As we drift away from the Mexican Civic Celebrations and
transition into the Spooky Season, I’d like to indulge myself by sharing a
personal revelation that made me think about a character archetype that’s
become sort of a staple in paranormal-themed stories. So, put on your black turtleneck sweater, study your pentagrams and ancient runes, grab your camera and tape recorder, light up a cigarette, and follow me down this paranormal mystery path.
Back in the mid-80s, when I was a pimpled faced teenager dabbling in
drawing comics, I penciled and inked a splash page for an idea I honestly
thought was originally mine, based on characters that intrigued and had a
strong appeal for me (sadly I threw the page away, otherwise I’d love sharing
it here): it was a full frontal shot of a heroic looking man facing away from a bookcase, hair slicked backwards, wearing a turtle neck and a
jacket, standing spread legged with arms ready for action, looking at a malevolent
entity out of frame, its huge menacing shadow looming over him. The title of this
story, drawn in big, bold letters above the page, was “Specter, Searcher of the
Unknown”.
It was intended to be a story about a paranormal
investigator going against diabolical cults and hell spawns.
I knew he was
based on characters I’d seen before (mainly Jack Kirby’s Jason Blood),
but until recently, found out he was a spot-on copy from a TV movie I probably
saw as a very young child but had since then forgotten: Robert Culp’s 1977“Spectre”, produced and co-written by Star Trek’s creator Gene Roddenberry.So much for my original idea.
Anyway, this got me thinking about this character trope that
was particularly appealing to my young self, which seems to have its origins decades
before and is still going strong today, albeit with slight changes: the fearless paranormal detective.
For some reason this heroic figure caught my attention and held on, so I thought about taking a look at what he (or she) is and why it burnt such an indelible impression on me.
I’m not going to go into a deep dive into its appearances in fiction, but I will share at the end of this blog, a list of the ones that came to mind while writing this.
The origins of this particular type of hero go way back in literature, but to me, Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of its best primal examples (although more than detectives, the heroes of this particular story are a close-related subtype that deserves its own analysis: the Vampire hunter). Jonathan Harker, Quincey Morris, John Seward, Arthur Holmwood and Mina Murray Harker, led by Professor Van Helsing, are thrown into a tangled murder mystery that slowly reveals itself as the work of a supernatural being, Count Dracula. They search ancient castles, cemeteries, mausoleums and old abbeys, among other creepy locations, looking for clues that will eventually lead them to a climactic face off against this powerful evil creature and its minions. Modern versions of these characters can be found, among other places, in Marvel Comic's 1970's Tomb of Dracula.
Initially, the supernatural detective made appearances in pulps and noir fiction. Some of H.P. Lovecraft's protagonists (those who were not driven into madness at the sight of cosmic horrors) come to mind, as well as early comicbook characters such as 1935s Doctor Occult (created by Superman's Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster) or the Phantom Stranger (created in 1952) who both look like classic fedora-hat-wearing gumshoes. John Constantine, introduced in 1985 and portrayed on the big screen by Keanu Reeves two decades later, with his trenchcoat and ever-present cigarette, feels like their modern heir.
Comic books have evolved this archetype into full-fledged superheroes. Take
Jason Blood, for example—created in 1972, he's an adventurer and expert in the occult and demonology. Seemingly immortal (born in the 6th century), he was mystically fused with the demon Etrigan by Merlin the wizard. When danger arises, Jason can summon Etrigan to take his place, much like Bruce Banner unleashing the Hulk.
More superhero than detective,
Doctor Strange exemplifies a modern twist on the archetype. Once a brilliant surgeon, he loses the precision in his hands after a car accident and must turn to the occult to reclaim purpose. Through rigorous study, he becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, tasked with defending Earth from paranormal threats that emerge from other planes of existence.
Created by Mike Mignola in 1993 and brought to the big screen in 2004 (originally portrayed by Ron Perlman),
Hellboy is a half-demon who joins the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.) to battle the forces of darkness. Rooted in Lovecraftian horror and pulp fiction, Hellboy blends brute strength with dry wit, navigating a world of ancient evils and arcane mysteries with a trench coat, a stone fist, and a reluctant sense of duty.
Leaning more toward detective than superhero, Doctor Adam Spektor—Western Publishing’s Gold Key Comics— was featured in various publications, including his own title
The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor, which ran for 24 issues between 1973 and 1977, Spektor faced off against vampires, mummies, werewolves, and other supernatural threats. Alongside his Sioux secretary, Lakota Rainflower, he tackled these dark forces with intellect, courage, and a deep understanding of the occult.
