Golden Age Gay (later "Grim") Ghost Appreciation 2021

[MajorHoy]

First appearance: Sensation Comics #1 (January 1942)


Back in 1942, the term "gay" didn't necessarily have the same general connotation as it would gain in later years. So when DC decided to bring back the character in the late 1980s, he had a slight name change:

from Secret Origins #42 (July 1989)

Also worth noting was that the name "Grim Ghost" had been previously used by Atlas / Seaboard comics in 1975.

[Thor-Ul]

And if someone is wonder self about it, yes, the joke was made, eventually:

animal-man-25.jpg

He knew what it would happen.

[SecretWarrior]

I could see DC retconning/evolving this identity into being the equivalent of "Black Lightning," with a new Gay Ghost defending a gay community and wanting everyone to know he's gay.

[MajorHoy]

And if someone is wonder self about it, yes, the joke was made, eventually:

animal-man-25.jpg

He knew what it would happen.

That was in Animal Man #25 from 1990.


However, in the History of the DC Universe from 1986, they were already referring to him as the "Grim Ghost":

[MajorHoy]

. . . However, in the History of the DC Universe from 1986, they were already referring to him as the "Grim Ghost":

And from
Who's Who: The Definitive Guide to the DC Universe Vol. IX (November 1985)

[Shimbo]

Honestly, I'm currently cracking up at such a 180 name change haha. Gay and Grim are literally antonyms of each other haha.