Ghosts Comic Series: A History of DC's Supernatural Anthology
Launched in 1971, Ghosts was a cornerstone of DC Comics' foray into the horror-mystery-suspense genre. Alongside titles like The Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love and The Sinister House of Secret Love, it provided readers with a curated collection of supernatural tales designed to thrill and unsettle.
While not necessarily a critical darling among fans of the era, the series proved to be a commercial success. Paul Levitz, a DC Comics writer and executive, noted that while the title wasn't a fan favorite, it was a disproportionately strong seller during its run.
Key Facts
- Creator: Leo Dorfman wrote all stories for the debut issue.
- Cover Art: Nick Cardy served as the primary cover artist for the majority of the run (issues #1–6, 8–15, and 17–36).
- Format: An anthology featuring multiple supernatural stories per issue.
- Run Duration: Published from 1971 until issue #112 in May 1982.
- Modern Revival: A one-shot was released in October 2012 under the Vertigo imprint.
The Creative Origins and Pseudonyms
The series was spearheaded by Leo Dorfman. To prevent the appearance that a single writer was monopolizing the content, editor Murray Boltinoff encouraged Dorfman to use pseudonyms. Dorfman wrote under the names "Geoff Brown" (inspired by his son Geoff and his wife's maiden name, Brown) and "David George."
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Structure and Evolution of the Series
Each issue of Ghosts followed a specific narrative formula. Stories began with a short premise and concluded with a summation explaining how a form of mysterious justice was delivered to the evildoers. Interestingly, the first issue's indicia (the publishing information section) listed the title as the singular Ghost, though it was marketed and titled as the plural Ghosts everywhere else.
Special Editions and New Features
In December 1974, the Limited Collectors' Edition #C–32 was released, reprinting stories from issues #1 and 3–6, while adding new material from Leo Dorfman and artists Gerry Talaoc, E. R. Cruz, and Frank Redondo.
Starting with issue #37 in April 1975, the comic introduced a regular feature titled "Ghosts and the Supernatural." This one-page introductory spread consisted of single-panel depictions of alleged ghost sightings, styled similarly to the famous Believe it or Not! features by Robert L. Ripley.
Recurring Characters and Hosts
For most of its existence, Ghosts lacked a recurring host to frame the stories. However, the series eventually introduced continuing characters:
- Dr. 13 - The Ghost-Breaker: Introduced in issue #95 (December 1980), this character appeared in a three-issue arc featuring the Spectre, lasting until issue #102.
- Squire Shade: Introduced in issue #104 (September-October 1981), Shade served as the title's official host until the series was cancelled with issue #112.
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Publication Summary
| Milestone/Issue | Date | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Issue #1 | 1971 | Series launch; written by Leo Dorfman |
| Issue #37 | April 1975 | Introduction of "Ghosts and the Supernatural" page |
| Ghosts Special | December 1977 | Published as part of DC Special Series |
| Issue #95 | December 1980 | Debut of Dr. 13 - The Ghost-Breaker |
| Issue #104 | Sept-Oct 1981 | Squire Shade becomes the series host |
| Issue #112 | May 1982 | Final issue of the original run |
| Vertigo One-Shot | October 2012 | Story by Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the original Ghosts comic?
The comic was created by Leo Dorfman, who wrote all the stories in the first issue, often using the pseudonyms "Geoff Brown" and "David George" to avoid appearing as the sole writer.
Who was the primary cover artist for the series?
Nick Cardy provided the cover art for a significant portion of the run, specifically issues #1–6, 8–15, and 17–36.
Did the comic have a recurring host?
For most of its run, it did not. However, Squire Shade was introduced as the host in issue #104 and remained in that role until the series ended with issue #112.
What was the "Ghosts and the Supernatural" feature?
Introduced in issue #37, this was a one-page spread featuring single-panel depictions of alleged ghost sightings, inspired by the style of Robert L. Ripley's Believe it or Not!
Was there a modern version of Ghosts?
Yes, a one-shot issue was published in October 2012 under DC's Vertigo imprint, featuring a story by writers Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire.