The first the Spectre approached a human host, it was the Golden Age of comics, and simpler, cruder storytelling was the norm. Next, it was Hal Jordan that was approached, but he's far from the most grounded or ordinary character. This time, writer Will Pfeifer is able to approach the Spectre/host dynamics from a much more thoughtful and intriguing perspective. It's clear that this issue -- and hopefully, this entire limited series -- has as its foundation a strong focus on characterization over plot. But the book's greatest strength isn't the well-crafted script, but the evocative and involving artwork, courtesy of Cliff Chiang and David Baron.
Gotham City homicide detective Crispus Allen has been murdered, shot by a fellow cop trying to cover up his corruption. Allen leaves behind a sorrowful family, a broken partner and his own murder unpunished. A ghostly embodiment of the Wrath of God -- better known as the Spectre -- appears to him and makes him an offer: to join together to ensure that justice is done, that the wicked know retribution for their crimes. Allen turns it down, opting instead of drift through the ruins of his life and to learn the secrets no one else in Gotham knows.
Chiang's art is absolutely stunning; this stands out as some of his best work to date. He has a great eye for anatomy, and the art is nicely grounded -- the characters' movement comes across as quite genuine. The visual of the Spectre emerging from and entering Allen through his autopsy Y incision is a powerful, memorable visual. The colors here are absolutely haunting, bringing out the supernatural atmosphere and elements of the story incredibly well. The one visual aspect of the comic that struck me as odd was the image of the Spectre with Allen's facial hair. It makes sense in the context of what's happening, but the sight teeters on the edge of being silly. And it's really not necessary, given how the script endeavors to treat Allen and the title character as two distinct personalities.
Pfeifer fills this book with a number of interesting but brief moments that say a lot about how people think and behave. The notion of someone attending his or her own funeral and discovering it to be a rather unfulfilling experience flies in the face of what we all wish: that we'd be moved by how others would remember us or how we'd affected lives. The scene in which Allen seeks out the Batman's secret identity is a well-articulated one as well. The writer examines the importance of the Batman's mask as a symbol, the importance of the mystery surrounding the iconic figure.
We'd all like to think that we serve an important purpose, that we fulfill key roles in the order of things. We all see ourselves as taking on the role of the hero when called upon. The reality is that being self-involved and stubborn is a natural state of mind. That's why I like the idea that even a dedicated cop like Crispus Allen would turn down the Spectre's offer. Allen finally ends up seeking out purpose through the Spectre not because he seeks justice or salvation. He just needs something to do. He craves purpose and structure, and that's another universal truth about the human condition I can buy into for this story. 8/10
