Warning: spoilers ahead for Detective Comics #1027
While Batman is one of the greatest heroes in the DC Universe in his own right, Bruce Wayne had a childhood hero himself known as the Gray Ghost. While the Gray Ghost was originally a creation for Batman: The Animated Series, different iterations of the character and name have made their way into various parts of the DC comics universe at large, and a new version will be introduced in Detective Comics #1027.
In Batman: The Animated Series - seen by many fans as the best version of Batman - the Gray Ghost was actually a fictional character belonging to a television series that young Bruce Wayne would watch with his father Thomas. In the black and white series, the Gray Ghost was a mysterious vigilante, serving as an element of inspiration for Bruce when he would later decide to become a vigilante himself. In an episode of the Batman series, Batman ends up helping the actor who played the Gray Ghost, now older and retired (voiced by real life Batman actor Adam West) escape the clutches of a crazed bomber. At the end of the episode, Bruce gets an autograph from the Gray Ghost, sharing that he was and still is his childhood hero.
The "Grey" Ghost reemerged in a few issues of Batgirl in 2010 with an appearance that was a clear reference to the Gray Ghost from the animated series. The Grey Ghost's real name was Clancy Johnson, a reformed anarchist turned vigilante who sought to become partners with Batgirl. However, things didn't work out well for Johnson, as he was quickly killed trying to take down a group known as the Reapers. Now, the most recent iteration of the Gray Ghost has arrived and takes it up a notch in Detective Comics #1027. In the story by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham, readers meet the Silver Ghost, who looks like they may be the next great hero of Gotham. There's just one problem...
According to Morrison's short story, this particular detective sought to separate himself from the rest of the pack, as the city was full of private detectives turned crime-fighters. He then decides to become a mystery man, which has just started to become a trend. A page from Burnham sees a rooftop full of men in masks, hats, and capes, begging the question as to how original and effective this detective's idea really is (one of them is even an exact depiction of the Gray Ghost from the animated series). In any case, the detective creates a mood and inspiration board, using it to design a costume and build the beginnings of a crime lab. As the issue nears its end, he seems raring to go as the Silver Ghost.
Unfortunately, the Silver Ghost's career would end up becoming a rather short one. He was prepared for his first case, asking himself the question: "If the Silver Ghost doesn't tackle the scourge of crime in Gotham, who will?" Batman will, apparently. Sadly for Silver Ghost, Bruce Wayne beat him to the punch with his Batman persona and quickly became the premier protector of Gotham's innocents, much to Silver Ghost's chagrin. While the short story from Morrison is a really fun look at what might have been for Gotham City and DC Comics, it's seems safe to say that Batman is the much better choice, and Gray Ghost is best left as mere inspiration for the Dark Knight.
from ScreenRant - Feed
0 Comments