In the previous volume of Will Eisner's The Spirit Archives, the quality of the storytelling was slipping. Even highly competent talents such as Manly Wade Wellman, Bill Cole and Lou Fine seemed to be struggling to keep the series fresh. Aside from Cole's wacky action sequences, the visuals were becoming downright average. That trend continues in this ninth volume which finishes off 1944. Eisner himself was still working for the United States military.
Case of the Murdering Tiger July 2, 1944
Manly Wade Wellman and artist Lou Fine join forces to deliver this circus yarn about an unfortunate animal trainer who turns up dead, apparently slain by the tiger she worked with. The Spirit has his doubts and proves to himself that all is not what it seems under the big top. Ebony is on hand for some comedy relief, especially when a tiger is invited into the Wildwood Cemetary.
For the Love of Clara DeFoe July 9, 1941
A once-famous actor is found down on his luck in the local city dump and is coaxed into walking the boards again for the sake of a woman he once loved. He seems to get over his animus with her but then an attempt is made on her life and the Spirit is there to get to the bottom of this story-within-a-play. Wellman and Fine are on the case again.
The Treasure of the S.S. Jackson July 16, 1944
Manly Wade Wellman and Lou Fine are the creative team. Ebony is shanghaied with another man and becomes part of a gang of modern-day pirates who sail to find treasure they'd once buried. The Spirit is able to tag along, though the crew imagines they have a ghost aboard ship. The pirates of course soon regret bringing Ebony along for the cruise.
Another Satin July 23, 1944
Silk Satin returns after quite a long absence from the series. Or does she? When it appears that Satin is killed the Spirit is highly motivated to get to the bottom of the crime. Commissioner Dolan also thinks he has the case solved. Joe Millard wrote this script for artist Lou Fine. It was a treat to see Satin again, I'd almost forgotten about her.
The Case of the Kindly Dragon July 20, 1941
A version of the classic "Yellow Peril" raises its noggin in this story which a murder is not all it seems to be. The clue is right before our eyes, assuming the creators are playing fair with their facts. Bill Woolfolk and Lou Fine most likely made this Spirit story, the last of the run which would run eight pages. Subsequent stories would be seven pages or less.
The Metal Monsters August 6, 1944
This is a wild one in which Central City finds itself rife with robberies committed with the assistance of ominous robots. Dolan is a bit overcome, but the Spirit and Ebony rise to the attack and find ways to defeat the machines as well as the men who operate them. Woolfolk and Fine are on the job in the first of the seven-page stories.
Smooch and the Baby August 13, 1944
Bill Woolfolk and Lou Fine combine talents to make this story about a hood named Smooch Leary who finds a baby on his doorstep as he's resting up for a robbery. The Spirit and Ebony drop by to see what Smooch is up to and he knows the kid will mean trouble for him. Smooch is presented as a hood with a heart. I can't imagine it's a mistake he rather looks like Stan Laurel.
Miss Meda August 20, 1944
When a fetching dame named Meda snares a rich kid for a groom, she's able to shake down his rich father to save the family reputation. When Meda ends up dead, both the son and the father confess to the crime. What really happened is up to the Spirit to discern. Bill Woolfolk and Lou Fine are the creative duo on this story. Easily the best splash of this volume. The front pages of the series had gotten quite pedestrian of late.
The Children's Welfare Ball August 27, 1944
Ellen and a committee of like-minded young women are gathering up funds for children by throwing a ball. When the money is stolen, the Spirit finds he's behind Ellen and her friends as they seek to recoup the loss themselves. They do that and more. Bill Woolfolk and Lou Fine made this one. Fine's artwork has become a bit spare, but the storytelling is quite good still.
Tubbs and Burberry September 3, 1944
Wellman and Fine are the creative team on this light-hearted yarn about two actors who scheme to steal the jewels of an actress. The Spirit gets wise to the plot but the ultimate punishment these two get is not predictable. This was a nifty funny story, with a real cinematic quality to the plot. Fine's more realistic artwork fits.
Jackie Boy September 10, 1944
Ebony gets a job as a valet taking care of a racehorse named Jackie Boy. When it becomes obvious that gangsters have plans to injure the horse so as to affect the outcome of the race the Spirit must race himself to save both Ebony and his charge. We get a glimpse of the Spirit's skills as a vet as well. Bill Woolfolk and Lou Fine are the creative team.
Who Killed Cop Robin September 17, 1944
When a cop named Pete Robin is murdered a clue left behind is a dark version of a nursery rhyme. Later another victim is found. The nursery rhymes take the Spirit to see a villain named Sparrow. Ellen is not satisfied with the direction of the investigation and follows her own path which leads to a local bookstore. Woolfolk and Fine made this one.
The Case of the Headless Burglar September 24, 1944
A strange headless burglar tramples across Wildwood Cemetary, bringing the case close to home for the Spirit and Ebony. The Spirit puts some plaster to work to help get to bottom of his weird crime spree. Heads roll literally in this snappy if bewildering snapshot of a story. Wellman and Fine are the creative team.
Big Jake Gooley October 1, 1944
When Jake Gooley disappears into a swamp the Spirit and Ebony pursue him despite warnings that no one has ever returned. What they discover is a lurid crime which put me in mind of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The death count is remarkably high in this one. And of course, the Spirit and Ebony do return. The reliable Wellman-Fine duo are on duty.
