Will Eisner’s The Spirit #1–12 (Dynamite Comics)
Genre
🕵️♂️ Crime Noir, Mystery, Superhero, Action
This series masterfully blends classic detective noir with pulp-style superhero storytelling, offering suspenseful crime-solving, gritty urban drama, and stylized action.
Main Characters
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Denny Colt / The Spirit – A masked vigilante thought to be dead, who fights crime from the shadows of Central City.
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Ellen Dolan – The fiercely intelligent daughter of the Police Commissioner, often torn between duty and her complicated feelings for The Spirit.
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Commissioner Dolan – A hard-nosed lawman who trusts The Spirit more than some of his own officers.
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Mikado Vaas – A shadowy underworld kingpin with global reach and a personal vendetta against The Spirit.
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Sachet Spice – Vaas's enigmatic daughter, caught in a dangerous web of family loyalty and personal redemption.
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Sammy Strunk & Ebony White – Allies of The Spirit, both contributing to the series’ grounded, emotional moments.
Writer
✍️ Matt Wagner – Known for his work on Grendel and Mage, Wagner delivers a respectful yet bold reimagining of Eisner’s legacy, balancing nostalgic reverence with fresh narrative energy.
Artist
🎨 Dan Schkade – Schkade's sharp, noir-infused illustrations channel classic pulp vibes with modern flair. His dynamic page layouts and expressive character work elevate the mood and pace of the series.
Editor Details
🧠 Joseph Rybandt (Executive Editor) – Ensures narrative and visual cohesion across all issues, preserving Eisner’s tone while pushing modern storytelling boundaries.
Publisher and Brand
🏢 Dynamite Entertainment
📚 Brand: Will Eisner’s The Spirit (Legacy Series)
This reboot is not part of DC’s continuities (such as The New 52), but a standalone homage published under Dynamite’s independent licensing.
Release Year
📅 2015–2016
The 12-issue run was released monthly, starting in July 2015 and concluding in June 2016.
Brief Plot Summary
When The Spirit vanishes without a trace, presumed dead for two years, Central City reels in his absence. As new threats emerge and crime takes deeper root, a pair of rookie investigators dig into the mystery of his disappearance. Their search uncovers a vast criminal conspiracy involving Mikado Vaas, a syndicate leader with a vendetta stretching across continents. Meanwhile, The Spirit fights his way back from the shadows—bruised, battered, but never broken. As friends turn against him and old enemies resurface, Denny Colt must confront his past to reclaim his city and identity. 💥🕶️
Notable Arcs or Storylines
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“Who Killed The Spirit?” (Issues #1–4)
Focuses on the investigation into The Spirit’s disappearance, told through the eyes of his protégés. -
“The Awakening” (Issues #5–8)
Marks The Spirit’s return as he unearths Vaas’s network and rekindles old relationships—both romantic and adversarial. -
“Endgame” (Issues #9–12)
A high-stakes showdown against Mikado Vaas and a final confrontation in the heart of Central City that tests The Spirit’s endurance and resolve.
Fan Theories or Interpretations
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🤔 “The Spirit as Symbolic Death and Rebirth” – Many readers view Denny Colt’s resurrection and repeated brushes with death as metaphorical, representing the enduring nature of justice and resilience against corruption.
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🧩 “Sachet Spice as a Mirror to Denny Colt” – Some fans speculate Sachet was written as a foil to The Spirit—trapped in a legacy of violence but yearning for autonomy and redemption.
Review Summary
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4.5/5)
Will Eisner’s The Spirit #1–12 is a loving, sharp, and thrilling continuation of a legendary character. Matt Wagner's script captures the heart of Eisner’s original creation, blending modern storytelling with old-school noir charm. The character work—especially with The Spirit, Ellen, and the conflicted villains—adds real emotional weight. Dan Schkade’s art is gritty and expressive, capturing the pulp tone with cinematic flair. From moody alleyways to punchy brawls, the visual storytelling keeps readers immersed. While some fans may miss the experimental panel work of Eisner himself, this run stands strong as both homage and evolution. 🎩🕶️🖤
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
