Haunt (comics)
A priest and his brother's ghost merge into one superhero.
Haunt is an American comic book published by Image Comics, created by Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman. The series debuted in October 2009 and ended in December 2012 after 28 issues. Set in the Image Universe, the eponymous superhero is the merged form of Catholic priest Daniel Kilgore and the ghost of his murdered secret agent brother, Kurt.
Quick Facts
- Character name
- Haunt
- Publisher
- Image Comics
- Debut
- Haunt #1 (October 2009)
- Creators
- Todd McFarlane; Robert Kirkman
- Full name
- Daniel Kilgore and Kurt Kilgore
- Species
- Human (Daniel Kilgore); Ghost (Kurt Kilgore)
- Homeworld
- Earth
- Alliances
- The Scorched
Facts from the source article.
Background and creation
At the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con, Todd McFarlane called on a fan in the audience during a Q&A. That fan was Robert Kirkman, who stood up and said he was a fan, then asked why McFarlane had stopped making comics. McFarlane, who did not recognize him, replied that if you can create your own Mickey Mouse, you don’t need to make a Donald Duck or a Goofy, and that he had arguably done that with Spawn. He added that he had ideas but could only do so much. Fellow panelist Brian Haberlin told McFarlane the fan was Kirkman. After some jokes, McFarlane asked if Kirkman would collaborate on a project, and Kirkman agreed. The character Kurt was named after Kurt Vonnegut, and Daniel after Vonnegut’s character Kilgore Trout. In 2007, they announced a new comic called Haunt, planned for early 2008. In July 2008, Kirkman said the book was delayed due to artist issues, before Ryan Ottley and Greg Capullo joined the art team, with McFarlane drawing covers. In February 2009, Image sent teaser images to Comic Book Resources showing the first artwork. The teaser pointed to a summer 2009 launch, but no firm date came until July, when Image set the premiere for October 7, 2009. McFarlane took the blame for the delays, saying he did not want to put out a solicitation just for the sake of it. That July, a limited edition 16-page preview book appeared at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.
Characters
Daniel Kilgore starts as an associate priest before leaving the Church to work for an organization called the Agency. His brother, Kurt Kilgore, was an Agency agent who died. The two were estranged, but after Kurt’s murder is solved and the Agency trains Daniel, they grow closer. The entity known as Haunt is formed when Kurt’s spirit merges with Daniel’s body, using Kurt’s spiritual tether to generate ectoplasm. Director Beth Tosh, who was Kurt’s lover, now runs the Agency. Another of Kurt’s former lovers, an agent named Mirage, keeps an eye on Daniel’s progress. Assistant Director Theresa Rhodes is a sleeper agent within the Agency and played a key role in Kurt’s death. Mr. Hurg, a polyamorous crime boss obsessed with fitness and health, ordered Kurt’s murder and is a formidable fighter. The assassin Cobra, hired by Mr. Hurg, has his face disfigured by Haunt; reconstructive surgery leaves him resembling his namesake. Amanda Kilgore is Kurt’s widow and was once Daniel’s lover, but their relationship ended because of her affair with Kurt. Daniel’s current girlfriend, Autumn Mueller, previously worked as a prostitute under the name Charity. Former Agency director Morgan Stantz only got involved in major situations and was killed in issue 5. Alegria, a spiritual test subject of Doctor Shillinger, can see Kurt’s ghost. The Apparition is a new enemy for the Kilgore brothers, possessing the same powers as Haunt but with greater strength and speed. Purgatory is a demonic beast that gathers lost souls. Deacon Larkin leads the Second Church. Still Harvey Tubman is the final conductor between the astral and physical planes. Father Pearson, a deceased Second Church priest, was brought back as a fire golem.
Reception
Less than a week before the release of Haunt #1, online columnist Rich Johnston reported that comic book retailers pre-ordered nearly 60,000 copies, more than a typical issue of The Amazing Spider-Man. Haunt #1 received mixed reviews. Jason Green of Playback:stl described the issue as weird, wildly violent, but a visceral thrill thanks to the dark, evocative artwork, praising the creators for meshing perfectly. Jesse Schedeen of IGN said Kirkman did not offer his usual magic, finding Daniel and Kurt lacking depth and the series cheerless and overly serious. Chad Nevett of Comic Book Resources called the artwork disappointing, criticizing the book for reading like a parody of itself with dark characters, excessive violence, and a character design influenced by McFarlane's work on Spider-Man. Haunt's design was also considered similar to symbiotes in Spider-Man.
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