Broken Frontier

This week, the amnesiac Michael gets a lesson in Dunsinane family history from his mentor and protector the Grim Ghost, who finds himself having to justify the rash words that closed out chapter one in Atlas/Ardden’s resurrection of the 1970s supernatural wonder. After revealing that Michael’s immortal soul was his ultimate goal, the Grim Ghost finds himself in the awkward position of explaining himself to his would-be protégé.

There’s just something I like about this title. It’s just cheesy enough. Sometimes, we tend to take our comic books too seriously – reviewers especially. The fact is The Grim Ghost is a fun read, with as many twists and turns as the titular character's  voluminous cloak and a distinct visual tone, thanks to the inimitable Kelley Jones.

Isabella and Susco’s pacing for the series is refreshing. Rather than begin with the origin of their incarnation of the Grim Ghost in the first issue, they immediately set up his new status quo in the limbo realm called the Fringe. This issue, they do an exceptional job of interweaving the previous versions of their protagonist’s surprisingly complex origin into a new, still-unfolding backstory. Evading Michael’s demand for answers with parables of vengeance from his past, the Ghost only succeeds in driving his potential protégé into the waiting hands of his eternal nemesis, Braddock. Dunsinane’s deceptively brutish antagonist is surprisingly engaging in the writing team’s hands. Like Michael he doesn’t act as the audience expects. He truly believes his goal are justified and possesses a cunning intellect capable of rationalizing his violent tendencies. With unknown motivations, he is free to approach his quarry on level ground, thanks to the Ghost’s secretive nature, and actually ends up providing more answers to Michael than his adversary. Whether this is for better or worse is yet to be seen.

Kelley Jones' art is loose yet clean and oozes atmosphere with great gobs of ink. The Fringe and its inhabitants have a lost, desolate feel to them – timeless, immortal shades haunting a twilit urban wasteland that taunts with familiarity. Jones can spot the blacks like few others in comics and his ability to convey mood and emotion with artfully placed shadows is unparalled.

Thanks to a crisp, twisting plot and distinctive, atmospheric art, The Grim Ghost is a fun, visually stunning read. Highly recommended candy for your brain. Tune out. Turn the page. Repeat and enjoy.