Robbie Reyes returns to the leading role of his own series. Read on for our review of “Ghost Rider” #1 but be warned, there are some spoilers within this review.
Written by Felipe Smith
Illustrated by Danilo S. Beyruth, Tradd Moore, Val Staples and Jesus Aburtov
ROBBIE REYES IS BACK! It’s hell on wheels as the Spirit of Vengeance makes his roaring return! A mysterious object from space crash-lands in southern California, drawing some of the brightest minds in the Marvel Universe to Ghost Rider’s backyard – including Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome Hulk! What mayhem will be unleashed as the High-octane Hothead comes face-to-face with the Jade Genius? And with Robbie still possessed by the ghost of his evil uncle Eli…who’s really in the driver’s seat? Then, meet the newest speed trap in Ghost Rider’s life as his original creators Felipe Smith and Tradd Moore reunite for a special backup story and the debut of an all-new villain. Strap in and start your engines, True Believer, this one’s gonna be a scorcher!
Two years ago, Marvel served up a brand new Ghost Rider in the form of Californian teenager, Robbie Reyes. Robbie was alone, raising his disabled brother on his own after his parents abandoned him. One night, after being ambushed over a stolen car and drugs, he was murdered but was saved by the spirit of Eli Morrow and thus he became the Ghost Rider. Over 12 issues we got to know this character and the world he lived in as he fought to help out his neighborhood in Los Angeles. Robbie Reyes never really went away after his series ended but he gained a lot more visibility thanks to Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. when he was added to the cast of characters this season. In what looks like an effort to capitalize on this, “Ghost Rider” #1 launched this week. Unfortunately, it isn’t the exciting debut I was hoping for as it kind of loses its lead among other stars.
“Ghost Rider” #1 takes us back to Los Angeles and back into the life of Robbie Reyes and his brother Gabe. For the two of them it is an ordinary day full of ice cream and fixing cars together but elsewhere, there is something brewing. Also in Los Angeles is the Totally Awesome Hulk, Amadeus Cho and the current Wolverine, Laura Kinney. Hulk has stumbled upon a creature with shape shifting abilities and once it gets loose, it’ll be up to these three to stop it before it gets out of hand.
The biggest problem with “Ghost Rider” #1 is that it doesn’t really feel like “Ghost Rider”. It feels like another Marvel book and “All New Ghost Rider” certainly didn’t feel like that. Felipe Smith returns to write this series but something just feels a bit off about it. The way the issue is paced is perfectly fine and Smith settles back into writing Robbie and Gabe’s relationship very nicely. His voice for Amadeus Cho is tons of fun and the back and forth between the spirit of Eli and Robbie feels just like old times to an extent.
The biggest problem with “Ghost Rider” #1 is that it reads like an issue that should take place farther into the series run. I can sympathize with wanting to draw in as many readers as possible but this reads a bit tough for someone who doesn’t know who Robbie Reyes is. A crossover of some of Marvel’s best, young characters is a great idea but for a first issue, it feels like a big misstep. Imagine being new to “Ghost Rider”, particularly this version. I can’t imagine someone like that seeing this as a great jumping on point. We don’t spend enough time in Robbie’s world. For me, this reads as “All New Ghost Rider” #13 and while that’s good for me, it is too much too soon for someone newer to this character.
Throughout “All New Ghost Rider”, we were treated to the astounding work of Tradd Moore but for this new series, Moore is only working on the backup stories. However, this doesn’t mean “Ghost Rider” #1 suffers. Danilo S. Beyruth joins Felipe Smith this time around and does some really great work. His work isn’t as energized as Moore but it’s really perfect for this story. Beyruth, like Moore, is great at expression. Beyruth’s characters, especially the Amadeus Cho pages, are responsive. There’s a playfulness in what he does but he can also switch into more dynamic action when he needs to. The Amadeus Cho pages are perfectly in line with who this character is. You’ve got this giant rage monster that’s become this happy young guy who’s just having fun and it shows in Beyruth’s art. There’s a great double page spread with Robbie in action that captures the energy you want to see in a series like this. The linework here is strong with a nice use of speed lines but the inking can interfere with the colors just a little bit. I love the way Robbie moves when he lets Eli take over and the cars fly down the road in such an adrenaline driven sense.
Continued belowThe coloring team of Staples and Aburtov work well together and it becomes impossible to tell them apart, creating a wonderful cohesion. The combination of flames and shadows in the mentioned action sequences works to bring the moody darkness that this story needs. On the flip side, the sub story (or what should be the sub story) with Hulk is bright and fun with a feeling that only his story could really have.
The Smith and Moore backup story is more along the lines of what we saw in the first series as Robbie has to fight a local villain who, by day, is a fitness guru and by night, an electric powered thief. It’s a fun, short back up that shows off what Moore can really do and makes the price tag a little less hurtful on the wallet.
“Ghost Rider” #1 isn’t great but it has plenty of time to grow. This is a really good character and I have faith that it’ll improve.
Final Verdict: 6.5 – Far from a disaster but not exactly the fiery debut I was hoping for.
