Ghost of Flanders
Created by George E. Brenner
NAME + ALIASES:
"Rip" Graves
KNOWN RELATIVES:
None
GROUP AFFILIATIONS:
US Army
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Hit Comics #18 (December 1941)
APPEARANCES:
Hit Comics #18–25 (December 1941–December 1942)
The Ghost of Flanders was not one of George Brenner’s finest creations. The premise of the hero’s backstory had some significant holes. “Rip” Graves was reported dead at Flanders, an exceptionally bloody site in World War I. Graves had actually survived, but when he finally returned to the United States, he found that he’d been honored as the “Unknown Soldier” at the tomb in Washington D.C. Instead of reclaiming his civilian life, he made the odd decision to take up residence beneath the Unknown Soldier’s crypt. In secret, he battled for his country as the Ghost of Flanders. (Hit #18)
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Notes
“Rip” is usually a nickname for “Ripley” (but also stands for “Rest In Peace”). Nothing was ever revealed about Graves’ personal life.
The first American Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated in Nov. 1921. It does in fact contain the remains of an unidentified soldier from World War I.
Powers
The Ghost of Flanders had no super-powers. He was an exceptional hand-to-hand fighter with military training, and handy with throwing knives. He could also pilot planes.