Space Ghost #2 is written by David Pepose and published by Dynamite Comics. Artwork is by Jonathan Lau, colours by Andrew Dalhouse and letters by Taylor Esposito. Main cover art (left) is by Francesco Mattina.
Space Ghost #2 is available now, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Escaping from the wreckage of Space Colony Omicron, Jan, Jace, Blip, and their rescuer travel to the Ghost Planet — the mysterious headquarters of the even more mysterious Space Ghost. Leaving on an urgent mission, Space Ghost gives explicit orders to the three survivors: STAY. PUT.
Two children and a monkey left alone in a secret space hero’s lair — what could possibly go wrong? (Hint: This issues also features an unexpected flight of the Phantom Cruiser!)
Review
Dynamite Comics’ brilliant new Space Ghost series is back for issue #2. I’ve been itching to get my hands on book two and really happy to say that David Pepose’s endeavour to create a whole new legacy for the character is moving along smoothly. Building on last month, Space Ghost #2 feels like an unexpected but welcome continuation of building out the world around the titular character.
Picking up moments after the end of issue #1 Space Ghost and his new friends Jan, Jace and Blip head back to base where rather than getting in to too much trouble they instead take a moment to reflect on their situation. Bravely Pepose is keeping the focus on character rather diving head first in to yet more action. We saw the book (and its writer) are capable of high stakes sci-fi action last month. Now it’s time to flex some character muscle and see just how much depth and humanity can be injected in to this classic cartoon characters.
That’s not to say that Space Ghost has become an overwrought melodrama. Pepose strikes a neat balance between rounding out the characters, giving them real emotions and reactions, and ensuring this remains an epic space adventure. But before these characters can become a family, let alone heroes, they need to find common ground and that’s the purpose issue #2 serves. Exploring more of Space Ghost’s tragic past and allowing him to find common ground and connect with Jan and Jace. Begrudgingly of course. Those who felt the first issue was lacking in Space Ghost, making him more of a Batman-style figure, will certainly eat their words this time around. Issue #2 belongs to Space Ghost in all the right ways.
Jonathan Lau continues to bring an engaging and energetic visual style to the book. Though there isn’t quite so much in scale as the attack on the space station. It allows Lau to show similar versatility to Pepose in focussing in more closes on the characters. While Space Ghost has the gravitas of a hero, Lau’s rendering of the kids is joyful to behold.
Verdict
A solid second issue of Space Ghost #2. Pepose continues to write a magnificent story, neatly building out the world and its characters ahead of getting down to business.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
