Advance Review: Space Ghost #1

As a kid of the 90’s, my first (& only) exposure to Space Ghost was through the Cartoon Network series Space Ghost: Coast to Coast. My parents told me that it was a far cry from the Space Ghost they grew up with, but I was never introduced further to the character they remembered. So I was super excited to see the character getting a new series from Dynamite which would pay homage to the classic Hannah-Barbera version of Space Ghost I had heard so much about. I was also pumped to hear David Pepose was attached to it, as I loved his recent Punisher miniseries at Marvel.

This first issue exceeded my expectations in every way possible, packing it’s 20+ pages with action, intrigue, suspense, & heart. Pepose's was a perfect choice for this story as his writing is so accessible to readers like me, who may not be familiar with this version of Space Ghost. Some of my favorite parts of the book were his dialogue for Jan & Jace, the adolescent siblings I wasn’t expected to love as much as I Pepose made me.

The art by Jonathan Lau & colors by Andrew Dalhouse perfectly capture the space epic tone, offering just enough elements to give the book a touch of nostalgia without making you feel like you're picking up a 50-year old comic book. I loved the details for character designs & facial expressions, particularly the adorable Blip, and the action sequences leap off the pages. Taylor Esposito's top-notch lettering adds depth & polish to the visuals for a complete package.

Space Ghost #1 is a thrilling revival for a classic character, offering a fresh start while honoring the original spirit. I finally feel like I understand what my parents were talking about all those years ago & I can’t wait to share this with them.

Rating: 5/5