The end is nigh. After a dozen years, The Spirit series reaches its finale in this final twenty-fourth volume of Will Eisner's The Spirit Archives. By this time in 1952 Eisner has taken a backseat and his assistants are handling the strip. Jules Feiffer and Klaus Nordling divide the writing duties and Nordling, Al Wenzel and James Dixon handle the artwork. There's quite a bit of cleverness to come. And then we get a dramatic change of direction when super talent Wally Wood is brought in to take The Spirit to the Moon. Let's begin.
Fabian Skimp January 6, 1952
Fabian Skimp was an efficiency expert hired by the Central City Express and he was eager to find ways to cut costs, and often that involved firing people. His constant search to find an edge isolated him but he found romance with an office worker named Miss Fipp. When he fired a guy named Clarion though, things got heated, especially when he discovered that Clarion and Fipp were stepping out. That's when murder crossed his mind. The Spirit makes a brief appearance in the story when he saves Skimp from a deadly attack by a fired employee. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by Manny Stallman.
Design for Doomsday January 13, 1952
It's hot in Central City and the world in general and some think the end of everything is near. That creates some havoc in the city and the police are hard-pressed to keep the peace. The heat is such that fires begin to break out and the Dolan home is one such place. When The Spirit finds Ellen dead, he's heartbroken just before the great explosion which does in everyone. Or at least that's the story being pitched by the writer Fieffer to Will Eisner in what amounts to a frame story. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by Don Perlin.
A Witness to Murder January 20, 1952
When a TV maker puts a camera inside a set which watches the people watching television they capture more than they bargained for when a beleaguered husband snaps and kills his wife. This evidence is presented to Commissioner Dolan and The Spirit who watch the crime unfold before their eyes in the frame of the TV screen. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
The First Man on Mars January 27, 1952
Captain Isotope is the famous TV space-opera character. His is show is quite popular, so much so that the actor who plays the part even begins to date Mayor Ellen Dolan, much to the chagrin of The Spirit. When Captain Isotope makes plans to actually fly a rocket to Mars, he finds himself saddled with some hoods seeking to escape the law. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by James Dixon.
A Man Named Nero February 3, 1952
The Spirit is kidnapped by a rich criminal named Nero who has over the course of a few decades recreated his own version of ancient Rome. The Spirit finds Sand Saref hanging with the villain who wishes for The Spirit to participate in his own bizarre version of the classic Roman games and forces our hero to battle lions. It's a good thing he has an ally. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
The Snow Fort Massacre February 10, 1952
When a young lad finds a dead body in his snow fort it proves a tough case for Commissioner Dolan and The Spirit to get to the bottom of. They learn the victim was named Itchy Post and they soon suspect an out-of-town mobster named Silky Purse. When a second body of a man named Eggy Poach shows up in the same snow fort The Spirit figures out the reason for all this mayhem. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
Leap Year February 17, 1952
It's Leap Year and according to tradition women are allowed to pursue men in the game of romance. Tiny Buttrix follows her heart and makes her feeling known for the lawman of her dreams...Commissioner Eustace Dolan. Dolan is flummoxed and flattered and then Tiny is kidnapped with Dolan by a gangster named Dapper. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
You Will Spend 15 Minutes in Darkness February 24, 1952
The Spirit bravely volunteers to enter into a caved-in mine in hopes of rescuing the trapped men, in particular a man named Toodem. When he does get into the mine, it collapses even more trapping him with lone survivor, a guy named Hauler who tells The Spirit that Toodem is dead. With air becoming a rare commodity, The Spirit nonetheless learns that there is more to this story of tragedy and death. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by James Dixon.
The Miami Beach Rumble March 2, 1952
The Spirit is sent to Miami Beach to bring back a potential witness against the mob named Gastro. But Gastro is quite careful and uses contacts to make the connection to The Spirit. When that contact is killed our hero knows that the mob is all around, and it makes things even harder when he's accused of the murder. On top of that The Spirit is constantly bothered by a men's apparel shop owner named Quartz who is anxious to get our man into something more stylish. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
The Big Job March 9, 1952
Our story is told by the man who claims to have killed The Spirit. He's a small-time hood who seeks to make his own mark in crime despite the shade put on him by his partner Arch. He wants to prove himself to Arch and takes on the contract to kill The Spirit to do just that. But as one might well suspect things are not quiet how they appear. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by James Dixon.
Patrolman Dolan March 16, 1952
In reprise of a classic tale, Commissioner Dolan is sent back to the beat through the manipulations of a crooked attorney and the mob. The Spirit is arrested but plans to kill him during a jail break go astray and it's up to him and Dolan to bring back real law and order to Central City. But only after The Spirit is shot in the back. Written by Klaus Nordling and drawn by James Dixon.
