On August 7th, Dynamite Entertainment releases Space Ghost #4, the next installment in the reboot of the classic sci-fi action hero. The consistently entertaining series is written by David Pepose, illustrated by Jonathan Lau, colored by Andrew Dalhouse and lettered by Taylor Esposito.
What really impressed me was the amazing artwork. I mean, Jonathan Lau’s pencils and Andrew Dalhouse’s colors have been impressive throughout the series. But the artwork really stood out in this issue.
Dynamite Entertainment
Lau uses a wide variety of page structures and panel layouts. Some pages have standard “widescreen” panels from top to bottom. At other times, the panels have slanted borders to move the action upward from left to right. Then we get some vertical panels, some squares, a full-page spread or two and even some circular panels. Some panels look like TV screens. Others are meant to mimic the view through night-vision goggles.
And Lau’s “cinematography” – the camera-angles and composition – are also near perfect. Close-ups and wide shots are used at exactly the right time. We see things from different perspectives – looking upwards, or looking down from above the action. I especially enjoyed the wider shots which wonderfully use negative space to draw attention to the focal point of the image – often not smack in the middle of the panel. Here, the interplay of light and shadows plays an important role.
Everything in the artwork works together to create a dynamic, exciting reading experience.
Dynamite Entertainment
Space Ghost #4 introduces the new villain, Zorak – an anthropomorphic preying mantis, who happens to be the insane leader of a fanatical death cult. The character could end up being goofy, but Lau manages to make him actually look scary with plenty of unsettling close-ups, grotesque features and lots of contrasting shadows. Dalhouse drenches Zorak’s scenes in red, adding to the feeling of dread.
Pepose writes Zorak with somewhat over-the-top dialogue. In fact, most of the dialogue in Space Ghost #4 is a bit over the top without much subtext. At times it’s almost campy. And the opening has quite a bit of exposition explaining who Zorak is. But I’m not complaining, because it’s all a part of the cartoon-like feel that makes this series so much fun.
Dynamite Entertainment
In this issue, Pepose once again emphasizes Space Ghost’s role as surrogate father to the orphaned Jace and Jan. It’s a difficult role for him, considering he’s still dealing with the trauma of losing his own wife and children. So, he’s overprotective – never relaxed and too hard on Jace and Jan. To protect them, he rushes off to find Zorak alone, only to get caught up in an action-filled fight with one of Zorak’s followers.
More credit should be given to Lau for drawing Space Ghost as a powerful and heroic figure in many typical super-hero-poses. He just looks awesome in action. Unfortunately, his fight with Zorak’s minion distracts him from the real danger. Since this is the first two-parter of the series – after three standalone issues – we actually get a real cliffhanger in the end.
In conclusion, Space Ghost continues to be one of the most consistently entertaining comics on the stands right now. In Space Ghost #4, I was most impressed with the excellent artwork by artist Jonathan Lau and colorist Andrew Dalhouse. Furthermore, David Pepose writes action-packed adventures with just enough character and heart to remind you of the best classic cartoons, but a little more grown up this time.
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