Reviews 

“Cosmic Ghost Rider” #1

By | July 6th, 2018
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

Frank Castle, under the pen of Donny Cates, has become the Cosmic Ghost Rider in the pages of “Thanos.” The character soon became a sensation with his maniacal personality and over-the-top powers. But can this supporting character sustain his own mini-series? Signs point to yes.

Cover by Geoff Shaw
Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Dylan Burnett
Colored by Antonio Fabela
Lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles

EXPLODING FROM THE PAGES OF THANOS! Frank Castle was the Punisher. A deal with the devil made him Ghost Rider. A deal with Galactus made him cosmic. A deal with Thanos made him…DEAD?!? Not to worry, he’s coming back, and he’s got a plan to make the universe a better place that’s going to lead him into an even CRAZIER adventure than he’s ever been in! Join hot new comic (and cosmic?) writer Donny Cates (THANOS, DOCTOR STRANGE) as he pushes his wildest creation past the breaking point!

A big part of what made Donny Cates’s run on “Thanos” so memorable were the high-concept introductions he made to the book and to the broader Marvel Universe. Within that area, the revelation that Frank Castle, a.k.a. the Punisher, had been transformed into the Spirit of Vengeance through a series of trials and tribulations was certainly a high note. It is understandable, therefore, that Marvel would further wish to expand that part of its universe, even if running the risk of spreading a nugget of a good concept over too much exposition. And while this mini-series is only getting started, it seems that the trust placed on the creative team was well deserved.

The choice to have Dylan Burnett on art was enlightened. He brings an animated sensibility to every page, while not losing sight of the extreme violence and action needed for a book like this. Panel designs are dynamic – opening up when the action demands it, and zooming in for more personal exchanges – and artistic liberties are taken just in the right measure in terms of distortion and impossible proportions. Backgrounds are just as impressive: there are moments set in Valhalla where readers can observe hills and mountains fading into the distance, while rainbow bridges take control of the foreground. It is a level of craft not usually linked with this animated style, where the main characters and the obvious action are rendered in minutiae, but where most of the rest takes a backseat.

Another aspect well-worth analyzing are facial expressions on the more quieter moments of “Cosmic Ghost Rider” #1, in particular towards the middle of the book when Frank and All-Father Odin engage in a fierce, yet non-combatant, conversation. These are two men (gods?) usually portrayed on the height of their pride, arrogance and hubris, and to see them discuss themes like mortality and worthiness with such a careful approach to how they look is certainly a big plus. Antonio Fabela on colors follows that lead, but shines the most on the bigger, larger-than-life moments: energy signatures, blasts and how the outer cosmos are portrayed are simply beautiful.

Over at plot and script, Cates continues on what seems to be a takeover of the Marvel Universe. Having written “Thanos,” “Doctor Strange,” “Venom,” and Inhumans, his versatility is being put to the test, from the more serious tones shown as entire races are massacred, to the absurd and over-the top that is “Cosmic Ghost Rider.” Perhaps the main challenge for Cates here is to avoid relying on the crutch that is having an already-beloved character like Frank Castle and avoid taking chances with him. Not so on this issue. Instead of heading back into cosmic adventures, Cates takes readers into bars and fields (no matter if they are set in nether realms), allowing the issue to breathe before heading back into madness. It also allows for some much-needed character development, so that when Cosmic Ghost Rider fails – and he most certainly will stumble during the mini – the audience is invested on the danger.

When the script does lean on the action, it does so in the same type of craziness readers familiar with “Thanos” and “Venom” can expect. Towards the end of the issue, Frank is joined on his journey by a very unexpected ride-along, opening the doors to truly big surprises and even possible retcons to the longer Marvel tapestry. By taking and keeping the surprise-factor to a constant high, Cates is constantly juggling reader´s expectations.

All in all, “Cosmic Ghost Rider” is what one would expect from a mini zooming closer on a breakthrough character: it does a bit of the same, but just in the right doses to bring readers in, to then explore new and unpredictable angles of their existence. And while the mini’s missions statement is still unclear on how it will fill another four issues, judging this book on its stand-alone merits, this should be truly a joy to read.

Final Verdict : 7.3 – Cates and Burnett are successful in bringing a crazy, high-level concept character down to the ground, only to then take him into even more impossible journeys. Hopefully the rest of the mini will be just as energized – in terms of the script and on how the art portrays it as it moves forward.


Gustavo S Lodi

Gustavo comes all the way down from Brazil, reading and writing about comics for decades now. While Marvel and DC started the habit, he will read anything he can get his hands on! Big Nintendo enthusiast as well.

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