Great comic book runs: The Spectre (Adventure comics) Aparo & Fleisher

One of my all-time favourite comic book series of the 1970’s was the Michael Fleisher and Jim Aparo revival of the Spectre character that appeared in Adventure Comics issue 431 – 440 (1974/5). This 10 issue series took its lead from the original golden age version of the character (created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Bailley in “More Fun Comics” issue 52 in 1940) who wasn’t averse to dispensing justice through acts of violence. However, the Fleisher/Aparo Spectre took his version of justice one step further through some excessive acts of brutality including turning a villain into glass before shattering him, turning another to wax and then melting him and in one particularly gruesome episode turning a bad guy into wood before feeding him through a band saw. In these circumstances it was perhaps understandable why this Spectre series was cut short as it was violent for a 1970's comic, but then again that was part of it's appeal at the time. Of course Jim Aparo’s excellent moody art and stunning covers didn’t hurt the comics lasting popularity.

Adventure Comics ~#431 – This issue also featured the classic back-up tale “Is a Snearl human?” by Sheldon Mayer and Alex Toth.

Adventure Comics ~#432 – This issue also featured a Captain Fear tale by Alex Nino and Steve Skates.

Adventure Comics ~#433 – This issue featured another Captain Fear tale by Alex Nino and Steve Skates.

Adventure Comics ~#434 – Not all issues were fully illustrated by Jim Aparo, this issue was pencilled by Frank Thorne with Aparo inking. This issue was the first in the series to feature a full length Spectre tale.

Adventure Comics ~#435 – This issue featured an Aquaman back-up tale by Steve Skates and Mike Grell. Additionally this was the notorious issue where the villain was turned to wood and then cut up in a saw. Brutal for an all colour comic at the time (perhaps even by today’s standards).

Adventure Comics ~#436 – This issue continues the Aquaman back-up tales by Steve Skates and Mike Grell

Adventure Comics ~#437 – This issue features Ernie Chan (Chua) on pencils with Jim Aparo inking. This issue also continues the Aquaman back-up tales by Steve Skates and Mike Grell

Adventure Comics ~#438 – This issue features Ernie Chua (officially using his real name) on pencils with Jim Aparo inking. This issue features part one of a pretty strange Seven Soldiers of Victory back–up tale by Joe Samachson and Dick Dillin and Howard Chaykin.

Adventure Comics ~#439 – This issue features part two of the Seven Soldiers of Victory back–up tale by Joe Samachson and Lee Elias.

Adventure Comics ~#440 – The final issue of Adventure Comics featuring the Spectre. This issue features part two of the Seven Soldiers of Victory back–up tale by Joe Samachson and Mike Grell.

The Michael Fleisher and Jim Aparo Spectre series has been reprinted several times over the years including a 4 issues series in 1988 (cover to issue 3 above) and the “Wrath of the Spectre” collection (cover at header) which are both worth seeking out. This series may not have any deep meaning as it was largely based on the premise of a criminal doing something evil and the Spectre showing up and killing him. But it was a well written and illustrated book that was a cross between the best of 1970’s superheroes and the EC horror comics of the 1950’s, what’s not to like?