| Gentleman Ghost | |
|---|---|
 Gentleman Ghost as depicted inJSA #84 (June 2006). Art byLuke Ross. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Flash Comics #88 (October 1947) |
| Created by | Robert Kanigher (writer) Joe Kubert (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | James "Jim" Craddock |
| Species | Ghost |
| Team affiliations | Injustice Society Secret Society of Super Villains Suicide Squad |
| Notable aliases | The Ghost "Gentleman Jim" |
| Abilities |
|
Gentleman Ghost (James "Jim"Craddock), introduced asGhost, and also known asGentleman Jim, is asupervillain appearing in works published byDC Entertainment.[1] Created by writerRobert Kanigher and artistJoe Kubert, the character first appeared inFlash Comics #88 (October 1947).[2]
Gentleman Ghost has been substantially adapted into media outside comics, including animated television series, films, and video games. He is voiced byGreg Ellis inBatman: The Brave and the Bold,"Weird Al" Yankovic inTeen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans,Toby Stephens inBatman: Caped Crusader, andRobin Atkin Downes inJustice League Unlimited.
The original,Earth-Two incarnation of Gentleman Ghost is a human criminal who used tricks and gadgets to appear to be a ghost.[3][4]
In post-Crisis continuity, James "Jim" Craddock is the son of an English gentleman who abandoned both him and his mother, forcing them into poverty. Craddock grows up to become a notorioushighwayman and robber who terrorizes England in the 19th century under the name "Gentleman Jim". He encounters the ghosts of other highwaymen, andDick Turpin leaves him a horse. He journeys to theUnited States and encounters thegunslingersNighthawk andCinnamon. Nighthawk kills Craddock, who returns as a ghost.[5]
The Gentleman Ghost learns that he must wander the earth until the spirit of his killer moves on to the nextplane of existence.[6] Nighthawk and Cinnamon are revealed to be the reincarnations of Prince Khufu and Chay-Ara, and cannot die due to their continual reincarnation. Both are resurrected asHawkman andHawkgirl, and the Gentleman Ghost becomes their recurring nemesis.[7]
Gentleman Ghost later appears as a member of theInjustice Society.[8]
DuringInfinite Crisis, Gentleman Ghost joinsAlexander Luthor Jr.'sSecret Society of Super Villains. He fightsAlan Scott and places him in a coma.[9]
His origin is explored and altered in the pages ofJSA #82-87 (2006). The son of an abusive father and a poor mother, young Jim Craddock slips into a life of crime, making contacts with the supernatural. He is eventually captured and sentenced to death, but returns as a ghost.[10]
Gentleman Ghost is one of the villains sent to retrieve the Get Out of Hell Free card from theSecret Six.
In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. Gentleman Ghost is depicted as a human similar to his Earth-Two counterpart before a witch curses him and transforms him into a ghost.[11][12]
In 2016, DC Comics implemented another relaunch of its books called "DC Rebirth" which restored its continuity to a form much as it was prior to "The New 52". Gentleman Ghost joinsAmanda Waller'sSuicide Squad Black to fightSebastian Faust after he steals several artifacts inA.R.G.U.S. storage.[13]
In "The New Golden Age", Gentleman Ghost obtains a special sphere to summon an army of zombies. He fights theJustice Society untilIcicle unknowingly uses his ice attack on the sphere, which summonsSurtur.Legionnaire borrows some of Hawkman's lifeforce and uses it to revive Gentleman Ghost, causing Surtur to explode and the zombies to disappear.[14]
In the "DC All In" initiative, Gentleman Ghost joinsScandal Savage's Injustice Society.[15]Wotan dispatches Gentleman Ghost andSolomon Grundy to head toHell and meet up with theDemons Three.[16] Upon arrival, Gentleman Ghost and Solomon Grundy learn from the Demons Three that Hawkman was freed by Hawkgirl andKid Eternity. While using Solomon Grundy to track a dead spirit, Gentleman Ghost summons his ghostly horse as they go looking for them.[17] Gentleman Ghost, Solomon Grundy, and the Demons Three lure Hawkman and Hawkgirl into a trap. After Gentleman Ghost shoots Hawkgirl, Kid Eternity returns and harnessesDoctor Fate's magic to repel the attackers.[18]
The Gentleman Ghost of Earth-Two relies on various devices to simulate ghost-like capabilities for his criminal capers.
Jim Craddock is a ghost who can become invisible and intangible, teleport, and freeze people with his touch. However, he is vulnerable toNth Metal, which has anti-magic properties.[19]
