The Spirit

image=

Character history

The Spirit, a "middle class crimefighter", was the hero persona of young detective Denny Colt. Colt, presumed killed in the first three pages of the first serial, later revealed that he had not died, but was in suspended animation caused by one of arch-villain Dr. Cobra's experiments. When Colt awakened in Wildwood Cemetery, he established a base there and, using his newfound anonymity, began a life of fighting crime wearing only a small domino mask, blue business suit, fedora and gloves for a costume. The Spirit dispensed justice, funding his adventures with the money from his own estate and the rewards for capturing villains.

Related Topics:
Middle class - Denny Colt - Crime - Mask - Business suit - Fedora - Justice

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Spirit was based in Central City, but his adventures took him around the globe to different and exciting places. He met up with eccentrics, kooks, and beautiful but deadly women (most notably P'Gell), bringing his own form of justice to all of them. The story changed continually, but certain themes remained constant: the love between Ellen Dolan and the Spirit, the annual Christmas Spirit stories, and the Octopus (a criminal genius who was never seen, but recognized by his distinctive gloves). The Spirit also gained a sidekick, an African American named Ebony White who was a racial stereotype typical of the era, but gained courage and resourcefulness as the series progressed. Eisner always expressed affection for the character, but later acknowledged the racial stereotyping in his depiction, which he argues was simply how comedy was done at the time, and that he did not do it maliciously.

Related Topics:
Central City - Beautiful but deadly women - Christmas - Sidekick - African American - Ebony White

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~