SPACE GHOST #4, by Dynamite Comics on 8/7/24, enters a new level of danger when the crazed cult leader Zorak escapes prison and hatches a plan to bring his god of destruction into the universe.
Credits:
- Writer: David Pepose
- Artist: Jonathan Lau
- Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
- Letterer: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Artist: Francesco Mattina (cover A)
- Publisher: Dynamite Comics
- Release Date: August 7, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of SPACE GHOST #4:
First Impressions:
Well, now. We give credit where credit is due. David Pepose turned out another issue that focuses on a (slightly) reimagined Space Ghost villain, and the net result is a comic packed with danger, action, excitement, and adventure, elevated with maturity and seriousness well above a Saturday Morning Cartoon. Of all the cartoon IPs Dynamite has picked up over the last year, this issue is our favorite so far.
Plot Analysis:
When last we left Space Ghost in issue #3, Jan and Jace convinced our hero to accept an offer from the criminal known as The Widow to break into Robo Corp’s headquarters and steal their incriminating data. As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” so Space Ghost agreed. When the team nearly got away with the heist, The Widow turned the tables after Jan learned the whole scheme was a setup. Fortunately, Jan turned the tables back by capturing Widow and getting away with Robo Corp data.
Space Ghost #4 begins with an introduction to the legendary Zorak in prison. Zorak is a dangerous cultist who believes in Lokar, the Locust of the Apocalypse, and Zorak slaughtered multiple space colonies in a bloody bid to manifest Lokar into the universe. On this day, Space Ghost receives an alert that Zorak has escaped from prison.
Pepose starts the issue strongly by framing Zorak as a brutal, intimidating, and violent criminal who instills fear in everyone, from the prison guards to his fellow inmates. In large part, Zorak’s intimidation factor successfully comes across due to Jonathan Lau’s always-spectacular art.
Space Ghost responds to the alert by heading to Zorak’s last known hideout. Before he leaves, he tells Jan and Jace that they are absolutely forbidden from following him because Zorak is just too dangerous. If they disobey orders, Jan and Jace will be fired and banished.
There’s a method to elevate a character’s reputation without meeting the character at all, and Pepose pulls off that method perfectly. Space Ghost doesn’t show fear when talking about Zorak, but his extreme apprehension communicates how big a threat Space Ghost perceives Zorak to be, which adds to Zorak’s presence.
Jan and Jace agree to behave themselves while Space Ghost flies off to a former Zorak hideout on Bellerophon. Space Ghost finds papers of star charts and maps that suggest Zorak was there and that he’s developing a plan. Suddenly, Space Ghost is attacked by Zorak’s killing robot, Titanor. What follows is a titanic battle for survival.
If you were satisfied with one classic Space Ghost villain’s return, how about two for the price of one? On his best day, the classic Titanor looks like a simplified, featureless robot born of a mid-century aesthetic for kids. Here, Titanor is a walking tank that would make any superhero wary. Further, the battle is outstanding.
Meanwhile, Jan and Jace pick up a transmission that the Hadron Collider on Grax-3 was attacked, and all the workers were taken hostage. No space patrols are close enough to lend a hand, and Space Ghost isn’t responding to transmissions. Against Space Ghost’s wishes, Jan and Jace take Jan’s newly completed Space Coupe for a spin to rescue the hostages. However, the attack on Grax-3 is no simple hostage situation.
The issue concludes with a battle that brings the house down, a rescue attempt gone wrong, and a deal with the devil.
Overall, this issue exemplifies the same spirit of fun and adventure from the original cartoon but elevated into a serious thriller. Pepose is taking the assignment to heart by crafting a superhero series that keeps everything that works about Space Ghost while crafting something that can appeal to all ages.
Artwork and Presentation:
Jonathan Lau is one of the best artists on Dynamite’s roster, and this issue shows you why he’s the best. Lau is the master of using shadows to emphasize drama and impact. Lau’s character designs are faithful to the source material but more detailed, and the action execution is amazing.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Historical Context:
Readers who don’t have much more than a passing knowledge of the characters in Space Ghost #4 may not recognize Titanor. The robot was created by Zorak’s scientist’s specifically to defeat Space Ghost. Titanor first appeared in the Space Ghost cartoon episode titled “The Challenge,” which first aired on December 3, 1966.
Final Thoughts:
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SPACE GHOST #4 is one of the best issues yet. Writer David Pepose crafts a story that makes longtime Space Ghost villain Zorak into a credible and intimidating threat, while Jonathan Lau’s battle art looks fantastic. If Dynamite can maintain this level of action and excitement, Space ghost will be around for a long time.
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