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, which he plans to bring to life and become his servants. The ghost of Van Ruyter’s appears to her. The ghost has no hands, which he lost when he committed suicide (by thrusting his hands under a moving oxcart). He killed himself so he would not continue creating art for The Ghoul. Van Ruyter has Betty paint a new portrait of The Ghoul, sending the creature and its minions into oblivion. 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.
Creators/Key Contributors Frank Belknap Long, Max Elkan
First Appearance Adventures into the Unknown #2 (Dec. 1948)
First Publisher American Comics Group / ACG [CB+] [DCM] [GCD]
Appearance List Adventures into the Unknown #2
Sample Read Adventures Into the Unknown [DCM] [CB+]
Description 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, which he plans to bring to life and become his servants. The ghost of Van Ruyter’s appears to her. The ghost has no hands, which he lost when he committed suicide (by thrusting his hands under a moving oxcart). He killed himself so he would not continue creating art for The Ghoul. Van Ruyter has Betty paint a new portrait of The Ghoul, sending the creature and its minions into oblivion. 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.
