Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History #1 Review
Writers: Paul Scheer & Nick Giovannetti
Penciler: Gerardo Sandoval
Inker: Victor Nava
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I really, really loved Donny Cates’s Cosmic Ghost Rider mini. I laughed, I cried, I read it a couple more times. I was not, however, stoked when I heard that someone else would be heading a sort-of sequel. Would they get it right? Would they understand what made Cates’s story so good, and that CGR isn’t just Deadpool in space? …Apparently not.
It took me a couple of pages to adjust to the tone of this book. Frank Castle is reunited with his family and despite his thought bubbles, he doesn’t seem to care all that much. Once we actually got to CGR destroying Marvel history, though, I realized that this story isn’t meaning to take itself seriously at all. Here’s the thing, though: that doesn’t make it good. If it’s not going to take itself seriously, it still needs to have witty writing. Frankly, that’s just not here. The writers’ sense of humor is “lol random” for the most part. Score one for the “CGR is just Deadpool in space” crowd. But not even good Deadpool. It goes for the other characters, too. They’re kind of going for the relatable, everyday-villain-problems that you’d find in a Nick Spencer book, but they just fall flat. Frank is mostly just injected into some scenes from Marvel past, being needlessly violent – not that we get to see any of that.
But before I even came to that conclusion, imagine my disappointment when I open this book to find Gerardo Sandoval’s pencils. I remember now, of course, saying that I would steer clear of this title because of his involvement. I obviously forgot, and uh, yeah, I don’t think it’s good. It’s so stylized, so if you already like it, I’m not going to change your mind. But I personally am I not a fan of this edgy (I mean, Jesus, look at those shoulder spikes!) faux-manga line work. The coloring is easily the best thing about the book. It’s at its best when CGR’s flames illuminate the room like a nice, romantic candle-lit dinner. Aside from that, though, I don’t think there’s anything particularly special about it.
If it wasn’t obvious already, I’m not recommending this book to anyone. It was always going to live or die by its writing, and it’s just not where it needs to be. Pile on some really unattractive characters, with no captivating scenery to boot, and yeah, this one’s a dud. I just read it for free and I’m still annoyed that I just spent my time on it.
Penciler: Gerardo Sandoval
Inker: Victor Nava
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I really, really loved Donny Cates’s Cosmic Ghost Rider mini. I laughed, I cried, I read it a couple more times. I was not, however, stoked when I heard that someone else would be heading a sort-of sequel. Would they get it right? Would they understand what made Cates’s story so good, and that CGR isn’t just Deadpool in space? …Apparently not.
It took me a couple of pages to adjust to the tone of this book. Frank Castle is reunited with his family and despite his thought bubbles, he doesn’t seem to care all that much. Once we actually got to CGR destroying Marvel history, though, I realized that this story isn’t meaning to take itself seriously at all. Here’s the thing, though: that doesn’t make it good. If it’s not going to take itself seriously, it still needs to have witty writing. Frankly, that’s just not here. The writers’ sense of humor is “lol random” for the most part. Score one for the “CGR is just Deadpool in space” crowd. But not even good Deadpool. It goes for the other characters, too. They’re kind of going for the relatable, everyday-villain-problems that you’d find in a Nick Spencer book, but they just fall flat. Frank is mostly just injected into some scenes from Marvel past, being needlessly violent – not that we get to see any of that.
But before I even came to that conclusion, imagine my disappointment when I open this book to find Gerardo Sandoval’s pencils. I remember now, of course, saying that I would steer clear of this title because of his involvement. I obviously forgot, and uh, yeah, I don’t think it’s good. It’s so stylized, so if you already like it, I’m not going to change your mind. But I personally am I not a fan of this edgy (I mean, Jesus, look at those shoulder spikes!) faux-manga line work. The coloring is easily the best thing about the book. It’s at its best when CGR’s flames illuminate the room like a nice, romantic candle-lit dinner. Aside from that, though, I don’t think there’s anything particularly special about it.
If it wasn’t obvious already, I’m not recommending this book to anyone. It was always going to live or die by its writing, and it’s just not where it needs to be. Pile on some really unattractive characters, with no captivating scenery to boot, and yeah, this one’s a dud. I just read it for free and I’m still annoyed that I just spent my time on it.
A Look Inside
