Gay Ghost
Encyclopedia
The Gay Ghost is a fictional superhero
in the DC Comics
universe
, whose first appearance
was in Sensation Comics
#1 (Jan. 1942), published by one DC's predecessor companies, All-American Publications
. He was created by writer Gardner Fox
and artist Howard Purcell
.
Vol. 2, #42 (July 1989). Most recently, he appeared in Animal Man
#25 (July 1990).
Keith Everet, the Earl of Strethmere, is killed by footpads as he was on his way to propose to his beloved Deborah Wallace. After his death, he encounters his ancestors, who return him to life in return for a vow to fight for justice. There is one catch: he has to wait for Deborah Wallace, who has emigrated to America
before he can return.
Everet's spirit haunts his castle until 1941, when the last remaining descendant of Deborah Wallace, who shares her name, returns to Ireland together with Charles Collins, her would-be fiance. Unfortunately they come to the castle at the same time as some Nazi saboteurs and Collins is killed.
Seeing his beloved Deborah in danger, Everet takes over Collins' body, deals with the saboteurs and returns with Deborah back to America.
's run on Animal Man
conjectures that all characters which were once published by DC comics but are no longer active are sent to a dimension called "Limbo
", where they remain until they are revived by returning to active publication. Characters never remember being in limbo. In Animal Man #25, Animal Man becomes the first character to visit limbo while still "current" and encounters a large number of old Golden Age and Silver Age DC comic book characters. The Gay Ghost is among them, but he says that he does not want to be "brought back," since the colloquial meaning of the word gay
has changed since the character was created in the 1940s, and he is not himself a homosexual
.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
in the DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
, whose first appearance
First appearance
In comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a fictional character.-Monetary value of first appearance issues:...
was in Sensation Comics
Sensation Comics
Sensation Comics is the title of a comic book series published by DC Comics that ran for 109 issues between 1942 and 1952. For most of its run, the lead feature was Wonder Woman. Other series that appeared were the Black Pirate, the Gay Ghost, Mr...
#1 (Jan. 1942), published by one DC's predecessor companies, All-American Publications
All-American Publications
All-American Publications is one of three American comic book companies that combined to form the modern-day DC Comics, one of the world's two largest comics publishers...
. He was created by writer Gardner Fox
Gardner Fox
Gardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer best known for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic-book historians estimate that he wrote over 4,000 comics stories....
and artist Howard Purcell
Howard Purcell
Howard Purcell was an American comic-book artist and writer active from the 1940s Golden Age of comics through the 1960s Silver Age....
.
Publication history
The Gay Ghost appeared in Sensation Comics #1-13, 15-33, and 38, his last appearance until Secret OriginsSecret Origins
Secret Origins is the title of three American comic book series published by DC Comics.The title began in 1961 and for one issue, all reprints. The title Secret Origins of Super Heroes went onto a second series, also reprints, which ran for seven issues from 1973-1974...
Vol. 2, #42 (July 1989). Most recently, he appeared in Animal Man
Animal Man
Animal Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals...
#25 (July 1990).
Fictional character biography
In 1700s IrelandKingdom of Ireland
The Kingdom of Ireland refers to the country of Ireland in the period between the proclamation of Henry VIII as King of Ireland by the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 and the Act of Union in 1800. It replaced the Lordship of Ireland, which had been created in 1171...
Keith Everet, the Earl of Strethmere, is killed by footpads as he was on his way to propose to his beloved Deborah Wallace. After his death, he encounters his ancestors, who return him to life in return for a vow to fight for justice. There is one catch: he has to wait for Deborah Wallace, who has emigrated to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
before he can return.
Everet's spirit haunts his castle until 1941, when the last remaining descendant of Deborah Wallace, who shares her name, returns to Ireland together with Charles Collins, her would-be fiance. Unfortunately they come to the castle at the same time as some Nazi saboteurs and Collins is killed.
Seeing his beloved Deborah in danger, Everet takes over Collins' body, deals with the saboteurs and returns with Deborah back to America.
Limbo
Grant MorrisonGrant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
's run on Animal Man
Animal Man
Animal Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals...
conjectures that all characters which were once published by DC comics but are no longer active are sent to a dimension called "Limbo
Limbo (DC Comics)
Limbo refers to a fictional location in books published by DC Comics. Limbo first appeared in Ambush Bug #3 , and was created by Keith Giffen.-History:In Ambush Bug Limbo refers to a fictional location in books published by DC Comics. Limbo first appeared in Ambush Bug (vol. 1) #3 (August 1985),...
", where they remain until they are revived by returning to active publication. Characters never remember being in limbo. In Animal Man #25, Animal Man becomes the first character to visit limbo while still "current" and encounters a large number of old Golden Age and Silver Age DC comic book characters. The Gay Ghost is among them, but he says that he does not want to be "brought back," since the colloquial meaning of the word gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
has changed since the character was created in the 1940s, and he is not himself a homosexual
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
.