The Octopus

The Octopus is a shadowy master criminal and recurring nemesis of the Spirit, identifiable only by distinctive striped gloves — their true face and identity kept perpetually hidden. Operating from the shadows, this enigmatic villain became one of the Spirit's most mysterious adversaries.

Few villains in the Golden Age carry an air of mystery quite like The Octopus, who slithered into the pages of The Spirit back in 1947, courtesy of creator Bernard Dibble and the Register and Tribune Syndicate. Haunting the same shadowy corners as Denny Colt, The Spirit, Commissioner Dolan, and the colorful Zitzbath Zark, this enigmatic figure has proven remarkably tenacious — turning up across a remarkable span of nearly 70 years, right through 2017, and even crossing over into the pulp-flavored fun of The Rocketeer / The Spirit: Pulp Friction. With at least one collector-recognized key issue to their name and 37 catalog appearances, The Octopus is the kind of enduring Golden Age presence that reminds you why The Spirit's rogues gallery remains so beloved — worth seeking out for any fan who appreciates the rich, ink-stained world of mid-century comics at their most atmospheric.