ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Space Ghost’ Issue #1

Space Ghost #1 is published by Dynamite Entertainment, written by David Pepose, art by Jonathan Lau, colors by Andrew Dalhouse, and letters by Taylor Esposito. The space-faring hero arrives at a space colony where two children have witnessed an awful tragedy and must try and save them.

The series revives the Hanna Barbera cartoon character, but the character needs to be understood minimally before jumping in. This opening chapter is an origin story for Space Ghost’s supporting cast, showcasing that this is a fresh start. The story stays solely within the colony, moving quickly and unrelentingly. The darkness of the series is also established rapidly. The children see a brutal murder within a few pages, and there are some intense, ruthless scenes after that as well. All of the most essential parts of the series are revealed.

The introduction of the protagonist of Space Ghost #1 is fascinating. The comic spends its entirety with the human children, seeing Space Ghost for the first time. From an outsider’s perspective, the character is dangerous, frightening, and enigmatic. His power is demonstrated, as well as his violence when needed. The dialogue has a brilliant, classic feel to it. The way Pepose describes what is happening feels like how superheroes spoke in cartoons and comics from the ’70s and ’80s. Characters describe their technology and powers as they use them, with confidence about how tremendous they are. This dialogue style is charming and entertaining, truthful to the era in which the character was heralded.

The art is terrific. Space Ghost is muscular and imposing, perfectly recreating the original costume. The illustration of the colony reduces any notion of safety where the kids run. The villains are also longstanding villains within the Space Ghost lore, and the designs by Lau are superb. The whole issue stays very close to the characters, somewhat claustrophobic at points. There is an excellent blend of superpowers, animal proportions, and technology. The fight scenes are surprisingly brutal. The impact of the punches that Space Ghost delivers looks excruciating, and the death at the start of the book ramps up the issue’s intensity.

The colors are also fascinating. Large swathes of the book are encased solely in red, signaling the kids’ danger. The shadows are heavy within the comic, sometimes obscuring parts of the characters’ bodies to make them more mysterious. But while there are scenes where few colors are used, there are others with an explosion of them. Mainly by the final battle of the comic, the energy weapons and powers on display create an energetic selection of visuals. The lettering is big and bold, matching the tone of the comic.

Space Ghost #1 gives the character the revival he deserves. The protagonist is seen by others with trepidation and fear, implementing a new look that may update the character for modern audiences. Rebooting the whole franchise like this makes it easier to jump into, reintroducing the whole crew for the next generation. Pepose’s story is fun and dark all at once, and the art is phenomenal, from his introduction to the style of the dialogue. Space Ghost proves his place alongside the flagships that Dynamite has unleashed.

Space Ghost #1 is available wherever comics are sold on May 1st.