REVIEW: 'Space Ghost' #2 by David Pepose, Jonathan Lau, and Andrew Dalhouse

 

SPACE GHOST #2 

Writer: David Pepose

Artist: Jonathan Lau, Andrew Dalhouse

Letterer: Taylor Esposito

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Release Date: June 5, 2024

Cover Price: $4.99

"...They call it the Ghost Planet now."

Jan, Jace, Blip and Space Ghost travel to the Ghost Planet, the mysterious headquarters of the even more mysterious Space Ghost. Leaving on an urgent mission, Space Ghost give explicit orders to: STAY. PUT. What could go wrong? Also featuring an unexpected flight of the Phantom Cruiser!

Over the next year, everything you know about Space Ghost, his companions and his enemies will be revealed as only Dynamite can!

Written by David (Punisher) Pepose and drawn by Dynamite superstar Jonathan Lau, issue #1 features an array of the most incredible artists in the known Galaxy: Bjorn Barends, Francesco Mattina, Jae Lee and Michael Cho!

ALL COVERS CARDSTOCK

Score:

8.5/10

The return of Space Ghost has been an exciting event full of nostalgia and fun but more importantly it's a bonafide sci-fi adventure series that thrills. David Pepose's approach so far to rebooting the galactic vigilante has been to keep the core story intact while heightening his powers and expanding the world around him. Issue one saw him in action showing off what he is capable of and demonstrating what a badass hero he can be. Now, with Jan, Jace, and Blip under his wing he has to learn to protect but trust in them in order to face new challenges all while facing his own tragic past. 

We get some of Space Ghost's backstory inter-spread between the past and present brilliantly displayed by Jonathan Lau's alternating panels and Andrew Dalhouse's distinguishing colors. It's an efficient way to provide background without slowing down the actions taking place in the present. Returning to SG's home base known as what else, Ghost Planet. A new threat emerges while the siblings and Blip get accustomed to their new surroundings.  It's not long before the scientifically gifted kids chip in to help when a monster appears. Pepose elevates Space Ghost in some ways to make it slightly more mature material but maintains the sense of wonder and adventure from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon. 

Lau and Dalhouse create an exciting sequence of events with bold colors and pitch-perfect pacing. Lau's deft hand at showing emotion is perfectly displayed with the sheer look of awe in Jan and Jace. And while, one will wonder how they could get over the death of their dad so soon, they're obviously taken with Space Ghost's ship and home base capabilities. 

If you're a fan of Space Ghost you will not be disappointed. If you're new to Space Ghost you'll see how fun and engaging these adventures are. Pepose understands what makes Space Ghost great and is the best steward of the property. It's infectious and appealing and the kind of sci-fi storytelling meant to take you away to far off worlds. Space Ghost is a winner.