With the fifteenth volume of The Spirit Archives we get to enjoy some of the very best Spirit stories ever concocted. Denny Colt slides into the background of many of these short tales which bring to the fore strange and fascinating characters. We get fairy tales of a different kind, and holidays are celebrated with gusto once again. When The Spirit is front and center, we are treated to some of the most viscerally violent stories yet in the series. The continuity of the tales tightens as well.
Wanted July 6, 1947
When Mortimer J. Titmouse, a "nobody" wants to contribute to the war effort, he is given a menial position which proves to be quite important when he puts together the deadly secret of the atomic bomb from the scraps he's given to clean. This secret makes Titmouse a most wanted man, both by the police, The Spirit as well as the mysterious and deadly Octopus.
The Spirit's Favorite Fairy Tales for Juvenile Delinquents - Hanzel und Gretel July 13, 1947
Eisner gives us the first of his modern "fairy tales", this one about two kids, Hanzel and Gretel, reared in a criminal household. When push comes to shove their stepmother convinces their father to abandon them to the whims of a witch of sorts. The Spirit and gang get involved in attempting to rescue the kids and find good homes for them, but old habits are hard to break.
Li'l Adam July 20, 1947
Eisner puts on his parody hat and takes some wide swings at comic strip artists Al Capp, Chester Gould and Harold Gray. Li'l Adam of course is a parody of Li'l Abner, with strange parodies of Dick Tracy and Little Orphan Annie along for the ride as well. The crime which The Spirit investigates with vigor appears to be a brutal killing, but the victim gets better.
The Lamp July 27, 1047
It turns out you might be able to buy Aladdin's Lamp, or at least Ebony is able to do so. He sells it quick for a profit and soon the Lamp is off on a journey which suggests there's more to it than a pretty sheen. A hood seeks to use the magic of the Lamp to assist him in crime, but The Spirit is forced to confront the magic to achieve some level of justice.
Competition August 3, 1947
P'Gell and Saree are up against it when the mortgage is due, so they take in some boarders, but not so nice ones. The Spirit is attempting to break up a forgery outfit, and though he doesn't need it, gets the help of Officer Sam Klink, a rookie fresh out of training and eager to serve. His first encounter with P'Gell is a golden moment in the series.
Sign of The Octopus August 10, 1947
This one begins an action-filled set of stories with an action filled encounter between The Spirit and his arch-nemesis The Octopus. Fists fly with abandon. The Spirit requires the assistance of Officer Klink again, sort of, to escape the henchman Gasher. They Octopus as usual slips through the net.
Picnic August 17, 1947
With Gasher in custody, The Spirit is confident that The Octopus will attempt to break him out of jail. But his scheme to capture the master villain is somewhat thwarted when Ellen demands that The Spirit, Commissioner Dolan and Ebony go with her on a picnic in the countryside. We get to see another side of The Spirit in this country setting. Meanwhile it's left for Officer Klink to await The Octopus.
Showdown with The Octopus August 24, 1947
We are treated to a noir delight as in the shadows, fists fly and guns fire. The Spirit confronts The Octopus in what advertises itself as a finale to their rivalry. The series really has poured on the violence in this set of stories, but the brutality amps up tremendously in this slam-bang fight to the finish. Is The Octopus defeated? What do you think?
Blind August 31, 1947
The Spirit is left temporarily blinded by the clash with The Octopus. He hates that this infirmity makes it all but impossible for him to go forth and battle crime in Central City. But he doesn't let it stop him and with a little gentle assist from Ebony does indeed manage to capture the villains Bugg-Eye, Little Snead and Murder McCoy. Officer Klink is also on the case.
A Killer at Large September 7, 1947
Dolan's police force is focused on bringing in a deadly killer, a small dog who seemed to have killed the dogcatcher. His replacement Bowser looks into the case as well as Ebony and Officer Klink. Ward Healy, a political boss puts pressure on Dolan and the department to close the case and it's up to the still-blinded Spirit to get to the bottom of things.
Into the Light September 14, 1947
The Spirit consults the brilliant and beautiful Dr. Floss about his blindness. She assures him his eyesight will return, but already having returned in Mr. Carrion and his vulture Julia. These two kidnap Floss and the blind Spirit and whisk them away on a boat, but fog settles in, and The Spirit finds himself on even footing with the nefarious Carrion.
End of the S.S. Raven September 21, 1947
The notorious and deadly S.S. Raven returns to the series one more time. In a very text-heavy installment we learn that the Raven has survived Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, before falling into the mitts of two Nazi scientists who attempt to use the evil ship for their own purposes as a place to fulfill the Nazi dream. The Spirit's appearance slows them down and his epic struggle with the Raven proves he's a hero for the ages.
U.F.O. September 28, 1947
Orson Wells comes in for some heavy satire as the character "Awesome Bells" is at the center of this sci-fi farce. A spaceship from descends to Earth and its occupant seeks out Bells to become the agent for Mars on Earth before the planned invasion. When Bells turns the Martian down, his press agent is killed and Bells lands in the hands of Commissioner Dolan and the police. Of course, no one believes him but then two thugs break him out and The Spirit gets involved. This one was a lot of fun.
The Spirit's Favorite Fairy Tales for Juvenile Delinquents - Cinderella October 5, 1947
This is a different kind of Cinderella tale, with our titular maiden being a key part of a series of crimes. She was raised by her Stepmom, a reformed criminal who tried to raise her girls right, but Cinderella preferred larceny. She gets involved with The Spirit when she goes to the Policeman's Ball as part of a scheme to rob an adjoining bank. At midnight things get hot for everyone.
