DC Showcase: The Spectre (2010)

A short animated film, DC Showcase: The Spectre (2010), was directed by Joaquim Dos Santos and written by Steve Niles. Detective Jim Corrigan, played by Gary Cole, takes on the identity of the Spectre to bring justice to his suspects. Foster Brenner, a well-known film producer, meets his demise when a bomb planted under the diving board of his swimming pool detonates. Though the case has been entrusted to Lt. Brice, Jim Corrigan continues investigating due to his romantic relationship with Aimee, Foster’s daughter. Upon interviewing Flemming, Brenner’s butler, Jim views surveillance footage of two masked men planting the bomb at the complex. Flemming reveals that some of Brenner’s close associates were upset about being left out in his recent films and provides their names upon Jim’s request. Later that night at a special effects warehouse, Drew Flynn, a special effects designer, encounters a man resembling Foster who accuses him of the murder before transforming into the Spectre himself.

Using his powers, the Spectre animates models and animatronic film monsters to attack and kill Flynn. He then confronts Peter McCoy, another suspect, by crushing him with his car. After inspecting a suitcase of money that McCoy was trying to flee with, the Spectre arrives at Aimee’s house unnoticed by phasing through the wall. In a casual tone, Jim tells Aimee that she has what it takes to be an actress in her father’s films. Upon further investigation, Jim deduces that Aimee was responsible for providing Flynn and McCoy with the correct access code to her father’s estate, which led to them opening the briefcase filled with money. In an attempt to distract him, Aimee asks if they can still be together while reaching for a pistol in a desk drawer. However, Jim declines and she fires shots at him. Unaffected by the bullets passing through his body, Jim coldly proclaims he is already deceased before transforming into the Spectre.