued to sometimes act separately from The Spectre, becoming a Detective in Gateway City taking on police issues while The Spectre battled more cosmic threats.

Bronze Age

During the Spectre's Adventure Comics run in the 1970's, Jim Corrigan returned to being a ghost and conjoined entity with The Spectre. His ghost however was now a lieutenant in the NYPD. He became involved with a gangster's daughter named Gwen Sterling, and was granted a return to his body by God in order to be with her. Unfortunately for Corrigan, he was yet again killed and became The Spectre once more. One story in 1970's placed Jim Corrigan as a detective in the Gotham City PD.

Modern Age

Post-Crisis, Jim Corrigan remained the host for The Spectre, but the two would again be able to seperate for a short period of time. Corrigan became a detective again, this time a private one and had an office along side Madame Xanadu whom became took on an active role in his life. She conjured up a woman named Kim Liang to act as a secretary and guide for Corrigan.

In John Ostrander's 1990's series, Corrigan leaves the agency and starts on a journey of self discovery and learning, which brings him into conflict with The Spectre's methods. During this run much more of Corrigan's back story is revealed. At the series end, Corrigan is finally freed of The Spectre and is allowed to pass on to the afterlife.

The New 52

In The New 52 Jim Corrigan is once again the Spectre. The Phantom Stranger is directed to assist Corrigan on meeting his girlfriend. However, men of the mob shoot Detective Corrigan. Then becomes the Spectre after his death and blames the death of himself on the Phantom Stranger.

Powers and Abilities

As the Spectre, Jim is one of the most powerful beings in the DC universe. He has the ability to fly at about any speed, read minds, teleport, inhabit and animate objects, create illusions, projecting hideous fears into the heart and souls and souls of his many victims. He can grow to any size, become invisible, create a mist, mess with any kinds of magic.

Personal Details

• Occupation: Police Detective, Spirit of Vengeance
• Base: New York City
• Height: (as Corrigan) 6 ft., 1 in.
• Weight: (as Corrigan) 184 lbs.
• Eyes: (as Corrigan) Blue
• Hair (as Corrigan) Red with a white streak

Major Story Arcs

Day of Judgement

When the Spectre comes under the control of the demon Asmodel, Heroes try to find Corrigan in the afterlife to return as the Spectre. Corrigan declines, stating he is now at peace, which leads to Hal Jordan's soul taking on The Spectre.

Other Media

DC Showcase: The Spectre

The ghost of Jim Corrigan appeared in the short film DC Showcase: The Spectre included with the film Justice league: Crisis on Two Earths. He is voiced by Gary Cole.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

The Spectre appeared on the show voiced by Mark Hamill who has down previous work with DC as the Joker on BTAS and the Arkham game. Also as the Prankster on the Flash television show and DCAU. He appears in the episodes "The Chill of Night" where he and Phantom Stranger both hold a bid on what happens when Batman learns of Joe Chill killing his parents. The next episode in "Gorilla's in Our Midst" where he aids Batman against Professor Milo. He kills Milo by releasing lab rats after he turned him into a piece of cheese. He later appears in silently in the episode "Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth" along with his fellow Justice Society members. He also appears silently in the background of "Mitefall!" in a conversation between other ghostly figures of the DC universe and in the final scene along with all the other heroes standing next to Batman. This Spectre is never confirmed to be Jim Corrigan though he does not posses any of the same traits or looks of Hal Jordan or Cripsus Allen

Smallville

He does not appear physically, but in a painting along with other Justice Society members in the episode "Absolute Justice".

The Spectre

There has been talk of Fox developing a Spectre TV series.