I am unabashedly a child of the ’80s. Transformers, He-Man, and G.I. Joe are my favorites and the favorites of many of those who grew up in the glorious decade of the ’80s. However, many other properties are equally unique and creative. Silverhawks, Thundercats, Visionaries, Jace and the Wheeled Warriors, BraveStarr, and StarCom come to mind. Toys with fantastic gimmicks.
Thanks to Dynamite Comics, David Pepose, Jonathan Lau, and their team, Space Ghost returned in an incredible, epic-level storytelling event that has dominated comic sales since the first issue of season one. They’ve pulled off some ingenious things, but this might be the best yet.
The Herculoids have arrived!
A major favorite cartoon from Hanna-Barbera. How could you not love this? Barbaric in appearance yet technologically, scientifically, and even magically superior compared to others. Space Ghost vs. The Herculoids #1 hit shelves and has been an instant topic in the world of comic books.
The story starts with a bang. Cetia-7, seemingly under siege by an armada? An immeasurable invasion? No. It is the final moments of a battle between Space Ghost and Zandor, leader of the Herculoids! We flash back to what may have led to this battle. If you recall, in the Space Ghost Annual, we saw Zandor and his group discover an incursion onto their planet. We readers, are treated to yet another flashback to the planet Amzot, a planet seemingly filled with wonder and untold power.
For those unfamiliar with the Herculoids, Pepose provides a brief glimpse into the origin story of this universe: how Zandor came to meet Tara, and together with kaiju-like monsters and heroes, band together to protect Amzot from intergalactic threats, and to protect their son Dorno from harm. However, we soon learn Amzot is burning, mirroring the fire in Zandor’s vengeful heart.
On the other side of the battle, where the last issue of Space Ghost left off, the Evil Collector is somehow on the side of the Galactic Federation? A good guy? No way. It seems that, with more evil in the universe, the Federation has hired someone to “collect” the evil entities currently plaguing the galaxy. Once more, Space Ghost is called into action; however, it seems there is more than meets the eye as both titans collide while the Evil Collector, with his servant Makkano at his side, gloats about plans coming to fruition.
Another blockbuster crossover hits local comic shops and immediately becomes a best-seller. How could it not?
We’ve had crossovers with Thundercats and Silverhawks, and loads of crossovers with TMNT and Power Rangers. Fans of my generation get a wonderfully crafted remaster of beloved favorites, while modern fans can jump into a straight-up, action-flavored story with characters they can go history-diving into anytime they choose.
As mentioned earlier, David Pepose and Jonathan Lau bring storytelling to life, but not without their amazing crew. Colorist Andrew Dalhouse brings the story to vibrant life, with Taylor Esposito, Letterer, seasoning each line of dialogue with extra kick. One can only imagine the all-nighters Editor Joseph Rybandt pulls to tie it all together.
