It has been shown to me that grief has clouded my judgment. I cannot judge humanity as a whole... only as I find them, one by one.
- — Spectre
Spectre (Volume 3) #18 is an issue of the series Spectre (Volume 3) with a cover date of May, 1994.
Synopsis for "Final Judgments"
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 Judgments"
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:
See Also