SPECTRE ANNUAL #1 COVER ART by PATRICK OLLIFFE - "LOST IN MEMORY."

Original cover artwork for Spectre Annual (Vol. 3) #1 (DC, 1995) by Patrick Olliffe (pencils) and Phyllis Novin (inks). This issue featured an excellent Golden-Age era story entitled, "Lost in Memory" by seasoned Spectre scribe John Ostrander that included the tragic origin tale of the Spectre and his very first team-up with the Egyptian Mage, Doctor Fate. The awesome Spectre and the mysterious Doctor Fate represent DC's first, and best, supernatural superheros, whose adventures originally appeared in the classic anthology title, More Fun Comics.

This adventure has an incredible climatic showdown between the Spectre and Doctor Fate as they confront the occultic threat of the black sorcerer, Micha Cole and the foul demon, Koth-Shugoth. Once the Spectre deals with Cole by turning him into dust, he turns his full attention toward the approaching evil entity know as the "Creeping Abyss." In a great exchange between the heroes, the Spectre orders the Mage to, "Close the portal behind me, Fate. I will deal with Koth-Shugoth." Fate objects, "But you'll be trapped...!" The Spectre sternly answers, "OBEY!" The awesome Astral Avenger then unleashes the Wrath of the Almighty upon his wicked adversary by declaring, "Foul slug of hell! Do you truly think yourself my equal?! You call yourself one of the Elder gods, but before you existed was the ONE over all, the ONE who consigned you and the others to this swamp of existence! I AM His Wrath! I AM His Vengeful Hand! And if you think to exceed the boundaries under which you were allowed to exist, then -- by Hell! You shall exist NO MORE!"

The Spectre emerges from the portal and declares, "The path is closed and a warning given to any other so-called Elder god that would seek to come this way." Doctor Fate inquires, "And Koth-Shugoth...?" To which the Spectre laconically replies, "Shall trouble mankind...nevermore."

"Lost in Memory" has always been one of my favorite Spectre stories ever since I bought this book off the stands and I highly recommend reading it to any Spectre and/ or Golden-Age fan. A tremendous tale in every aspect possible. Is not great storytelling enhanced by great artwork the principle reason we read and collect comic books in the first place?