Advanced Review: ‘Space Ghost’ #6
After the high-octane action of the previous issue, Space Ghost #6 slows the pace down some, giving us a thoughtful and introspective exploration of Jace's emotional state in the closing chapter to this run’s first major arc.
Even though he knows it was for the greater good, the action of shooting Zorak weighs heavily on Jace’s conscience, and Pepose masterfully conveys his inner turmoil through a series of poignant journal entries over the course of the issue. The use of these entries, overlayed against other dialogue and events happening throughout the book, creates a captivating juxtaposition that adds depth and complexity to Jace's character. We're reading his most personal thoughts, and the contrast between his written words and the events unfolding around him reveals how people deal with trauma differently. One of my favorite moments was seeing Jan try to cheer her brother up after seeing him struggle for so long. Jonathan Lau's artwork is instrumental in selling the emotional weight of Jace's story, with evocative facial designs and body language that make all of his emotions palpable.
Even with this touching character story, the issue still delivers an awesome confrontation between our heroes and Moltar, which is brought to visual life in phenomenal fashion by Lau, Andrew Dalhouse, and Taylor Esposito. The design for Moltar's Molten Men is a standout, with Dalhouse's colors once again proving to be some of the best parts of the series.
What I appreciate most about this issue is how Pepose balances Jace's character-driven storyline with the larger plot, never sacrificing one for the other. The result is a narrative that feels both intimate and grandiose, with a perfect blend of action, emotion, and introspection.
As the first major arc comes to a close, Space Ghost #6 leaves its main characters and readers primed for what's next. The stage is set for a thrilling new chapter, and I'm eager to see where the creative team take us from here.
Rating: 10/10
