| The Ghoul | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
unknown |
|
First Appearance |
Adventures into the Unknown #2 (Dec. 1948) |
|
Original Publisher |
ACG |
|
Created by |
Frank Belknap Long, Max Elkan |
Origin
The Ghoul is a supernatural creature, at least as old as the 15th century. The Ghoul appears to Betty Saunders, who is the world's foremost expert on the artist, Kees Van Ruyters. The Ghoul hires Betty to paint new artwork in the horrific style of Van Ruyter. Betty flies to Belgium for the job, moving into The Ghoul's mansion to do her work. She soon realizes The Ghoul's identity as a subject of one of Van Ruyter's paintings.
The Ghoul reveals his intentions to have her paint ghastly creatures to come to life become his evil servants. The ghost of Van Ruyter's appears to her. The ghost has no hands, as he lost them when he committed suicde by thrusting his hands under a moving oxcart. He killed himself so he would not continue creating art for The Ghoul. Van Ruyter's has Betty paint a new portrait of The Ghoul, sending the creature and its minions into oblivion.
Powers and abilities
The Ghoul can become incorporeal, appearing and disappearing at will. It becomes selectively visible. It flies at the speed of a propeller-driven airliner with its vast, feathered wings. It controls a group of demonic servants created by Van Ruyter's paintings.
Appearances
- Adventures into the Unknown #2