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[Andrew999]

Eightieth anniversary of The Spirit today - how are you going to celebrate?

The Spirit's first appearance was in a 16-page comic insert for the Register and Tribune Syndicate (according to Wikipedia). I confess I didn't come across him until the 1980s and then it was a case of tracking down every possible reprint from the past in whatever format that I could find.

There was a 1987 TV movie that I've never seen - has anyone else seen it? What did you think of it?

There was also the frankly disappointing 2008 movie, hampered by a Samuel L Jackson performance out of control and a bland Gabriel Macht - but like the curate's egg, it was good in parts. I liked Eva Mendes - a raw and spirited (sic) performance.

It would be great to see a TV series - that provides a broader canvas in which the characters can be explored more naturally.

[SuperScrounge]

There was a 1987 TV movie that I've never seen - has anyone else seen it? What did you think of it?

I enjoyed it. I haven't seen it rerun since though. I believe it was a pilot that didn't sell.

As a kid I had a friend who collected the Kitchen Sink reprints, so I tried reading them, but he just didn't grab me. A three-piece suit as a costume? No powers? Not even fancy gadgets? Not what I was reading comics for in those days.    I find the stories more interesting these days as my tastes have changed.

[The Australian Panther]

There was also the frankly disappointing 2008 movie, hampered by a Samuel L Jackson performance out of control and a bland Gabriel Macht - but like the curate's egg, it was good in parts. I liked Eva Mendes - a raw and spirited (sic) performance. 

This was one where I read the reviews and wrote off the movie. The Octopus, in the strip, is only ever a pair of gloves.[Obviously referenced for the James Bond Villain Blofeld, and the Dr Solar villain Nuro] As soon as I saw that Samuel L Jackson was playing it, I wasn't interested. It's like Stallone - who I like in many movies but not all- Plalying Judge Dredd withour a facemask, because he's the star and must be seen. I've been disappointed enough by the newer Spirit renditions in the comic books [some of which are good but they don't effectively channel Will Eisner] to be hanging out waiting for a TV Spirit. Adaptions always become the Director's project so they are substantially changed. And now they have to be politically correct So Ellen would know Karate and be bi-sexual and Ebony would be an ex-gang member and a hacker eligible for a Nobel Prize. And the police chief would be corrupt. No thanks!   

[gregjh]

I recently discovered The Spirit through the Fizzpop youtube channel and this great website. I've enjoyed reading!

[Andrew999]

A reprint of Pete Hamill's iconic interview from 1975 - well worth the admission:

https://www.villagevoice.com/2020/08/16/the-spirit-strikes-back/