Advance Review: Space Ghost #1
A classic character from Dynamite Comics
From Dynamite Comics is Space Ghost #1, and I was interested to see where this would go. I was lucky enough to have an advanced read of this first issue.
Greed and corruption flourish in the darkness between stars. With the territories of the Galactic Federation spread far and wide across the vastness of space, pirates and hijackers ransack the distant colonies with cruel disregard for the innocent scientists living within them.
Yet there is a cosmic vigilante who metes out justice throughout the galaxy, bringing vengeance to those prey upon the defenceless. Some say he is a policeman who has abandoned the strictures of the law. Others say he is a phantom, the sole survivor of a war-torn planet. And those who have survived his wrath claim he is more a force of nature, able to bend the very elements of Creation to decimate his enemies.
They call him the SPACE GHOST - and his adventures begin here! Award-winning writer DAVID PEPOSE (Punisher) and superstar artist JONATHAN LAU (Vampirella Strikes) kick off this action-packed series with a surprise attack on Space Colony Omicron - home of the brilliant scientist Dr. Jerrod Keplar and his young children, Jan and Jace, as well as their pet monkey, Blip.
With the colony’s defences overwhelmed, all seems lost, but these ruthless pirates didn’t count on the wild card that is Space Ghost! This debut issue also includes covers from some of the finest artists in the known universe - including FRANCESCO MATTINA, JAE LEE & JUNE CHUNG, BJORN BARENDS and MICHAEL CHO!
This week, Dynamite Comics is rebooting the character Space Ghost. Now, I only have a passing knowledge of the character, something close to the campy adventures of yesteryear Warner Brothers and then the late-night TV show send-up of Space Ghost Coast To Coast. So, comparing those memories and the description above, I was unsure what to expect…
Well…
This feels like a story aimed directly at me, with a space vigilante and different science fiction concepts to get into. There are gangs (dangerous), a space police force (corrupt), and science (weird) to be added to the mystery that is the Space Ghost.
He feels like a Batman of older times. Not wanting to kill but willing to cause a fair amount of damage. If the baddies die, so be it - but he seems to try!
This first issue is an excellent primer for what to expect from the series. Space Ghost has his wards now and something to protect. There are also a fair amount of evil people who are after them. There will undoubtedly be many characters and scrapes to get into.
The artwork is brilliant, and there is some fun with the different aliens. I like how they are revealed and have some excellent designs. Space Ghost himself has a unique intense look, which belies his agility and hiding skills. The use of various powers and tech is also well shown here.
This was an excellent beginning, and I look forward to delving into it regularly.
When I saw this getting solicited I thought the cover art was great and very faithful to the character. I look forward to checking this one out!