"Some might call me a ghost, a Spectre that's in tune with the entire multiverse."

—Oliver Queen^[src]

Spectres are a rare type of spirit that are in tune with the energies of the multiverse, even if it is destroyed.

Quick Answers

What is the process of becoming a Spectre in the multiverse?

To become a Spectre in the multiverse, one is called to a higher purpose, acquiring the ability to manipulate energy, matter, and antimatter. This transformation enables Spectres to traverse dimensions at will, safeguard the multiverse, or even recreate a universe if necessary. Notable Spectres, including Jim Corrigan and Oliver Queen, have transferred this mantle to successors. The precise process may involve time manipulation or other undisclosed elements.

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Who was the first known character to become a Spectre?

Jim Corrigan was the inaugural character to assume the role of a Spectre, a powerful entity. He later transferred this role to Oliver Queen amidst the Anti-Monitor Crisis.

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How did Oliver Queen become a Spectre after his death?

Upon Oliver Queen's demise in the Anti-Monitor Crisis, his soul journeyed to Purgatory. Here, Corrigan transferred the spectre's power to Oliver, declaring it his fate. As the new Spectre, Oliver utilized his abilities to purify the multiverse and revive Barry. He gave up his life once more to establish Earth-Prime and the renewed multiverse, thereafter overseeing the multiverse from Purgatory eternally.

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What is the role of a Spectre within the multiverse?

In the multiverse, Spectres are entities with the power to manipulate energy, matter, and antimatter. They can defend the multiverse and even recreate a universe if necessary. With the ability to travel dimensions freely, Spectres are among the most potent beings in the multiverse. Jim Corrigan and Oliver Queen are known Spectres.

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History

A spectre is created when a deceased individual is "called to a higher purpose".

At some point, Jim Corrigan became a spectre, holding this title for an undisclosed amount of time.^[1]

After Oliver Queen was killed during the Anti-Monitor Crisis, his soul was sent to Purgatory. When John Constantine, John Diggle, and Mia Smoak went there to retrieve Oliver's soul and bring it back to his body they were confronted by Corrigan, who told Oliver that it was "his turn now", and proceeded to pass on the power of the spectre to him, as it was his destiny.^[1]

In 2023, Oliver Queen would use the powers of the Spectre to help Team Flash defend the multiverse from Bloodwork before he once again left the mortal plane.

In the current version of 2049, Oliver is still the current Spectre, having summoned the League and their allies to assist XS and Impulse against Magog's team of villains.

Powers and abilities

Powers

"You'll know what to do when the time comes."
"Why must you cosmic types be so obtuse!?"
"If I knew, I'd tell you."

—Oliver tells Lex that the former doesn't have absolute knowledge^[src]

• Spirit physiology: When the deceased Oliver refused to return to his body and decided to become the Spectre, Oliver was empowered with many spiritual abilities by his mentor, Jim Corrigan, to prepare him for the ultimate battle against the Anti-Monitor. Describing his capabilities as channeling the entire multiverse, even after it was destroyed, Oliver, in this state, proved himself to be even capable of overcoming Mobius and recreating the destroyed multiverse (at least starting from a universe), ultimately making him one of the most powerful beings in existence.^[2]
  • Cosmic knowledge: As the Spectre, Oliver displayed deep knowledge of how reality worked. He even knew that his power would poison the Speed Force if he gave it to Barry to boost his speed. Oliver admitted that while he knew he was to spark the birth of a new universe at the dawn of time, he had no clue how to "fan the flame" to ensure it succeed, something he left Lex Luthor, a mad genius, to figure out.
  • Antimatter manipulation: As the Spectre, Oliver is able to manipulate antimatter to defeat the Anti-Monitor in the dawn of time as upon getting close to Mobius, he was able to disperse his antimatter blast and then, with aid from the Paragons, was able to use it along with matter to explode the Anti-Monitor and recreate the universe, allowing Earth-Prime to be created, although at the cost of his life.^[2]
  • Energy shield: When facing Mobius, Oliver was able to protect himself from Mobius's antimatter blast with a blue barrier of energy that was strong enough to resist all of the Anti-Monitor's efforts to overcome him to get close.^[2]
  • Interdimensional travel: As the Spectre, Oliver can easily travel across dimensions at will as he traveled from Purgatory to the Vanishing Point at ease to warn the Paragons of their next mission. He can also utilize his interdimensional abilities to telepathically project himself in the Speed Force to communicate with Barry Allen.^[2]
  • Bioluminescence: When Oliver’s powers activate, his eyes glow green, just like Jim Corrigan.^[2]
  • Precognition: As the Spectre, Oliver at his dying breath told Barry Allen and Sara Lance the future, warning them that the [[Anti-Monitor Crisis]] is not over yet and that they have a chance to win.^[2]
  • Retrocognition: During Oliver's training in Purgatory, he was able to view past events, like the Siege, his battle with Slade Wilson, his fight with Ra's al Ghul, and his victory over Damien Darhk.^[2]
  • Speed Force connection: Through unexplained ways, Oliver as the Spectre has a connection to the destroyed multiverse's energy, including the Speed Force. He used this connection to the Speed Force to holographically communicate with Barry and help the Paragons navigate their way to the dawn of time to stop Anti-Monitor from making his destruction of the multiverse permanent.^[2] This connection had unforeseen consequences as the Speed Force would die due to being contaminated by the Spectre's energy, until its restoration a few months later.^[3]
    • Chronokinesis: Oliver, via his connection to the (now destroyed) multiverse, was able to navigate the Paragons on their time travel to the Dawn of Time to stop Mobius from enacting his final endgame.^[2]
  • Vessel creation: Somehow as the Spectre, Oliver was able to create a corporeal form to inhabit when he crossed over from purgatory (Limbo) into the real world to rescue and aid the Paragons. In this corporeal human body, Oliver is still capable of dying when he is still inhabiting that body as shown when he over used his Spectre powers to destroy Mobius at the cost of his life.^[2]
  • Levitation: Oliver was able to fly to quickly catch up to the Anti-Monitor in mid-air.^[2]
  • Materiokinesis: As the Spectre, Oliver was able to manipulate Matter as seen when he contained the Anti-Monitor using antimatter and blasted matter waves from his eyes so that the Paragons may create the universe but at the cost of his body vessel.^[2]