Staple Springs March 23, 1952
Still recovering from his wound, The Spirit goes to a spa after a tip he got in Louisville, Kentucky leads him to find the missing Judge Slater who was just about pass judgement on a killer named Butcher Polk who it turns out has just escaped. Things get more complicated when Butcher shows up, but with him is the lovely P'Gell. The Spirit does indeed survive, but whether P'Gell is on his side is as always somewhat of a mystery. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by James Dixon.
The Rainmaker March 30, 1952
In another remake we get the story of Hard Luck Heever who sank all his money into water delivery just before a new water project made it pointless. His wife is angry, but his fortune seems to turn when he meets an Indian who seems to be able to summon a drought at will. When that same Indian, named Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rainmaker turns out to be wooing Heever's wife things turn even more tragic. It's up to The Spirit to talk Heever out of killing himself. Written by Klaus Nordling and drawn by Al Wenzel.
The Million Dollar Robbery April 6, 1952
Young shoeshine boy Willum is under threat of death when chance causes him to cross paths with a murderous thief who has stolen a million dollars in an infamous bank robbery. As the potential killer tries to show young Willum off the ferry, he is saved time and again by the presence of other people. Ultimately The Spirit is forced to intercede. Written by Klaus Nordling and drawn by Al Wenzel.
Mayor Dolan April 13, 1952
This story is a reprise of how Ellen Dolan became the Mayor of Central City. The Spirit attempts to suggest that he was supportive of Ellen's decision to run for high office, but she reminds him how he not only didn't support her, but he actively supported the other candidate who turned out to be a murderous scoundrel and who attempted to eliminate his lovely competition. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by James Dixon.
The Great Galactic Mystery April 20, 1952
Humbolt Weepy is a meek looking man who has inexplicably gained vast mental powers and after demonstrating his ability to move objects and people, asks help in finding a candidate who he will transport to the Moon. A Professor of Astronomy agrees to suit up and be flung into the heavens to the Moon, but things get sticky when another force on the Moon seems to be contending forcefully with Weepy's powers. Written by Klaus Nordling and drawn by Al Wenzel.
A Different Face April 27, 1952
A man wakes up one morning and discovers that he's no longer who he thought he was, in face he thought he was The Spirit. Everywhere he goes he declares his identity only to be rejected by everyone including both Mayor Dolan and Commissioner Dolan. Ultimately, he is jailed for his own protection when it is suspected he might well be mad. His escape from jail gets him involved in a bank robbery, before the truth is uncovered. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by James Dixon.
L' Espirit May 4, 1952
This delightful farce is presented as might be a fancy foreign film, with subtitles. The dialogue is in French and English subtitles give us this tale of The Spirit boarding the ship The Sitting Duck where he finds two infamous villains who are pursuing a mysterious woman who of course turns out to be P'Gell. She has something the two baddies want and are willing to kill to obtain. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
The Incident of the Sitting Duck May 11, 1952
Following the events of the previous story, the ship The Sitting Duck comes into extraordinarily bad weather, allowing the two villains to escape the brig and once again press P'Gell about her secret. But the story is presented to us as testimony during a court hearing regarding the events which dealt with the sinking of the ship. We hear the reports of the Captain and crew as well as testimony from P'Gell and The Spirit. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
Assassins Incorporated Part One May 18, 1952
The Spirit is in Madrid during the famous running of the bulls and while this famous event is underway, he is tasked with contacting a man named Krug who has information which will cause the collapse of a deadly organization dedicated to contract murder. The Spirit must dodge both bulls and bullets to get the information he desperately needs. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by James Dixon.
Assassins Incorporated Part Two May 25, 1952
The Spirit is contacted by an unscrupulous businessman named Mr. Plunder who tells him that because The Spirit had broken up the assassination ring, he has no way to call off a murder he contracted for but now wishes to stop. The Spirit goes to stop the killing and in the process of same, meets a lovely woman who claims to be a reporter for the Atlantic News Service. Things then get more complicated. Written by Klaus Nordling and drawn by Al Wenzel.
Sammy Falls in Love June 1, 1952
Sammy falls madly in love with Gertrude Plastik, a wealth and spoiled teenage beatnik sculptor who wants a challenge and plans such a challenge by attempting to murder The Spirit. Sammy is torn between his love and his loyalty to The Spirit, but then things get even more complicated when two hoods named the Heist Brothers kidnap the impetuous Miss Plastik. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by James Dixon.
What are You Really Like? June 8, 1952
Psam Psych, Personality Detective claims in his magazine features that answering a few questions and doing some arcane math will reveal anyone's deepest character. When Ellen gives the quiz to The Spirit she fears he is on the verge of becoming a murderer and when the mob boss Mangler takes the quiz, he learns that he should hate crime and evil in general. This causes his gang to revolt, and they go to kidnap Psam Psych to help clear up their boss's misgivings. And they meet Ellen and The Spirit there as well. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
Five Hundred Papers June 15, 1952
A Mr. Quill tells us this story as we learn that his adventure comic strip "Captain Adventure" was once successful and in five hundred newspapers, but since has fallen on hard times with paper restrictions and changing tastes. He hires an assistant named George who more and more takes over the duties of producing the series until one day while on vacation in Florida, Quill learns that a new strip by George is taking over his spots in many places. He goes to confront George, and that's where The Spirit steps in. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by James Dixon and Don Perlin.
