This is it! I’ll gloat a tad and say this is the story arc I’ve predicted from day one. What began last issue, the formation of the Council of Doom led to their triumph over Space Ghost. Our hero has fallen, Blip has been abducted, and it appears Ghost Planet is about to meet a tragic end!
David Pepose and Jonathan Lau continue with yet another action-packed issue full of emotional turmoil and nail-biting suspense. Issue 12 seemingly caps off one arc but ushers in the next one seamlessly. The action and suspense delivered by the creative team unbelievably delivers a higher intensity than the previous issue. It’s as though they thought to themselves, “what if Roderick Strong was a comic book and readers are hit with the End of Heartache?”
As the Council of Doom seem to maintain the upper hand, it is up to Jan and Jace to use their creative ingenuity to come out of this alive. One of the best aspects of the series has been how Jace and Jan are not the cliched sidekicks we have come to expect from old school cartoons. They seem to resemble more of a Robin and Huntress combo where Jace relies on out-of-the-box thinking and Jan takes a more direct, aggressive route to strike back.
What began about six issues ago, cracks in their connection, it seemed this family would fracture under the weight of pressure of an unforgiving universe. However, the three find a way to work together in order to achieve one goal, survival. With the Council of Doom gloating over their triumph, Team Space Ghost uses their arrogance as a weapon, but will this tactic see success?
As each villain is highlighted, just like last issue, readers get a colorful view of both their strengths and weaknesses, however it would seem Pepose’s version of these villains don’t dwell on flaws for very long when rewards of money and power are within grasp.
The final pages show the culmination of Dr. Ibou’s machinations and the true villain behind it all. The reveal of what the Ultima Weapon truly is, and no, it’s not the power from Final Fantasy. Pepose is on a roll. From Marvel mainstream titles to bringing back our classic characters from yesteryear, the man is a writing machine. Check out Captain Planet and Speed Racer! Jonathan Lau’s artwork is explosive in the best possible way. I am no expert but the art and brilliant colors by Andrew Dalhouse have volume, and the volume on the mental speakers have turned way up. Letterer Taylor Esposito’s craft comes to life exponentially where you can see the little shakes and shivers in language, whether it is menacing or dire, readers can feel it all.
Space Ghost #12 is a must-read (as long as #11 is read first) and is without a doubt going to be a huge jumping point for the next story arc.