Mr. McDool October 12, 1947
Satin and Hildie return to Central City and Satin is forced to shoot a blackmailer in self-defense. McDool, like Satin is a representative of the Croyds o' Glasgow, an insurance company willing to insure even stolen documents. He and Commissioner Dolan investigate the crime which results in Satin going on the run. Deception and betrayal are on the menu. And The Spirit finds himself an eligible bachelor.
Doppelganger October 19, 1947
A murderer and thief named Joe Jones finds that over the course of his criminal life he is continually confronted by and often seemingly saved by a man who looks just like him and even shares his name. Time and again Jones is abetted by this "doppelganger" as he becomes an old man living in Central City where he finds he needs a hundred grand to save his operations. When there is a deadly shootout both Jones and The Spirit suffer.
The Halloween Spirit of 1947 - The Burning of P.S. 43 October 26, 1957
Hazel P. MacBeth is a fourteenth-generation witch, and she attempts to prove her craft to local children by casting a spell to burn down their school. When it actually burns, they are shocked, and an investigation begins which suggest arson rather than witchcraft. Ward Healy, a political wheel shows up again in an effort to wrangle a contract to build a new school. It's up to The Spirit to get at the truth. When the State Senate's Committee of Un-Natural Activities gets involved, things really go to the dogs.
The Criminal November 2, 1947
When the young Sawbuck, leader of the Orioles A.C. gang, shoots Officer Klink, he thinks he's headed for a life on the run like recently executed Mike Mayhem. But with his friends abandoning him, the remorseful Sawbuck meets a stranger on a train who helps him see the light about a life of crime and little Sawbuck has a dreadful decision.
Mr. Bowser's Election November 9, 1947
When Mayor Blast seemingly attempts suicide, political machine boss Ward Healy leaps into to action to organize a emergency election with his hand-picked candidate Bonehead Baker, Inspector of Cemetaries immediately put onto the ballot. Veterans frustrated with services from city government, move to put rookie cop Sam Klink forward. These two have a swift but narrowly fought campaign with Dog Catcher Bowser playing a key role, while The Spirit attempts to get to the bottom of Blast's attempted "suicide".
The Fighting Machine November 16, 1947
Nasdrov is a "Fighting Machine" according to his manager, but when he ends up killing too many of his opponents in the ring, he cannot get a match. That is until Ellen Dolan arranges a boxing exhibition for Central City charities. She arranges to have The Spirit take on this brutal fighter, though she's unaware of his reputation at the time. The in-ring battle between Nasdrov and The Spirit is savage.
Money, Money November 23, 1947
P'Gell and Saree need immediate cash to pay off their mortgage, which has been called in so the lender, a Mr. Quinsey can secure the property to look for treasure. A murderous chap named Ahmed-the-Trader is involved as well. The wealth appears and disappears with great alacrity in this witty encounter. The Spirit is left to attempt to bring the villainous Ahmed to heel. Does the always seductive P'Gell prevail yet again? What do you think?
Slippery Eall November 30, 1947
Slippery Eall enters prison only to turn around and lead a massive uprising and attempted escape. The warden is shot as he attempts to escape to warn the police and Commissioner Dolan leaving The Spirit as the only man standing between this violent mob of prisoners and the outside world. Our hero wages a desperate battle as he hopes for help. It's a battle worthy of Horatius of Rome against the invading Etruscans.
Death of Hugo December 7, 1947
When Hugo is gunned down mercilessly, one would think that might kill him, but not Hugo. He rises up in the cold snow unaffected by the bullets which penetrated his clothing and proceeds to confront his killer Mouser and his partner Powder. The Spirit is being held captive by this duo. The lovely Powder sees Hugo and he even uses her gun to kill Mouser. But when Hugo's dead body is found, a profound mystery ensues, one which requires the reader to plumb the depths.
Snow December 14, 1947
When it snows, the soft white powder becomes a great place to hide as Ebony discovers in his feud with P.S. Smith. Villains are also trying to hide and move stolen diamonds as The Spirit attempts to discover their methods and bring the Goldbrick gang to justice. Slippery Eall and some of his mates from prison get themselves involved as well. Snow, ice, and icepicks are flying in this one.
The Christmas Spirit of 1947 - Joy December 21, 1947
Will Eisner creates a story made up of seven splash pages that tell the story of a European lad named "Joy". The terrible conditions in the war-torn landscape are on full display as Joy finds a scrawny chap who claims to be Santa Claus. Joy shares what little he has and gets a giant wish granted. He is able to come to America, at the time a land of plenty for most of its citizens and he's able to enjoy the Christmas holiday with The Spirit gang.
Umbrella Handles December 28, 1947
When a cop digs out the unconscious Spirit from a deep snow, it's only the beginning of a wild misadventure featuring the smuggling of gems inside Army surplus umbrellas by the Nazi Baron Von Shlozz. Things heat up even more when The Octopus wants a piece of the action. The Spirit recovers and rejoins the hunt and the fight over the booty. Once again, The Spirit is left to die in the snow.
Wonderful stories! I enjoyed these immensely and they are much improved by reading them in sequence. The continuity within the strip is strong, and that must have had a positive effect on readership at the time. It's clear that Eisner is having great fun with the Spirit stories and that he has important things to say as well. The blend of humor and action is ideal, and the characters are treated with respect, even some of the more absurd ones.
The Dojo continues its march forward into 1948 with volume sixteen. See you again in a fortnight with a full report.
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