Anonymous
Posted January 24, 2007
The latest JSA trade paperback collects issues 82 - 87 as the JSA is literally haunted by a threat from their long past. The Gentleman Ghost made his first appearance in Flash Comics #88 in 1947 and was primarily a foe of Hawkman. Originally he was a mere criminal who used various tricks to make himself appear to be a ghost but his origin was later changed to make him a true ghost. James Craddock was an English highwayman who preyed on nobles in the 1800's. Ghost Stories begins in the early 1950's after the JSA has disbanded and the Gentleman Ghost is on a crime spree, stealing famous jewels and outmaneuvering Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Cut to the present day as the various members of the new JSA all start experiencing hauntings from deceased friends and family members. The Gentleman Ghost has a legion of ghosts to hinder the JSA leaving them to call on their own other-worldly assistance, and I'm not referring to the Spectre, you'll just have to be surprised like I was. It seems that the Ghost can only be truly defeated by one who is an heir to the throne of England, but who could that possibly be??? The story cuts back and forth from the present to the 1800's as we see just how the young boy James Craddock grew into a highwayman and was cursed to live as a spirit. It may have been a bit too much time to spend on what is a fairly minor character, but it was done well. Paul Levitz wrote the story and I am always appreciative of writers who can take characters who have been around for a long time and make them interesting and fresh. DC has eight decades worth of characters just lying around waiting to be explored. Why create new villains when a good writer can breathe new life into an old one. And it sure was good to see good ol' Ma Hunkel again... George Pereze handles the art on the first chapter while Rags Morales and Jerry Ordway finish up on the remaining issues. Obviously, anything that Perez does will be first-rate but Morales and Ordway finish the book seamlessly.
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