Comic Review: Ghost Rider (2019-) #1

Ghost Rider (2019-) #1

Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson

Artist: Aaron Kuder

Johnny Blaze became King of Hell, and then he just kind of went away for a while. But lately both he and other Ghost Rider Danny Ketch have been popping up with some frequency. I don’t look at comic book solicitations (so I can avoid spoilers) so I found out about this comic two weeks ago. The resurgence of the Ghost Riders suddenly made a lot more sense to me.

 The duties of being the King of Hell take Johnny Blaze to a portal where some demons escaped to Earth. Following them, Johnny Blaze goes to Earth and seeks the help of Danny Ketch. But Ketch is in a bad place, with his mom recently dead, and wanting nothing to do with being a Ghost Rider. Turning down his offer, Johnny Blaze continues on alone to hunt down rogue demons.

That’s pretty much all that happens in this first issue. We get a basic reintroduction to the characters and a hint at the bigger plot taking place. It’s not a bad first issue though, I’m not too familiar with these Ghost Riders, so a refresher is nice. I like a lot of comics I’ve been reading recently from Ed Brisson, so I’m confident that I’ll enjoy this one once I read more of it.

Where this issue really shines for me is the art. Aaron Kuder’s art is great but I was legitimately wowed by this issue. When we’re in hell in this issue, it looks like hell. New York looks like New York. The characters are all drawn well, and there are some interesting looking demon designs. In the middle of the issue, the two Ghost Riders team up and fight a giant demon monster in the city. The way they defeat it is a bit gruesome, but the illustration of it is just fantastic. Jason Keith is doing the coloring, and it looks good. He’s been coloring recent issues of Avengers and just like with that series, I have no complaints about the colors here. They work well with Kuder’s art.

I wouldn’t say I have mixed feelings about this issue, but that’s the closest way I can describe it. The story is fine for what it is, reintroducing Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch and just setting up things in general. I don’t think it’s bad, but there’s not much more to it than that. On the other hand, the art is absolutely fantastic and is my favorite part of the comic. At the very least I think this issue is worth checking out for the art. I’ll keep up with it though since I know Ed Brisson is a good writer. With the introductions of the characters out of the way, it’ll be interesting to see where the story goes from here. 

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