The second issue of Dynamite Entertainment’s Space Ghost reboot comes out this week. David Pepose writes the series, drawn by Jonathan Lau, with colors by Andrew Dalhouse and letters by Taylor Esposito. After bringing together the main protagonists in issue #1, Space Ghost #2 gives us a standalone origin issue.
If nothing else, the series certainly does offer awesome covers. Francesco Mattina’s main cover is absolutely fantastic, reminiscent of Alex Ross’ style. But there are plenty of other excellent variants to choose from, if that’s your cup of tea.
Dynamite Entertainment
I complained in my review of the first issue that we really didn’t get to know very much about the titular character. Well, Pepose remedies that with a very good origin story in this issue.
On the down side, the origin is based on one of comic’s most infamous tropes. One that’s unfortunately often used. In fact, Pepose just recently wrote the origin story of another rebooted character that also relied on this trope.
Now, as I mentioned in my review of issue #1, this series is my very first experience with Space Ghost. Accordingly, I have no idea if this trope is the already established origin that Pepose is just retelling and retooling. A quick online search lets me know that it is. The trope showed up in a previous Space Ghost comic series, put out by DC in 2005.
Dynamite Entertainment
Be that as it may, and no matter what your personal feelings about this particular trope are, it works well in Space Ghost #2. This is mostly due to Pepose’s character work. The way Space Ghost struggles with his personal trauma comes off emotionally authentic. Of course, it’s meant to pull at our heartstrings. But, it does so without turning into a melodramatic sob-story. Instead, I truly found myself relating to the character’s frustrations in a deeply emotional way.
This origin for Space Ghost also works well within the narrative, giving the main character a stronger connection to his new side-kicks, Jan and Jace. It creates an interesting dynamic between these characters that I hope is explored in future issues.
Jan and Jace are well characterized as curiosity crazed, scientist kids, who are also ready to create a little mischief. I really like how Lau illustrates the two. They really look like lanky kids who still have plenty of growing to do. They just seem to have gotten over their father’s murder in issue #1 a little too quickly.
Dynamite Entertainment
It’s interesting that the series would start off with two one-off issues. But I actually like it. Both issues are tightly written – not trying to do too much. Each issue takes place over a short period of time – excluding flashbacks.
The characters find themselves in some kind of sci-fi adventure. In this issue, it’s an energy monster. The action-sequences are fun, well-choreographed and look cool. The danger feels threatening but is resolved in time for the issue to end. In this way, the issues so far feel somewhat like cartoon episodes, but with some heavier elements of loss and trauma mixed in.
Still, despite the standalone nature of the issue, there are just enough clues to a larger narrative thrown in to let us readers know what direction the story arc will follow.
In conclusion, Space Ghost #2 is a good standalone origin issue that also establishes the series’ status quo going forward. Although Space Ghost’s origin relies on a well-worn and controversial comic trope, Pepose’s writing makes it work both in this issue and in the overall narrative. Jonathan Lau’s art is consistently good on the inside. And all of the possible covers are excellent.
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