The Golden Lily June 22, 1952
In a story which evokes The Maltese Falcon, a certain Mr. Fat tells The Spirit the legend of the "Gilded Lily", the product of alchemical experiments in times gone by and a precious item of pure gold. The Gilded Lily has been stolen by Sand Saref we learn and then she ditches her partner Pepe when The Spirit closes into retrieve the object. Bullets fly as Sand Saref, Pepe, Mr. Fat and The Spirit converge on the precious item. Written by Klaus Nordling and drawn by Nordling and Al Wenzel.
Rube Potter June 29, 1952
Rube Potter was a gifted baseball player who was able to steal bases for over a decade with ease. But time caught up to him and the owner of his team trades him to another for a younger player. Potter fails to make the other squad and turns to the owner Mr. Sack for a job but is turned down. Potter though continues to work for the team as a volunteer until he learns that his replacement plans to throw a game. Things get complicated and ultimately The Spirit is needed. The story closes with a special announcement about how a Professor claims that Moon travel will soon be possible. It is suggested that this note has no bearing on the fate of The Spirit. But we know better. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by Al Wenzel. Wally Wood supplies the art on the final page.
The Ballad of Greenly Sleeve July 6, 1952
In a ballad we learn of the romance of Mr. Carrion as he attempts to win the love of pretty maiden, who demands he defeat The Spirit to win her love. Mr. Carrion trains and the confrontation takes place, but things get complicated when it's learned that the underworld has bet heavily in favor of The Spirit forcing our hero to consider abandoning the rules of fair play for the greater good. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by Al Wenzel.
Matt Slugg July 13, 1952
We hear the story of Harry Shill, a fight manager who is looking for just the right fighter for his system. He thinks he's found his man in Matt Slugg, a thief who Shill covers for in order to take him on as a protege. But Slugg's skills in violence are successful, but he doesn't abandon his life of crime and ultimately there is a death. Shill must confront the facts and turns to The Spirit for help. This story closes with a full page of additional information about rockets being sent to the Moon with live animals. Eisner promises additional information as it becomes available. Written by Jules Feiffer and drawn by Klaus Nordling and Al Wenzel. Wally Wood supplies for the final page.
Marry the Spirit July 20, 1952
To fit in with the trend in comics, Will Eisner is ordered to marry off The Spirit. This leads Eisner to imagine what life for our hero might be like if he was indeed married to Sand Saref, P'Gell, and Ellen Dolan. All three possible marriages run afoul of the inclinations of the women involved, the first to crime, the second to infidelity, and the third to an outside career. Eisner is spared when his boss orders him to follow another trend and send The Spirit into space. This is followed by a full page of information about a mission to the Moon manned by convicts and possibly led by The Spirit. Big changes have arrived. Written by Jules Fieffer and drawn by Al Wenzel. Wally Wood supplies the art for the final page.
Outer Space July 27, 1952
There is a great change in the series with this installment as artist Wally Wood joins The Spirit team alongside writer Jules Feiffer to send The Spirit into "Outer Space". It's a clear attempt to glom onto the fascination with space and space opera which was in other comics, films and television. Denny Colt as The Spirit is contacted to become part of the first manned rocket to go to the Moon. Already livestock have been sent. As this first entry in the story opens The Spirit is already aboard the spaceship and headed to the Moon and he reflects on how it came to be. Professor Hartley Skol is the man in charge of the project and needs a man like The Spirit, a cop to help ride herd on the convicts who will make up the crew. Over Ellen's pleas he agrees. We then follow along as The Spirit becomes part of a crew commanded by Captain Delf and they fly off into outer space. A hood gives The Spirit a space comic to help him pass the time.
Mission...the Moon August 3, 1952
The second entry by Feiffer and Wood continues as the mission reaches the Moon. In classic Wally Wood space suits, the team exits the rocket and sets foot onto the lunar surface. In addition to Captain Delf, Professor Skol and Denny Colt the Spirit we have the convicts Spider, Dutch, Ringo, Scobey, and Kress. The convicts at first balk at the work, but The Spirit is able to convince them that they need to work together. Tragically one convict's space suit malfunctions and he explodes. The others panic but once again The Spirit calms them down.
