Countdown Special: Eclipso #1 is a one-shot with a cover date of May, 2008. It was published on March 26, 2008.
Synopsis for "Black Pieces"
This story is reprinted from Eclipso #10.
Appearing in "Black Pieces"
Featured Characters:
- Bruce Gordon (Flashback only)
- Mona Bennett (Flashback only)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Desaad (Flashback only)
- Heggra (Flashback only)
- Sherlock Holmes (Mentioned only)
- Judge Pendleton (Mentioned only)
- Zeke and Deke
Locations:
- Africa (Flashback only)
- London (Flashback only)
- The Moon Stone
- New Genesis (Flashback only)
- Dark Side of the Moon
- Eclipso's Palace
Items:
Vehicles:
- Noah's Ark (Flashback only)
- Henry Gordon's Time Machine
Synopsis for "Into the Dark Side"
This story is reprinted from Spectre (Volume 3) #17.
Atop a mountain, the Spectre declares that there is no honesty in the hearts of men. In his fury, he blows apart the top of the mountain. He decides he will confront the heart of evil and then render his judgment on humanity.
In New York City, the Phantom Stranger visits Madame Xanadu's parlor and asks her to join him in his mission to stop the Spectre. Xanadu insults him by saying his plan won't work. After the Phantom Stranger leaves, Madame Xanadu decides to convince the others that they must work together.
The Spectre enters Eclipso's palace on the moon. Eclipso urges the Spectre to wipe creation clean and begin again. Then, Eclipso takes over the Spectre's body.
On Earth, the Phantom Stranger gathers with the Demon, Doctor Fate, and Zatanna. The Phantom Stranger has a black diamond that he intends to use against Eclipso or the Spectre -- whoever survives. But then he looks up at the moon and sees that the Spectre has been taken over by Eclipso.
The Phantom Stranger and the others form a shield around the black diamond so that Eclipso cannot shatter it. But Eclipso, joined with the Spectre, manages to shatter the diamond, enabling Eclipso to walk the earth once more. The "eclipsed" Spectre has his way with the Demon, Zatanna, Doctor Fate, and the Phantom Stranger.
Meanwhile, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Ramban and Father Craemer discuss the Spectre. Father Craemer believes the key is Jim Corrigan. Madame Xanadu appears at the door and asks to speak with them.
As they are walking through Central Park, Madame Xanadu suggests that they summon Corrigan without the Spectre persona. It will be up to Father Craemer to reach his soul. They're able to summon Corrigan's soul, which leaves Eclipso in complete control of the Spectre.
Appearing in "Into the Dark Side"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Great Darkness (Mentioned only)
- Timothy Hunter (New Earth) (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- New York City
- Church of the Holy Sepulcher
- Central Park
- Madame Xanadu's parlor
- The Moon
- Eclipso's palace
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Final Judgements"
This story is reprinted from Spectre (Volume 3) #18.
In Central Park, Jim Corrigan's soul is summoned by Madame Xanadu, Father Craemer, and Ramban. Corrigan's soul, under Eclipso's control, threatens to break out of the circle.
Meanwhile, the Spectre's essence is under Eclipso's control. The Phantom Stranger, the Demon, Zatanna, and Doctor Fate try to divert his attention so that he doesn't destroy the planet.
It's the middle of the night, but Ramban creates sunlight to drive Eclipso out of Corrigan's soul. Father Craemer talks to Corrigan, eventually getting Jim to admit that he is trying to escape the pain of Amy Beitermann's death. But Jim feels that there is no escape as long as the world exists. Jim says he can no longer bear the loneliness, so Father Craemer reaches into the circle, takes Jim's hand and tells him we are never alone.
The Phantom Stranger, the Demon, Doctor Fate, and Zatanna join their forces and knock down the Spectre. However, Eclipso takes over Doctor Fate, the Demon, and Zatanna. Doctor Fate takes back her power and binds the Demon and Zatanna. Then, Jim Corrigan arrives to reclaim his power, aided by Madame Xanadu, Ramban, and Father Craemer. With Jim Corrigan back in charge of the Spectre, he calls together the black diamonds' shards, remakes the diamond, and then rips Eclipso's palace off the moon. The Spectre burns the diamond to ash and casts it into space.
The Spectre admits that grief has clouded his judgment, so he cannot judge humanity as a whole—only as he finds them, one by one. Then the archangel Michael arrives and tells the Spectre that he has passed his test. But the Spectre insists that he is not innocent; he destroyed an entire country. Michael says the Spectre's judgment of Vlatava was extreme but just. Still, the Spectre says he has failed to understand evil, as Amy had been trying to help him do. Michael says the Spectre now understands his mission, so he is ready to begin it.
At the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jim tells father Craemer that he needs to talk. Father Craemer welcomes him in and offers Jim a cup of coffee.
Appearing in "Final Judgements"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Father Craemer
- Ramban
- Madame Xanadu
- Phantom Stranger
- Doctor Fate (Inza Nelson)
- Demon (Etrigan)
- Zatanna
- Michael the Archangel
Antagonists:
Locations:
- New York City
- Church of the Holy Sepulcher
- Central Park
- The Moon
- Eclipso's palace
Items:
Vehicles: