Ghost | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Nedor Comics America's Best Comics (DC) |
First appearance | Thrilling Comics #3 (April 1940) |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | George Chance |
Team affiliations | SMASH |
Notable aliases | The Green Ghost |
Abilities | Levitation Astral projection Invisibility |
The Ghost is a superhero that appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics. His first appearance was in Thrilling Comics #3 (April 1940). The character is loosely based on the pulp hero created by G.T. Fleming-Roberts, who was variously known as the Ghost, the Ghost Detective, and the Green Ghost. [1]
The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics.
The Ghost's origin was revealed in his first appearance in Thrilling Comics. The Ghost is George Chance, an occult investigator. Years of studying the mystical arts have given him the power of levitation, astral projection, turning himself or others invisible, and other seemingly magical powers. The Ghost uses his powers to fight crime, which he does while accompanied by his wife, Betty. [2]
According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, the Ghost's arch-enemy is "the evil (though not mad) scientist Dr. Fenton, who sends his kidnap victims (including America's greatest leaders) back to the Stone Age, and brings back monsters, villains, and women from the past. Chance also fights the super-hypnotist Dr. Volkan and Martians in a recap of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom novels". [3]
The Ghost appeared as a backup feature in many issues of Thrilling Comics. His final Golden Age appearance was in issue #52 (February 1946). [4]
Alan Moore revived the Ghost, along with many other Nedor Comics characters, for his Tom Strong series. In Tom Strong #12 (June 2001), the Cavalier was revealed to have been a member of SMASH, a superhero team that had been placed in suspended animation after an alien invasion from the Moon in 1969. The Ghost was one of the heroes killed during that fight; however, thanks to his mystical powers he was able to remain in this reality in his astral form. He was revived 30 years later thanks to the efforts of Tom Strong. Now calling himself the Green Ghost, Chance reunited with his wife to continue his investigation of the paranormal. The Green Ghost has since joined the reunited SMASH.
Chance's widow later married science hero-turned detective Grant Halford (aka The Magnet).
The American Crusader is a superhero who originally appeared in Thrilling Comics #19. He appeared in almost every issue until #41.
The Black Terror is a fictional comic book superhero debuting in Exciting Comics #9, published by Nedor Comics in January 1941. The character was popular and, on the strength of the Black Terror's sales, Nedor made Exciting Comics a monthly magazine starting with issue #11.
Doc Strange is a Golden Age comic book superhero who originally appeared in Thrilling Comics #1 in February 1940. The character continued in Thrilling Comics until issue #64. He also appeared in America's Best Comics #1-23 and 27.
Grim Reaper is a fictional character and a superhero. Created by writer/editor Richard E. Hughes, he first appeared in Fighting Yank #7, and was quickly promoted to cover feature of Wonder Comics, beginning with #1. His origin story was told in Wonder Comics #2.
The Society of Modern American Science Heroes', or SMASH, is a team of superheroes whose adventures are published by America's Best Comics and take place on the parallel world of Terra Obscura.
The Fighting Yank is the name of several superheroes, first appearing in Startling Comics #10.
The Green Mask is the name of two comic book superheroes, both published by Fox Feature Syndicate. Both are in the public domain with some of the original stories having been reprinted by AC Comics.
Standard Comics was a comic book imprint of American publisher Ned Pines, who also published pulp magazines and paperback books. Standard in turn was the parent company of two comic-book lines: Better Publications and Nedor Publishing. Collectors and historians sometimes refer to them collectively as "Standard/Better/Nedor".
Miss Masque is a fictional masked crime-fighter. She originally appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics, and was later revived by AC Comics, America's Best Comics, and Dynamite Entertainment.
Pyroman is a fictional superhero that appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics. His first appearance was in Startling Comics #18, with art by Jack Binder. This character was later revived by both AC Comics and America's Best Comics.
The Woman in Red is a fictional character that first appeared in the period known to comic book historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books. Created by writer Richard E. Hughes and artist George Mandel, she first appeared in Thrilling Comics #2, published by Nedor Comics. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics. She would also be used by Dynamite Entertainment in Project Superpowers Chapter Two.
The Liberator is a superhero from the Golden Age of Comics. His first appearance was in Exciting Comics #15, published by Nedor Comics. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics.
The Scarab is a fictional superhero from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in Startling Comics #34, published by Nedor Comics. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics.
Lance Lewis, Space Detective is a fictional superhero from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in Mystery Comics #3 (1944), published by Nedor Comics. The character was revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics.
The American Eagle is a superhero from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in America's Best Comics #2, published by Nedor Comics, an imprint of Standard Comics.
The Magnet is a fictional character from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in the Complete Book of Comics and Funnies #1 (1944), published by Nedor Comics. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics.
Princess Pantha is a jungle heroine that appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics. The character was revived twice; first by AC Comics, and then by writer Alan Moore for his Tom Strong spin-off, Terra Obscura. She first appeared in Thrilling Comics #56.
The Raven is a fictional superhero character who first appeared in the Ace Comics title Sure-Fire Comics. He is based on the pulp hero "The Moon Man" published by Periodic House, the pulp publisher connected to Ace Comics.
Captain Future is a fictional superhero character who first appeared in Startling Comics #1 from Nedor Comics.