One of the finest examples of the paranormal detective story made its way to the big screen in 1968’s
The Devil Rides Out from Hammer films, starring none other than Christopher Lee. Based on Dennis Wheatley’s 1934 novel, Lee portrays Nicholas, Duc de Richleau—an expert in the occult who uncovers a devil-worshipping cult. This film embodies the quintessential paranormal detective narrative: the protagonist, aided by a small group of allies, pieces together clues that reveal the cult’s existence, culminating in a dramatic confrontation during a black mass, where robed zealots attempt to summon a literal demon.
I would be remiss not to include my favorite Paranormal Detectives in this list:
the Scooby Gang! who made their first appearance in September, 1969.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was a noticeable boom in stories featuring paranormal detective-type characters—likely fueled by the success of films like Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, and The Omen. During this period, television embraced supernatural themes, spawning a wave of TV movies and series. One standout character was investigative reporter
Carl Kolchak, portrayed by Darren McGavin in The Night Stalker (1972), The Night Strangler (1973), and the 1974–75 series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Kolchak was a wisecracking, irreverent journalist and the only one who believed the supernatural events unfolding in modern-day Chicago. Week after week, he researched how to defeat the monster of the week, and even when terrified, found the courage to confront evil head-on—only to have his reports dismissed as outlandish fiction. It was fun, clever storytelling that still holds up today. Writer-producer Chris Carter cited Kolchak as a major inspiration for his own long-running hit,
The X-Files (1993), starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson—a prime example of a contemporary and wildly successful paranormal detective series.
Prior to the 1977's TV movie Spectre I mentioned before, another very similar turtleneck-sweatered paranormal detective made his appearance in a TV pilot which aired as a movie of the week just to be immediately canceled: 1973's The Norliss Tapes, starring Roy Thinnes. Another great example of this type of character which ultimately didn't connect with audiences, but still lots of fun to watch.
Another standout from 1973,
The Legend of Hell House, features another one of my favorite actors, Roddy McDowall (also sporting a signature turtleneck) as part of a team of paranormal investigators—rather than detectives—who possess deep knowledge of the occult. While slightly different in archetype, this kind of character still resonates today, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of
The Conjuring universe, starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson.
Unlike the paranormal detective, who often stumbles upon occult forces while solving a mystery, the
paranormal investigator begins their journey already immersed in the supernatural. Their initial mission is to actively research and confront phenomena that defy rational explanation.
After the high-activity period of the late '60s and early '70s, the paranormal detective archetype has continued to appear in pop culture, albeit more sporadically. Even when the stories aren’t strictly supernatural, they often echo the structure and tone of the genre. A prime example is 1
986’s The Name of the Rose, based on Umberto Eco’s novel and starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater. While not a paranormal tale, it shares many of the genre’s hallmarks—an isolated setting, mysterious deaths, and a protagonist unraveling a dark conspiracy. Much like Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles or Agatha Christie’s Hallowe’en Party, the resolution ultimately reveals a rational explanation, but the journey is steeped in atmosphere and suspense that mirrors the paranormal detective’s path.
A delightfully offbeat entry from this era is the
1991 TV movie Cast a Deadly Spell, set in a parallel universe where magic is commonplace. Starring Fred Ward as detective H.P. Lovecraft (get it?), the film blends noir sensibilities with supernatural absurdity. It’s a must-watch if, as the Monty Python crew might say, you're in the mood for “something completely different.”
Even Arnold Schwarzenegger took a swing at the genre, playing brooding former NYPD detective Jericho Cane in
1999’s End of Days. Drawn into a mystery that escalates into a battle with Gabriel Byrne’s Satan himself, Cane embodies the reluctant paranormal hero archetype. If you can look past the clunky early CGI, it’s an intriguing watch that blends action, apocalyptic horror, and occult themes in a way that’s very much of its time—but still entertaining.
Another standout from 1999 was Tim Burton’s reimagining of Washington Irving’s classic tale
Sleepy Hollow, transforming Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane into a reluctant yet unyielding detective. Tasked with solving a string of grisly murders, Crane must rely on logic and rational thinking to confront a very real, head-chopping supernatural threat.
As previously noted, the paranormal detective stands apart from its close counterparts: the vampire/monster/ghost hunter, and the paranormal investigator. The former is typically engaged in actively hunting and eliminating supernatural threats—examples include
Blade, Hugh Jackman's
Van Helsing, the Winchester brothers from
Supernatural, or even the
Ghostbusters. In contrast, the paranormal investigator focuses on studying and documenting unexplained phenomena, such as the Warrens in The Conjuring universe, mentioned above.
