The Spectre #2

The Spectre #2, published by DC Comics in 1968, arrived during a period of experimentation for the publisher as they sought to revive their golden age characters for a modern audience. The series was spearheaded by writer Gardner Fox and artist Neal Adams, who provided a moody, atmospheric aesthetic that distinguished the character from the more traditional costumed heroes of the era. The book leaned heavily into occult themes and existential dread, establishing a tone that felt far more mature and experimental than standard superhero fare of the late sixties.

The design of the issue is particularly notable for Neal Adams's dynamic, cinematic layouts, which moved away from the rigid grids common at the time. By focusing on the ghostly, ethereal nature of Jim Corrigan’s alter ego, Adams helped cement the character’s visual identity as a vengeful spirit of divine justice. While the series was short-lived during its initial 1960s run, it is frequently cited by historians as a crucial precursor to the darker, psychological storytelling that would come to define the DC horror line in the 1970s and 80s.