The Spectre's Guide to Ironic Punishment (Part 2)

 

I am the Spectre, an avenging spirit of justice. I take great professional pride in administering highly ironic punishments that fit the crimes committed by the scurrying cockroaches of criminality. For example, in my first exploration of Ironic Punishment principles, I used hairstyling implements to punish evil male beauticians...an offbeat yet near textbook example of ironic justice. I shall now chronicle another ironic punishment that took place in Adventure Comics #433 (1974). Using a glowing crystal ball, Swami Seelal swindled untold riches from gullible socialites. When one of his foolish flock notified the con artist her "donations" were halted by her skeptical industrialist husband, the Swami promised to "intercede" on her behalf:

(click on the images for a larger view)

Once the woman left, the Swami ordered his thuggish assistant Smiley to show Mr. Vandergilt some "righteous anger from the astral realm" at one of his construction sites...assuring the cash flow from Mrs. Vandergilt would continue indefinitely!

When I investigated the crime in my guise of police detective Jim Corrigan, the murderous assistant blew up my car with a hand grenade. Arrogantly thinking Corrigan to be dead, the Swami and his assistant only accelerated the timetable for their own highly ironic punishments! Having already dealt with Smiley, my attentions turned to the Swami...using the very instrument of his deceptions to administer my wrath...

 

Comments

[suedenim]

Did the assistant get a suitably ironic death too?

[Mark Engblom]

Not really. Spec had "Smiley" pulled into an open grave by ghostly fiends. I guess it was mildly ironic in the sense that he and his boss pretended to communicate with the spirit world, but I guess Spec saved the major irony for the leader of the various schemes and conspiracies he destroyed.

[suedenim]

Eh, I'd say that's sufficient "henchman irony." Obviously you save the heavy-duty ironic death for the main villain....