The Real Reason For The Curse Of Macbeth!!!

Long story short: Because Banquo's ghost is a dumbass.

Longer version...we'll have to consult Zero, The Ghost Detective!

For those of you not familiar, Zero the Ghost Detective was not a detective who happened to be a ghost. He was a P.I. who investigated and thwarted supernatural doings. I know, kind of an awkward name.

Anyway, you know about the alleged curse of Macbeth, right? How you're not supposed to say the name "Macbeth" in a theater, or quote the play unless it's an actual rehearsal or performance, lest some terrible luck strike the production? Well, I think we've sussed out the reason...

Zero (he never got any more of a name than that) has a famous actor friend in town for a production of the Scottish Play...

Meanwhile, backstage...

Bad idea, because...

Now, decades of Scooby Doo and such might have modern readers thinking that this was just a crooked producer or jealous rival actor posing as a ghost. Sorry, guys, this is Zero The Ghost Detective--it's always real ghosts!!

Fortunately, Zero picks that moment to barge in...

So...

Wait, just in case you're not hep to it, in play, Macbeth had assassins murder the noble Banquo, because it had been prophesied that Banquo's progeny would be kings. Banquo's ghost shows up later, haunting Macbeth and making him look raving mad...

Anyway, so Banquo's ghost apparently thinks that Macbeth is still alive some 900 years later? He's fooled by theatrical make-up? What a dumbass.

Still, if every time someone puts on a production of Macbeth, the ghost shows up, thinks it's real, and goes on a killing spree, well, that would explain an awful lot of the alleged curse on the play, wouldn't it?

Bevins want to quit...but Zero wants to convince the ghost that Macbeth is really dead...by making him watch the play!!

And so...

And so they watch the play...

A ghost catcalling at Macbeth. Wild...

Yeah, you know, being dead and all, Banquo, shouldn't you have known that Macbeth was dead? Couldn't you have asked Kid Eternity or something? You are a fool!!

And you're convinced by a play? Do you understand the concept of fiction, or performance. ghost?!?! What a dumbass!!

But all's well that ends well!

Fin!

From Feature Comics #70 (1943)