Review – Ghost #7 (Dark Horse Comics)

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Chris Sebela
Artist(s): Jan Duursema, Dan Parsons
Release Date: 13th August 2014

I have to start this review with a health warning: Ghost is the only comic I’ve ever collected. From its Deco covers to its elegant storytelling, I was a proper, diehard fanboy. But the original reboot (if there can be such a thing) left me utterly demoralised, dispirited and disaffected – and indeed, I was not alone, for it died on its arse. So it was with heavy heart (and light kidneys) that I revisited the latest restart.

It’s a simple enough premise: Elisa Cameron is an investigative journalist/demon-hunting vigilante. She may or may not be a ghost: she may be dead, can move through matter yet inexplicably unable to move through jade – so in its original incarnation the mystery was not only her (maybe) murder, but why she was subject to the “rules” of an Asiatic hereafter.

Now the synopsis for this issue seems to be a little, well, far fetched but it’s just covering the prior arc. The cover art is nicely done, retro yet updated appropriately. From the outset the art is clever, blurring the lines between character and rain, with nice scripting to boot and taking us along. The washed out pallette has an 80s vibe, reminiscent of early Hellblazer, which really fits the tone of the piece. Without giving it away, we see Elisa almost immediately fail, drawing us right in – all the elements of the comic narrative coming together.

Yes, Elisa’s a bit pneumatic. Once it gets going, it’s a bit hectic, and although the first half of the issue is an absolute draw, the second half really feels like it needs previous issues to make full sense of it. But let’s be clear. I was ready to hate this, or at least be disappointed – and I loved it, and can’t wait to read the next issue. So excited in fact that I went back and read the previous issues, and I must say I’m likewise impressed. Kudos, gentlemen and ladies of this… resurrection.

Rating: 4/5

PREVIEW ARTWORK.

[Click thumbnail for full size image]