The paranormal investigator often carries a shadowed or tragic past. Tormented—though not the case of the Scooby gang (unless you count an insatiable case of the munchies as torment)—this character typically possesses a working knowledge of the occult. Initially summoned to solve a mystery, they soon uncover a deeper, more sinister truth. They’re the one who warns the authorities “You don’t know what you’re dealing with!” and despite fear, they face demonic forces head-on—armed not with recklessness, but with research and preparation. They’re not crazy (at least not clinically so), and certainly not suicidal.
This is the figure who victoriously staggers away from a haunted house engulfed in flames or a smoldering ancient altar, drained in body and spirit, having cast a demon back into the pit—or sometimes died trying, as Gregory Peck’s ill-fated hero Robert Thorn did in
The Omen.
That’s the appeal of this often tragic, tormented archetype. They rarely possess superhuman powers beyond their occult knowledge, but they wield immense willpower. They’re survivors—intelligent, street-smart, and unafraid to plunge into terrifying places and confront the abyss and its minions.
They are the rational confronting the irrational. A fighter. And sometimes, thanks to their deeper understanding, a wiseass. What’s not to love?
And I suppose that’s why this archetype resonates so strongly with me. It embodies courage, skill, and the rational mind standing firm against irrational fear.
In today’s chaotic world, where mayhem and horror seem ever-present, perhaps we need more fictional heroes like these—figures who inspire us and help us make sense of the madness.
The universe is a scary place. But this archetipe has inspired me to face my deepest fears with intellect, determination, and a touch of defiant wit.
Friedrich Nietzsche once warned,
“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”
To which I say… Bring it on.
Thanks for sticking with me all the way down here. If you're curious to dive deeper into this rabbit hole, I’ve included a few links below that you might want to check out, along with a list of many of the stories and characters I considered while writing this piece.
I’ve also added a couple of links if you’re interested in exploring the quirky Mexican subgenre of paranormal detectives—the legendary luchadores! Trust me, it’s a wild ride.
And, finally, here's my own partial chronological list of Paranormal Investigators in Fiction:
1897 Dracula - Vampire Hunters, Bram Stoker, Gothic Horror Novel
1928 Call of Cthulhu H.P. Lovecraft, Short Stories
1935 Doctor Occult Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Comicbook
1952 Phantom Stranger Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, Comicbook
1957 Night of the Demon directed by Jacques Tourneur, starring Dana Andrews, Horror Film
1963 Doctor Strange Created by Steve Ditko, Comicbook
1963 Doctor Who British Sci Fi time traveling adventurer
1965 Dark Intruder Leslie Nielsen, TV Movie
1968 The Devil Rides Out, based on the 1934 novel of the same title, Christopher Lee, Movie
1968 Rosemary's Baby Mia Farrow, Movie
1969 Scooby Doo, Where are You? Created by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears for Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon
1972 Kolchak Darren McGavin TV Movie & Series
1972 The Demon / Jason Blood Created by Jack Kirby, Comicbook
1972 The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor Created by writer Donald F. Glut and artist Dan Spiegle, Comicbook
1972 Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze, Created by. Roy Thomas, Gary Friedrich and Mike Ploog, Comicbook
1972 The Tomb of Dracula - Vampire Hunters, Various writers and artists, Marvel Comics, Comicbook
1973 Blade (vampire hunter who first appeared in the Tomb of Dracula Marvel Comic)
1973 The Norliss Tapes Roy Thinnes, TV Movie
1973 The Legend of Hell House, Roddy McDowall, Movie
1973 The Exorcist Lee J. Cobb as Lieutenant William F. Kinderman, Movie
1975 Race With the Devil, Peter Fonda, Movie
1976 The Omen, Gregory Peck, Movie
1977 Spectre Robert Culp, TV Movie
1984 Ghostbusters, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Movie
1985 Hellblazer / John Constantine Created by Alan Moore and Stephen R. Bissette, Comicbook
1986 The Name of the Rose Sean Connery and Christian Slater, Movie
1991 Cast an Evil Spell Fred Ward, TV Movie
1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Movie and 1997 TV Series created by Joss Whedon
1993 Hellboy Created by Mike Mignola, Comicbook
1993 The X Files - Dana Scully and Fox Muldare, Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, TV Series
1996 Millenium / Frank Black, Lance Henricksen, TV Series
1996 The Frighteners. Michael J. Fox, Movie
1999 Sleepy Hollow - Ichabod Crane, Johnny Depp, Movie
1999 End of Days Arnold Schwarzenegger, Movie
2004 Van Helsing Hugh Jackman, Movie
2004 Hellboy Movie, Ron Pearlman.
2005 Constantine Keanu Reeves, Movie
2005 Supernatural Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester
2013 Sleepy Hollow - Ichabod Crane & Abbie Mills, Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie, TV Series
2013 The Conjuring Universe, The Warrens (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson), Movie Series
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