A DP on the Moon August 10, 1952
In the third entry the team find of all things a book on the Moon. It turns out to be a journal of a South American dictator named Francisco Rivera. It records how the paranoid dictator, fearing for his life becomes part of a mission to the Moon to save his skin. His paranoia expands and he sabotages the suits of his crew so that when they land all of them die save for him. He imagines himself the ruler of the Moon. There is not evidence of another rocket so it's an open question as to whether Rivera ever returned to Earth.
Heat August 17, 1952
The extremes of temperature are the focus of this fourth entry in which the explorers are warned to stay out of the intense sun. On Earth Ellen Dolan and Commissioner Dolan wait for the return of The Spirit and are interrupted by a gangster named Fly Musca who has broken out of jail to confront Spider Webbin, one of the convict volunteers. While Dolan deals with the hood on Earth, Spider finds things getting dangerous and difficult on the Moon and the mission loses another volunteer. We made privy to a murder Spider committed, so what happens to him is justice of a sort. Jules Feiffer wrote this story, but it takes Wally Wood, Will Eisner and Al Wenzel to draw it.
Rescue August 24, 1952
Entry five in the report on the Moon mission focuses on vision. The remaining members of the team are to ascend a Moon mountain and take measurements being careful to not look into the Sun too much. One member of the team goes blind after ignoring that advice. The Spirit sends a message to Earth via a small rocket announcing that the team is headed home. Back on Earth Ebony White and some kids including P.S. Smith build their own backyard "spaceship" to rescue The Spirit and company. The series is reduced from seven pages to four with this installment and that will remain the case throughout the remainder of the run. The story is by Jules Feiffer with art by Wally Wood. Will Eisner and Al Wenzel handle a few pages as well.
The Last Man on Planet Moon August 31, 1952
The sixth entry of the story sees the crew lift off from the Moon. But while the Earth waits for the return, one convict named Dutch decides to stay behind. When the message rocket lands on Earth, a hood named Archie Blyke is killed because he mistakenly thought that rocket was returning the crew to Earth and he waited to kill Dutch, but Archie is instead killed by the small rocket.
The Man in the Moon September 7, 1952
This is the story of Dutch Birch, the convict who stayed behind on the Moon. In this story by Jules Feiffer and Wally Wood we follow the last man on the Moon as he muses about what will happen when future missions land and he demands rent. The silence is a problem, but he adjusts. As we leave the Moon we leave Dutch behind.
The Osiris Jewel September 14, 1952
While we wait for the Moon mission to return, we get this four-page story in which Sammy tells Ebony about a case in which a criminal attempted to steal a gem from a museum by tricking Sammy into believing it was a fake. He almost gets away with the crime but a familiar man in a blue suit saves the day unknown to Sammy. The writer is unknown, but Eisner and Al Wenzel handle the artwork. Most likely Eisner wrote this one as well.
Return from the Moon September 21, 1952
In this final story by the Jules Feiffer and Wally Wood team we are aboard the returning rocket ship as the surviving members of the party contemplate a return to Earth. One convict named Buggsy begins to go stir crazy and loses touch with reality and at one point seems to look directly at the reader and plead for them to not close their eyes so that he won't be obliterated. The philosophy that "Nothing exists out of the self." is a real danger it seems to spaceflight.
The Spirit Back on Earth September 21, 1952
Denny Colt UFO Investigator October 5, 1952
In the final published Spirit story by writer Jules Feiffer and artists Will Eisner and Al Wenzil, which now seems to be retitled "Outer Space", The Spirit and Commissioner Dolan investigate the landing of the other ship and the disappearance of the farmer. We learn that the farmer is still alive and being held hostage by the creature who occupied it. That creature looks like a small boy, and both The Spirit and Dolan leave the case unsolved as we see the "boy" demand that the farmer teach him English. (In an unpublished set of thumbnails by Feiffer, we learn that the boy is a Martian and they age over a greater time than humans and return to a childlike state. P.S. Smith encounters the alien and is less than impressed. The farmer is saved more or less.)
And that's a wrap on The Spirit series published from 1940 until 1952. The series began its life as a noir crime drama about a mysterious figure risen from the grave to fight crime and ended as a light-hearted romp ensconced in a science fiction yarn. In between it gave us incredible stories of intrigue and suspense as well as some of the finest human-interest stories every transmitted in the comic book format. Romance and danger were around every corner in the dark streets of Central City as well as across the globe and beyond. The Spirit is well and truly one of the great runs in the history of the comics form and has lost none of its luster after many decades. Will Eisner was the main brain behind its greatness but his assistants and replacements such as Jules Feiffer, Manly Wade Wellman, Lou Fine, Joe Millard, Bill Woolfolk, Alex Kotzky, Jack Spranger, Abe Kanegson, Jack Cole, James Dixon, Klaus Nordling, and many others over the long run deserve no small amount of credit.
But we're not quite done yet. There are still the dailies produced in the early 1940's left to peruse. And more still after that. See you next time for a look at volume twenty-five.
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