The Ghost Fleet #5
Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: March 5, 2015
DIGITAL PURCHASE LINK
Something strange happened in the world of comics recently, The Ghost Fleet, a comic that I, for all intents and purposes love and that I imagined would be flying off the shelves has been transitioned by Dark Horse to a digital only status and will be ending a few issues prematurely (8 will be the last instead of the previously planned 12).
It’s not my place to say if Dark Horse was right or wrong in that decision but, what I can tell you is that this issue, 5, is the beginning of the end and that now, more than ever, you should be reading it because Donny Cates and Daniel Warren Johnson are writing a hell of a comic here.
Trace awakes, confused and abused in a town that’s very name welcomes him, in a way. Mickey Reno, shadow assassin extraordinaire prepares to add another entry to his war journal and more. It’s an exciting set up that promises more to come and demonstrates how talented these creators are at the extremes this book touches on.
Cates writes an earnest and intriguing mystery, one full of bloodshed and gunplay but also of broken men and relationships. It’s more complex and rewarding than you might think and it’s quite apparent issue by issue that he is a talented and detail oriented scripter operating on a plane above the mundane. Trace is infinitely more interesting, I think, than John Wick, a character who he shares a lot of parallels with. I care about what happens to him. I care about his quest. I care about what’s in the truck. I care about the dog. I care, because Cates makes me care. It’s inspired writing and even if this issue is a little toned-down from previous one and some of the symbolism is on the nose, I still care.
Daniel Warren Johnson continues, too, to impress. He carefully crafts the extremes of this nuanced book. From last issue’s demonic visages to this issues asshole biker gang and gritty bar, it’s apparent that Johnson is more than capable of brining near any setting to visceral life. If Cates is in the driver’s seat of this truck of a book, Johnson is the one layering detailed flames on the exterior and he’s damn good at it.
This comic isn’t about trucks as much as it tries to make you think it is sometimes. They’re simply the vehicle of a bigger story. That story is one of intrigue, mystery, frustration, brokenness and violence. Yes, sometimes it's a little over the top but, if you haven’t read any of this book yet, I suggest you pick up the 1-4 pack on DH’s website as well as this new issue available digitally today. If you’re already on board, I’ll see you next month because after this set up, I’m sure you’re not going anywhere.
Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: March 5, 2015
DIGITAL PURCHASE LINK
Something strange happened in the world of comics recently, The Ghost Fleet, a comic that I, for all intents and purposes love and that I imagined would be flying off the shelves has been transitioned by Dark Horse to a digital only status and will be ending a few issues prematurely (8 will be the last instead of the previously planned 12).
It’s not my place to say if Dark Horse was right or wrong in that decision but, what I can tell you is that this issue, 5, is the beginning of the end and that now, more than ever, you should be reading it because Donny Cates and Daniel Warren Johnson are writing a hell of a comic here.
Trace awakes, confused and abused in a town that’s very name welcomes him, in a way. Mickey Reno, shadow assassin extraordinaire prepares to add another entry to his war journal and more. It’s an exciting set up that promises more to come and demonstrates how talented these creators are at the extremes this book touches on.
Cates writes an earnest and intriguing mystery, one full of bloodshed and gunplay but also of broken men and relationships. It’s more complex and rewarding than you might think and it’s quite apparent issue by issue that he is a talented and detail oriented scripter operating on a plane above the mundane. Trace is infinitely more interesting, I think, than John Wick, a character who he shares a lot of parallels with. I care about what happens to him. I care about his quest. I care about what’s in the truck. I care about the dog. I care, because Cates makes me care. It’s inspired writing and even if this issue is a little toned-down from previous one and some of the symbolism is on the nose, I still care.
Daniel Warren Johnson continues, too, to impress. He carefully crafts the extremes of this nuanced book. From last issue’s demonic visages to this issues asshole biker gang and gritty bar, it’s apparent that Johnson is more than capable of brining near any setting to visceral life. If Cates is in the driver’s seat of this truck of a book, Johnson is the one layering detailed flames on the exterior and he’s damn good at it.
This comic isn’t about trucks as much as it tries to make you think it is sometimes. They’re simply the vehicle of a bigger story. That story is one of intrigue, mystery, frustration, brokenness and violence. Yes, sometimes it's a little over the top but, if you haven’t read any of this book yet, I suggest you pick up the 1-4 pack on DH’s website as well as this new issue available digitally today. If you’re already on board, I’ll see you next month because after this set up, I’m sure you’re not going anywhere.
A Look Inside
