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Wrath of the Spectre (1988) #2

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"The Nightmare Dummies and...The Spectre": This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #434.

Wrath of the Spectre #2 is an issue of the series Wrath of the Spectre (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 1988.

Synopsis for "The Nightmare Dummies and...The Spectre"

This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #434.

A series of bizarre murders by mannikins draws the attention of law enforcement, Detective Jim Corrigan, and The Spectre. Further investigation leads Corrigan to Monarch Mannikins, whose shipment was involved in said attacks. It is here that he gets a lead that despite mostly being manufactured by machine, a few of the mannikins are still made by hand by Ezekial "Zeke" Borosovitch. When questioned about the possibility of them coming to life and attacking people, Zeke admits that they might do so as they have feelings that most people ignore. By chance, he encounters Gwen, kidnaps her, makes a mannikin in her likeness, and has it attack Corrigan. The attempt fails and Corrigan, as The Spectre, engages with and dispatches Zeke's mannikin army before transforming the mannikin maker himself into one of his former creations. The remaining mannikins, along with the Zeke mannikin, are then burned immediately afterward as Corrigan and Gwen watch, unnoticed by the men doing the job.

Appearing in "The Nightmare Dummies and...The Spectre"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

  • Gwendolyn Sterling

Antagonists:

  • Ezekial "Zeke" Borosovitch (Single appearance; dies)

Other Characters:

  • Frank (Single appearance; dies)
  • Pete (Single appearance; dies)
  • Chris (Single appearance)
  • Mr. Monarch (Single appearance)
  • Karen (Single appearance)

Locations:


Synopsis for "The Man Who Stalked The Spectre"

This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #435.

The Spectre's activities have been noticed by journalist Earl Crawford, who is intrigued by the number of mysterious deaths, disappearances and strange events surrounding criminals during the past eight months. Crawford decides to investigate, despite the objections of his editor. The New York City Police Department assigns the reluctant Detective Jim Corrigan, to take Crawford along with him until the fugitive criminals the Grandenetti brothers (one of whom the Spectre has already killed) are caught. When Crawford attempts to introduce himself, Corrigan interrupts and calls him "Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter."

When one of the Grandenettis barricades himself in a toy store with hostages, Corrigan leaves Crawford behind in order to take lethal action as The Spectre. Crawford later finds a disturbing miniature toy figurine of the missing criminal with an axe lodged in his head. When Crawford returns to police headquarters, he learns the possible whereabouts of the last remaining Grandenetti brother. Crawford goes to warn him that he is in danger from the mysterious presence that is killing criminals in the city.

Crawford finds the criminal's hideout, but his warning is ignored as craziness. As Grandenetti plans to kill Crawford, The Spectre appears and turns the crook into a block of wood before slicing the wood into pieces with a buzzsaw. Crawford's theory that a mysterious being is attacking crooks is confirmed. Horrified by The Spectre's actions, he demands an explanation, but The Spectre simply vanishes. The shocked Crawford is left wondering what to do next.

Appearing in "The Man Who Stalked The Spectre"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

  • The Grandenetti Gang (Single appearance)
    • Jerry Grandenetti (Single appearance; dies)
    • Mitch Grandenetti (Single appearance; dies)
    • Unnamed Grandenetti (Single appearance; dies)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Synopsis for "The Gasmen and...The Spectre"

This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #436.

A group of terrorists use poison gas to massacre 50 or 60 people attending a custom car show in New York City. Lieutenant Jim Corrigan is put in charge of the police investigation. Earl Crawford, the reporter whose story about the "ghost of vengeance" was rejected by his editor, is assigned to cover the incident for his magazine.

The terrorists' leader, the deranged Field Marshall Offel, demands 1 billion dollars in cash from the city or else they will carry out another attack. When the Mayor decides they have no choice but to give in to Offel's demands, Corrigan offers to deliver the money.

Corrigan is met by one of Offel's terrorists at the rendezvous point, who collects the money and kidnaps Corrigan as well. Crawford witnesses the scene and follows the helicopter back to their hideout. When they land, the terrorist pilot tries to kill Corrigan with the poison gas, but this prompts The Spectre to kill him by turning him to stone. After stabbing the remaining two terrorists, The Spectre goes after Offel, who tries to escape on a boat to the ocean. The Spectre prevents this by summoning a giant squid, which eats Offel.

When Crawford arrives at the hideout, he finds the stone statue of the terrorist helicopter pilot. Discovering Jim Corrigan standing near the docks, Crawford asks him if he witnessed any strange force in action. Corrigan simply replies "Nope".

Appearing in "The Gasmen and...The Spectre"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

  • Field Marshall Offel (Single appearance; dies)

Other Characters:

Locations:



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