All-New Ghost Rider #01

by King on October 25, 2014

All-New Ghost Rider #01 Main Image
Writer: Felipe Smith
Artist: Tradd Moore
Colorist: Val Staples
Publisher: Marvel

When I first heard about the new Ghost Rider series, I was a bit intrigued. I’ve always loved the character and premise, and have been trying to get into him since the “movies” came out. This will be the first and last mention of the Ghost Rider movies (hopefully) for the rest of any reviews I plan on writing.

After doing some more research, I came to find out that Marvel planned it as part of their “All-New” initiative of reformatting old heroes, and that this incarnation of the Ghost Rider would be a Hispanic youth by the name of Robby Reyes. I’m one for diversity, but I’ve got to admit that I was a bit worried that this might be another forced attempt at creating a demographic specific hero. THEN I learned that Tradd Moore (of “Luther Strode fame”) would be attached as artist, and I quickly forgot all that other crap. I, for one, LOVE Moore’s art and fluidity in illustrations, so anything he’s on I’m up for. I still didn’t know what to expect, and must admit that this first issue was a pleasant surprise.

Robby Reyes, our hero, is not the typical badass. He’s not one to needlessly pick brawl, and he’s not the biggest/meanest dude on the block, he’s just a teen trying to make ends meet for himself and his special needs brother. Part of me wants to say it’s a cheap shot, but the connection I immediately felt as an older brother drew me in; my own brother isn’t special needs by the way, but I nonetheless felt for Robby’s situation. In fact, if Robby’s got one vice, it’s in the form of illegal street racing – because what’s a Ghost Rider without a little need for speed? Without saying too much Robby becomes the eponymous hero, but oddly enough without having to forge a pact with Mephisto, adding an air of mystery as to how/why he actually acquired his powers.

All in all, the combination of Smith’s down to Earth narrative, Staples’s vibrancy in details, and of course Moore’s hyper-stylized/ultra-kinetic illustration, this new take on an old hero is one that I look forward to reading for issues to come. 

Our Score:

8/10

A Look Inside