Dynamite Entertainment &#8211; Space Ghost vol 2 Annual 1 review

Space Ghost vol 2 Annual 1 is further proof — not that it was needed — that the creative team doesn’t believe in filler issues. Especially since this issue can be used as a tease for Space ghost’s first big crossover.

Space Ghost vol 2 Annual 1 deals with the fallout from the battle with Tempus the Time Master. Space Ghost has had to face the unimaginable in losing his “sidekick” Jace albeit from a different time period where he was an adult vigilante, the Space Spectre.

While Jace and Jan have moved on from the brutal emotional toll of that battle, seeing one of his partners killed has forced Space Ghost to confront himself and decide if he really should be leading “his kids” into a situation that could result in their deaths.

Writer David Pepose has a tremendous sense on how to balance the action and melodrama. It makes sense for Space Ghost vol 2 Annual 1 to be the avenue where Space Ghost takes account of the risks he’s puts on his young charges. That gets emphasized as Space Ghost recalls a subsequent outing where the team took on Magnus and his massive partner, The Alien.

Pepose understands how villains should be written so Magnus and The Alien aren’t pushover chumps. Even when threats don’t extend beyond multiple issues, Space Ghost vol 2 Annual 1 is another example of how Pepose can get more with little simply by treating the villains credibly. It also doesn’t hurt that Jan and Jace aren’t annoying sidekicks. They actually add to the story and contribute more than just being the lazy hostages each issue. Pepose shows how they’ve managed to make such a major impact on their mentor as much as he’s made to them.

Artist Jonathan Lau is the model of consistency. Through two years on the title, Lau has rarely missed an issue. His work on Space Ghost vol 2 Annual 1 is sensational in both portraying Magnus and The Alien as formidable threats and the emotional weight of Space Ghost’s decision in the aftermath. Lau seems to have some fun tackling a character with extendable limbs like Magnus and a gargantuan presence like The Alien.

Colorist Andrew Dalhouse weaves in a strong mix of bright and darker hues always making sure to provide a stark contrast with the costumes of Space Ghost, Jan, Jace and Blip. Letterer Taylor Esposito keeps the dialogue clean and the sound effects nice and dramatic.

Beyond this fun story, Space Ghost vol 2 Annual 1 serves as a prelude for the series’ next path as Space Ghost and his crew will collide with The Herculoids. With this creative squad on that team-up, the Space Ghost era of Dynamite Entertainment is charting a largely unrivaled run compared to the majority of modern comics with a series that never lets up and constantly delivers for its readers.

This was another fantastic issue and well worth seeking out for readers looking for a classically written style comic that never feels dated or boring.