"WEIRD" ADVENTURE COMICS #433 TITLE SPLASH by JIM APARO - THE SWAMI AND...THE SPECTRE.
Artists: Jim Aparo (Penciller) , Jim Aparo (Inker) , Jim Aparo (Letterer)
12 Comments - 3,444 Views - 10 Likes
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DescriptionI have been waiting nearly 40 years for this wonderful piece of artwork to come to light, even since I first read the story, way back in 1977 when, as a young and new starry-eyed collector, I bought the book from my favorite childhood comic book store, Pacific Comics, which was located on Cass Street in beautiful Pacific Beach, California. I thank the LORD, that He allowed me to acquire it, for the Batman and the Spectre are my two favorite superheroes and this particular piece represents my second favorite piece in my entire collection.Absolutely astonishing original artwork for the title splash of (Weird) Adventure Comics #433 (DC - May-June, 1974), by the legendary artistic master, Jim Aparo who rendered the pencils, inks and the lettering as well – a full service artist par excellence. From the foreboding tale entitled, "The Swami and...the Spectre," this intriguing story has been told and retold at least three times; for the first one, we must go all the way back to More Fun Comics #54 (DC, 1940), which as brought to us by the hero's co-creators, writer Jerry Siegel (who, along with artist Joe Shuster, created Superman in Action Comics #1 – DC/ June, 1938) and artist Bernard Baily. Herein the Spectre exposed a charlatan spiritualist calling himself, Swami Rhani Set. And for all you mythology buffs, you may recall that Set was the Egyptian god of evil, storms, disorder, violence and chaos, thus, writer Siegel aligns this evil Swami with an ancient god of corruption and wickedness. Rhani Set was extorting money from Mrs. Winston, who was Clarice Winston's mother, the beloved betrothed of our hero, Jim Corrigan. And thus, she falls under the divine protection of the Spectre. After being exposed by the Spectre as a fraud who was defrauding her mother with the fake spirit of her dead uncle, Rhani Set turned his anger toward Clarice and so the Spectre does away with him and his assistant. This original early Golden-Age tale was adapted by writer Roy Thomas and artist Michael T. Gilbert in Secret Origins #15 (DC, 1987) for the story, "The Secret Origin of the Spectre." "The Swami and...The Spectre" (DC, 1974), is an excellent retelling of this classic tale, in which writer Fleisher pits the awesome Astral Avenger against the "Great" Swami Seelal, as the Swami moves to execute his evil schemes and violent vengeance against Jim Corrigan and his new love interest, the lovely, but quite naïve Gwendolyn Sterling. Of course, this evil Swami has no idea who he is dealing with. Adventure Comics #433 was the third installment of the famed Fleisher/ Aparo Spectre series collaboration and the very first time that the apropos subtitle, "Weird" was placed on the cover (done until issue #437), just above the super cool and large Adventure Comics (Golden-Age like) logo. A great deal has been written and discussed about this outstanding series, which lasted all too briefly from Adventure Comics #431 through #440 (DC/ February, 1974 - August, 1975). And justly so, for it represents perhaps the finest interpretation and most graphically intense execution upon this timeless Golden-Age superhero ever done at any time. In sum, this is Aparo at his absolute apex! Adventure Comics #433 is quite special in more subtle aspects as well. For, even though the Spectre appeared in two issues preceding this one, Aparo's illustrative rendering of the hero is not quite as refined as it is here. In Adventure Comics #431 and #432, he seems to be "feeling his way" a bit with the character, still not quite comfortable and fully in command of his illustrative technique. But, with issue #433, Aparo is completely confident, totally cool and fully in control of his craft as showcased on this super special title splash page. The dreadful Spectre, who has fittingly encased his evil enemy Swami Seelal within his own crystal ball, by which he has deceived and defrauded his flock of elderly rich woman. The doomed Swami scream in utter terror, but nothing will deliver him out of the vengeful hands of the Astral Avenger of Blood, himself. Aparo likewise did the exquisite lettering on this splash with the superb summery of our hero: "In the world of mortal men he is Jim Corrigan, hard-boiled police detective - but to the leeches of the underworld he is The Spectre, Awesome Avenger of evil, an earthbound ghost who punishes evil with a fearsome vengeance from beyond the grave! Join us now for the frightening story of...The Swami and...The Spectre." The dread Spectre, presented in his full grim glory, dramatically illustrated in his most dynamic fashion by his most renowned artist from his most unforgettable series. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Mark Yanko
Member Since 2009
Posted on 8/6/2018
It's totally understandable that you're completely thrilled with this finding its way into your collection! I, too, love this story and this series, and was fascinated from your writeup to learn that Michael Fleisher simply rewrote an original story and got paid for it. This doesn't diminish my enjoyment and admiration for this story and this issue, though. Congratulations! Aparo was indeed at his peak here.
Ken R
Member Since 2006
Posted on 8/6/2018
I know what this one means to you bro, big congrats on going to the mat and walking away with it!
Dynamic Duos 
Member Since 2009
Posted on 8/6/2018
Just don’t ask what Harlan Ellison thought....Great splash!
BRYAN B
Member Since 2007
Posted on 2/13/2020
This EC-like Run on the Spectre during Weird Adventure comics is some of the best stuff of the Bronze Age. Congratulations on securing this grail page and thank you very much for sharing it with us!
Paul Roach
Member Since 2014
Posted on 7/23/2021
Just spectacular! I love the way the shroud-like form of the Spectre frames the inset panel. Beautiful composition, from one of the greatest strips of all time. Congrats!
Marvelman Excelsior
Member Since 2011
Posted on 6/23/2022
This rocks on so many levels! Always great to see when a piece of art has found it's spiritual home!
Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012
Posted on 1/2/2024
One of the splash pages that hooked me on comics when I was first buying them. Congratulations on owning this.
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