"You have no idea what you're asking for. Are you sure?"

—Oliver warning Barry of what Spectre power will do to the Speed Force

• • Power bestowal: When at the Vanishing Point, speaking to the Paragons; Oliver was able to amplify Barry's connection to the Speed Force; in order to travel back in time to defeat the Anti-Monitor. Jim Corrigan was also able to use this to transfer the mantle and the power of the Spectre to Oliver.^[2]
  • Superhuman strength: Oliver was strong enough to restrain the Anti-Monitor with a firm grip to his shoulders, despite the Anti-Monitor displaying strength easily greater than that of Superman of Earth-96 while possessing Harbinger.
  • Resurrection: Oliver caught Barry's soul when Bloodwork killed him; taking him to Purgatory (Limbo) before bringing him back.
  • Multiversal manipulation; Oliver erased all of Bloodwork's tainted meta-human blood in existence. Even curing his HLH, as a form of sarcastic mercy.

Known Spectres

Oliver Queen

Jim Corrigan

Appearances

Constantine

Season 1

• "Danse Vaudou" (vision)
• "Waiting for the Man" (vision)

The Flash

Season 6

• "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three"
• "Death of the Speed Force" (flashbacks)

Season 9

• "It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To"

Arrow

Season 8

• "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Four"
• "Fadeout" (mentioned)

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

Season 5

• "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five" (mentioned)

Trivia

• Spectres are beyond Mar Novu's knowledge. But they are not beyond Mobius', as he knew of Corrigan and showed (minor) respect to Oliver as a Spectre.
• Oliver explained, during Bloodwork's attack, that Spectre's can only intervene when theres is a multiversal threat. This can either be a singular individual, like Anti-Monitor and Bloodwork or a group, like the team Magog put together from other times and Earths. In the first case, it warrants a Spectre person fighting; the latter case is not enough to force a Spectre into combat.
• Spectre powers may be similar to Mar Novu's own, but Spectres can still channel the energy of the Multiverse even after it is destroyed; Novu is dependent on its existence otherwise his powers weaken.
  • Novu only channels what he can perceive; while Spectres are connected naturally. They are connected to positive matter constantly; since energy cannot be destroyed, only transferred.
  • Bloodwork's infection can damage the multiverse and the Specter's powers. Oliver was still the Spectre, but could only manifest as the Green Arrow; due to his powers being dampened.

Behind the scenes

• In DC comics, the Spectre, known as Aztar, is a cosmic entity described as being the "Spirit of Vengeance", the "Wrath of God", and one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe. He is rivalled only by his opposite, the "Spirit of Wrath" known as Eclipso.
  • The Spectre did indeed take part in the Crisis on Infinite Earths comics event and even fought against the Anti-Monitor himself.
• While the Spectre has assumed many different hosts in the comics, this is the first time Oliver Queen has been given the mantle, other than briefly in DC Universe Online.
  • Many other hosts have also been present in the Arrowverse, though haven't assumed the mantle of Spectre, such as Jean Loring, J'onn J'onzz and Madame Xanadu. In addition, though only referenced in the Arrowverse, Hal Jordan also served as a host in the comics.
• In DC comics, the power of the Spectre originates from Heaven and is the wrath of God, while in the Arrowverse the power is referred to as "infernal", presumably meaning that it comes from Hell.
• Another Jim Corrigan appeared in Constantine, being shown shrouded in a green aura through a vision of the future by Zed in "Danse Vaudou", a nod to his future transformation into the Spectre.
  • However, it was the Jim Corrigan in Purgatory who was later shown as the Spectre meaning one of the following three things
    • That the previous version of Jim Corrigan did not become the Spectre, possibly as a result of time manipulation or Zed mistaking the two Jim Corrigans for each other.
    • Jim did become the Spectre and eventually passed it onto his Purgatory counterpart.
    • Jim becomes the Spectre at an even later date, possibly in the new multiverse.

References