Adventure Comics #439 artwork by Jim Aparo - The VOICE that DOOMED the SPECTRE!

Original artwork for Adventure Comics #439 (DC, 1975), page 8 by Jim Aparo (pencils and inks). From the chilling tale, "The Voice that Doomed the Spectre," which provided a brand new origin of the Spectre, brilliantly written by Michael Fleisher. On the previous page, JIm Corrigan's prayerful plea to the Almighty that his long-lost humanity be restored to him once more is granted, as The LORD removes all the supernatural powers and invulnerability of the Spectre from his body, leaving JIm Corrigan as a normal breathing mortal man. This gift of human life is alluded to in the first panel of this page as Jim reflects, "I FEEL so peculiar this morning! It's as if..." Police Captain Stanley phones JIm to inform him that they have mob assassin Nick "Tricky Nicky" Shawn pinned down in a tenement on Broome Street. Jim rushes over to confront the mob hitman, deciding upon a direct assault via the fire escape, not concerned about his welfare, since he is completely obvious to his newly restored humanity. In an interesting reflection upon Jim's recurring recklessness, one of the police officers at the scene comments, "You can't talk sense to that guy Corrigan! I swear, there's somethin' WEIRD about him." Yes, something weird and uncanny indeed!

Aparo is at the apex in his prime period here and these issues are considered to represent the Spectre stories par excellence, bar none. Original artwork from this brief, yet remarkable run in Adventure Comics #431-440 is very rare and highly prized after among seasoned collectors. This unforgettable series firmly established the Astral Avenger as the top Bad-Ass in the entire DC Universe, a supernatural superhero totally unrivaled in power and Divine authority, granted unto him by the Almighty Himself, as he acted as Judge, Jury and Executioner upon evildoers. Writer Michael Fleisher's storylines were darkly grim, gritty and gruesome, while artist Jim Aparo's illustrations were simply breathtaking and considered by many to be the very best effort and execution of his entire legendary career.

The Spectre was created by legendary writer, Jerry Siegel (who also co-created Superman with Joe Shuster) and artist Bernard Baily as the lead-off star feature in More Fun Comics, beginning with issue #52 (DC/ February, 1940). He is a founding member of the famed Justice Society of America (see All-Star Comics #3). The Spectre is the first, foremost, most powerful and greatest of all supernatural superheroes.