Comic Review: Cosmic Ghost Rider #2

Cosmic Ghost Rider #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Donny Cates

Artist: Dylan Burnett

Our review of the previous Cosmic Ghost Rider issue was touch-and-go but had an exciting ending that left us wanting the next issue to hurry up and release. Well, kids…it’s here…and it’s better than we expected. Marvel does a great job of recapping Issue #1, so we will cut to them. Marvel?

“Frank Castle was a decorated Marine and an upstanding citizen when his family was killed in a mob hit. From that day, he was a force of retribution…in life and in his roles after death – As Ghost Rider, as Herald of Galactus, and as Thanos’ right-hand man.

Then Frank died for real. But he was unable to rest in Valhalla, knowing there was justice left to serve against the worst of the worst: Thanos himself.

Traveling back in time, Frank Castle prepared to kill Baby Thanos in his crib.

But he just couldn’t do it.”

In this issue, Frank goes to planet Markus-Centauri to talk to an old friend and scheme about what to do with Baby Thanos. To tell you the friend would spoil the first surprise that Cates has for you. The issue takes place in a short amount of time, but almost every panel is pure gold. Frank’s character paired up with Baby Thanos is just the stuff of genius. The book ends with an appearance of a reimagined Guardians of the Galaxy team led by Cable. Use that page to see if you can figure out who the rest of the team is. There are some funny, bordering on absurd, mix-and-match characters to be seen.

The magic of this issue is Donny Cates. Frank’s lines and delivery are some of the best I have seen. Perhaps the humor appeals to me more than others, but I don’t think that is the case. You can let me know in the comments below. Cates has created a character that has great timing and reactions to situations. I’ve read comedic characters in comics before, but I’ve never seen one this well done. You can hear the beats that Cates is going for in the bubbles and it just further shows us how much of a talent he is in this medium.

Dylan Burnett gets to show off a little bit here, but not as much as the previous issue. Apart from some of his work on the two-page splash and the star sharks…yes…star sharks, I would say the best artwork here is the creativity and execution of the unconventional Guardians of the Galaxy that end this issue. Burnett is serviceable in the action-less panels, but I give him credit for using his sketches to sell some of the comedy.

Cosmic Ghost Rider is coming along swimmingly, and I can’t recommend it more. The issues are scant and full of color and humor which isn’t hard to find, but when it is done this well, it is just so much fun to read. This is a limited series so do your collection and favor and pick these up. The premise is wacky to be sure, but the enjoyment is high.