The Devourer Of Worlds and the Spirit Of Vengeance Pull Back the Curtains in Ghost Rider vs. Galactus #1

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Johnny Blaze puts his power to the test in Ghost Rider vs. Galactus #1, written by J. Michael Straczynski, drawn by Juan Ferreyra with cover art by Terry Dodson. Ghost Rider aims to use his penance stare against Galactus as retribution for the billions of lives devoured by the world-eater.

Straczynski continues to be committed to character exploration in this entry of his recent series of Marvel pairings. In late ‘70s New York, The Thing is in the middle of busting a wanted murderer. Before he has a chance to seal the deal, Ghost Rider arrives and challenges the murderer to a staring contest. After Ben realizes the potential of Johnny’s penance stare, he asks him if it could work on Galactus. Ghost Rider then takes to space to enact justice on behalf of all who have fallen to The Devourer of Worlds. But despite its epic scale, Straczynski crafts a story that’s less about grandeur and more about its participants.

1970s New York, Characters Welcome

Johnny Blaze and Ben Grimm Connect

It’s fitting that this story begins with an extended back-and-forth between The Thing and Ghost Rider. These two characters have a great exchange that really sets the tone for the issue. It acts as a sort of Trojan Horse of the comic. Readers expect this to feature a back-and-forth between Galactus and Ghost Rider, but are pleasantly surprised to see Johnny and Ben bounce off of each other. It’s yet another perfect character pairing.

Or it could even have been with another hot-headed Johnny. But instead, Straczynski pairs Ghost Rider with The Thing, a character who has long wrestled with the burden of his power and the responsibility of being a hero.

Of all the Fantastic Four members, Ben Grimm carries his burden in a very tangible way, not unlike Johnny Blaze. It makes all the sense in the world that Ben would examine Johnny’s power and then approach him about using it on Galactus. It all works as a very satisfying introduction.

An Eye for Detail

Moments That Jump off the Page

A few of the most inspired panels in the issue are the moments where Ghost Rider is staring someone down with his penance stare. Readers see it in action early on with the murder in New York, and obviously again against Galactus in space. For a handful of panels that are essentially just close-ups of eyes, they are so effective.

The commitment to the composition, the level of detail in the characters’ faces, and the expression in Ghost Rider’s eyes, specifically, successfully conveys the weight of the moment. In general, the art throughout this issue is off the charts. It’s dramatic, epic in scale, and again notably detailed.

It makes everything feel that much more visceral. It makes these larger-than-life moments, like a giant Ghost Rider clashing with Galactus in the depths of space, somehow feel weighty, thus real. It’s an impressive feat that works to ground the story. All of the artists behind this issue use every tool at their disposal to enforce what this is all actually about: its characters.

A Great Premise, Brilliantly Executed

In a High-Stakes Situation, Character Is Still the Most Important Thing

Having Ghost Rider use his penance stare to compel Galactus to feel guilt and remorse for his crimes is a brilliant premise. It’s such a fitting escalation for Johnny Blaze. What bigger fish is there for him to fry? It doesn’t require a lot of explanation or set up; readers buy into it right away. The issue also doesn’t waste any time getting Ghost Rider in space to face off with Galactus.

But the real genius here is how this epic idea is ultimately revealed as a device in which readers will learn more about the characters. This isn’t an all-out comic book event focused on cameos and big action set-pieces. Instead, this issue gets quiet.

It slows things down and pulls the curtain back on the characters. It becomes clear that this issue is not about a solution to an age-old Marvel Comics problem or about winners and losers in battle; it’s about Johnny Blaze and Galan of Taa. Galactus doesn’t feel remorse because it’s in his nature to do what he does, and it always has been.

Johnny Blaze learns to appreciate the beauty in the world despite the destruction and his convictions. It’s not a neat and tidy ending, but it doesn’t need to be because readers leave this issue knowing more about the characters.

“}]] Johnny Blaze puts the power of the Spirit of Vengeance to the test against Marvel’s cosmic Devourer of Worlds in Ghost Rider vs. Galactus #1.  Read More