Batman and the Spectre, together again for the first time. This issue of Detective Comics treats their partnership as if it’s the first time, yet Batman knows of the Spectre already. Granted, he’s Batman, so he should know, but would he be aware of God’s spirit of vengeance walking the earth, punishing evil-doers in the most gruesome of ways? If he did hear of it, would he believe it?

For fans of the character, this is a wonderful interpretation. The story may re-introduce the Spectre for current audiences, returning him to his original host, executed police detective Jim Corrigan. My only complaint – a minor one – is that Corrigan is provided little character development.

But perhaps that may be best left to an ongoing series, should DC Comics pursue that option. DC has been testing the waters with many of its long-dormant characters. Certainly, the Spectre is worthy of such experimentation. If this is a sign that DC Comics may bring the character back, I’m all for it, especially he is presented as Michael Fleischer and Jim Aparo did back in Adventure Comics in the mid-1970s.

If writer Peter J. Tomasi helms a Spectre revival (I hesitate to call it a resurrection), I’m fine with that too. He’s clearly researched him, acknowledging the character’s origins with sub-references to co-creator Bernard Bailey as well as Fleischer. Artist Kyle Hotz also touches upon those stories briefly. The artwork is eerily moody, and Kyle Hotz no small skill in conveying menace as well as the supernatural.