You Ghost Riding Dummy!
Writer: Donny Cates
Art Team: Dylan Burnett, Antonio Fabela
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Marvel Comics
Release Date: August 1, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99
It’s a safe call to make at this point that Marvel hit a home fun when they hired Donny Cates to come aboard and write a ton of comic books for them. I wouldn’t say he’s even touched a character(s) I’ve cared much about yet, with the mild exception of Venom, yet each book he’s been put on (even an Inhumans title) still turns into a must read for me. There’s something about his writing style I love, his willingness to take chances with characters he writes, and the pacing of his books that’s all very addicting. So that’s what I expected coming into Cosmic Ghost Rider and two issues in that’s exactly what we’ve gotten … let’s talk about it.
The issue starts a couple hours after last issued ends as Frank Castle, with Baby Thanos in toe, heads to a doomed planet with a sweet happy hour to come up with the other half of his plan. When the aliens running the place have an issue with a baby’s presence at their establishment an exchange occurs that reminds me of my college days running around Buffalo, NY. Thankfully Galactus arrives before Frank makes too much of a mess in front of baby Thanos which progresses us into act two seamlessly.
Turns out Frank showed up here to have a chat with his old buddy Galactus, who in this timeline just doesn't know he and Frank are pals in the future … yet. Frank appeals to Galactus (Galan) for help with his current predicament, they quickly deal with a swarm of Space Sharks, he catches Galactus up on their relationship with a little telepathy. We get a bit of catchup in this area, seemingly for newer readers of Cosmic Ghost Rider, but it done quickly and in an interesting enough matter it doesn't bother me too much.
The two old pals hit a roadblock after catching up though when Galactus wants to dispose of Thanos because Frank has had plenty of chances to do so and has thus far failed in his attempts. When Frank refuses to give up baby Thanos, Uatu the Watcher appears, and things get hysterical and interesting in a way it seems only Donny Cates can deliver. Decisions are made that will chance the course of Marvel history and I can't wait to see the results going forward from here.
Overall, Donny Cates continues to bring his A game to each and every Marvel title that bares his name. The Cosmic Ghost Rider stole my heart the first time I saw him in the pages of Thanos and I’ve been pumped to continue the journey here in this mini-series which so far has brought the laughs, actions, and twists and turns I look for and enjoy in my comic book choices. The small bits of recap slowed the book down a tad, which is my only complaint, but felt necessary for newer readers and the history needed to establish the storys twist.
The art suits the tone and themes of this book well. Although I was used to a more polished look of the character from his initial appearances with how this story is progressing I feel it's a great match for what happens on the page.
Bits and Pieces:
Donny Cates, with the art team of Dylan Burnett and Antonio Fabela, have put out two greatly entertaining issues of a Cosmic Ghost Rider and seem to be a great match. This issue manages to balance comedy, action, and enough outrageousness in a single story to please just about anyone. Cates continues to prove worthy of any trust earned thus far with Marvel fans, producing another runaway hit, I support with my highest approval.
9.0/10
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