The Uncanny Cat October 8, 1944
Bill Woolfolk likely wrote this for Lou Fine's art. It's a story in which a cat tags along as Commissioner Dolan and the Spirit investigate a murder. There are plenty of bullets yet to fly in this tale about diamonds and sardines. I did find this one a bit hard to follow in places but the humor was strong.
The Music Box October 15, 1944
Ebony is tasked with delivering a box, but he is stalled in his mission by a nice cold ice cream soda. When the box turns out to contain a brick, it's up to the Spirt to get to the bottom of the switch. Wade Manly Wellman and Lou Fine team up for this one. Fine is really doing some interesting things with his storytelling using some fresh points of view to give the stories some added energy.
Kingololio October 22, 1944
The Spirit and Ebony are just walking down the street when a damsel in distress gets their attention. Her uncle is rich man and his weird behavior is of great concern. A man named Ruff Stunagle seems to have gained control of him. The latter is an explorer and his exotic collection comes into playas the pair try to solve the mystery. The stereotype of Ebony looks especially bad in this story. Lou Fine's more realistic artwork for the series makes the broad presentation of Ebony even more egregious. Wade Manly Wellman wrote this one.
The Secret of the Gold Hills October 29, 1944
A friend of Ellen's named Mona is concerned about the output of her gold mine. The Spirit uses his science skills to determine Mona is being ripped off. An investigation brings the Spirit into great danger and he is followed close behind by both Ellena and Mona. This one is not so much a who dunnit, but more a how dunnit. Wellman and Fine co-created this one.
Will O' Wisp Murders November 5, 1944
Wellman and Fine are the creative team on this classic mystery yarn which features death threats against a wealthy man. His secretary and bodyguard are threatened first and when those threats seem to come true it's left to the Spirit to save the day, if he can.
The Return of Dandy Bibo November 12, 1944
A mobster named Dandy Bibo is spotted by the Spirit after a two-year absence. Suspecting that he will hook up with is old gang the Spirit keeps close tabs on him and sure enough he seems to be hanging out with the old gang, and they have plan to rob a bank. Bibo's secret is key to the finale. Most likely Manly Wade Wellman wrote this one for Lou Fine.
Cooter Creek November 19, 1944
Bill Woolfolk and Lou Fine team up for this tale about Ebony White and his attempt to woo his lady love "Scarhlett". He finds a rival in a lad named Butch and the fishing trip gets complicated. When the Spirit hears they are fishing at Cooter Creek he dashes out to save them from potential harm. Now I don't know if "cooter" was slang for a woman's most private area when this story was created, but it is now and it adds a layer of satire to the proceedings.
Upside Down House November 26, 1944
The dead body of a policeman turns at the Upside-Down House attraction, and it's a race between Dolan and the Spirit to get to the bottom or perhaps top of the mystery. There are some nifty visual gags in this one, but the mystery itself is pretty standard stuff.
Thirteen O'Clock December 3, 1944
Lola LaBelle, a famous actress comes to the police with a strange mystery -- her clock strikes thirteen. It's a small mystery, but she's a very lovely woman so Commissioner Dolan is all too ready to take up the case himself and get to the bottom of it. The Spirit sees there's more to this than meets the eye and his involvement proves critical. Wellman and Fine co-created this one.
The Organ Grinder December 10, 1944
An organ grinder and his monkey Pietro are witness to a crime but can offer only a vague description to the police and the Spirit. Things get more suspicious when the duo end at the scene of another jewel heist. It takes a little arson to get to the bottom of things. But Woolfolk and Fine are the creative team.
The Dancing Gang December 17, 1944
Ellen Dolan is taking acting lessons again, but it seems her teacher is a notorious jewel thief. The Spirit investigates and during the course of his light-hearted romp gives the reader a real tap-dancing treat. Bill Woolfolk writes it, and Lou Fine draws it with some real aplomb and skill when it came to drawing the dances.
The Heirs of Dubbs Dombey December 24, 1944
When Dubbs Dombey other members of his gang meet to divey up his swag. They think it might be in his coffin so they arrange a hoax to make it seem he is still alive so that Commissioner Dolan will have the body exhumed. The action takes place to a great degree in Wildwood Cemetary, and it's nice to see the Spirit in that setting. This is another Wellman-Fine effort.
The Mystery of the Death Angel December 31, 1944
When the botanist Lan Logan dies the clues point to Margo Marr, a woman who had jilted him. Further investigation suggests the culprits might be a man named Scare, Ian's rival. But as usual things are not what they seem. Manly Wade Wellman and Lou Fine wrap up this collection.
The shift in Lou Fine's artwork really changes the tone of the Spirit series. Fine uses a much more realistic style, more in keeping with the advertising art he'd produce in years to come. But that realism undermines the jaunty humor the series had always had bubbling beneath even the darkest plots. Further Ebony looks especially crummy. I can also see readily why Eisner always commented that Fine couldn't draw the Spirit's hat very well. It always seems to be floating on top of his head. Overall, the art looks pretty great, but not what we'd come to expect on this series.
The next volume will take us into 1945 and we'll see the series as the war in the Pacific comes to an end. That means Will Eisner is poised to return.
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