It may sounds funny but the term created by Aaron - ’Ghost Rider Survival Squad’ - might be appropriate enough how desperate are the last remaining spirits of vengeance who stand united against the vigilant Danny Ketch. The first half of this book is quite directive with flameheads clash. The urge look of the characters especially the Japanese spirit of vengeance, make it visually interesting, but it is not much more than an extended series of fight between the red and blue flames. Seriously, I am still thinking who’s behind the idea of creating this Japanese Rider who looks quite similar to Kaneda of Otomo Katsuhiro’s great Akira. Aaron or Huat?
Nowadays, there is a trend in the US mainstream comics in taking popular characters and rebrand them with fresh and differentiated representation that seems to excite fans constantly without fail. This series is not to be excluded. Within Aaron’s mould, Ghost Rider has transformed from a tepid, light-horror road story into a twisted, mythic, grindhouse opera, thanks to the Tan Eng Huat’s artwork strokes.
Tan Eng Huat might not draw comics that look like the rest of the Marvel line, but Ghost Rider shouldn’t be so American at all time. A critic mentioned that Huat is like Mike Mignola brewed with Kevin O’Neill, which ultimately makes Ghost Rider look like a Hellboy spliced with LXG. Frankly speaking, I do love Jose Villarubia’s choice of tones, and it works perfectly well with Huat’s pencilling and inking.
Johnny Blaze and the new nun-turns-Caretaker, together with the Asian flamehead allies are on some sightseeing journeys through out the world in search of the remaining few Riders. Regardless whether they’re actually riding or not, this alliance hopes they may reach these clueless Riders before Danny Ketch. This issue is actually the first time we catch a good glimpse of Zadkiel and his ongoing war against Heaven armies, which does not interest me much. If Ghost Riders’ beliefs may be integrated one to another, Taoism to Christianity to Islam to Buddhism, why not the the Heaven’s armies? Shouldn’t they consist of various believers too? This book may be classified as Parental Advisory item, but the way I see this one, it’s so Christian. On a second thought, I think Aaron should have done proper homework before integrating the Riders’ beliefs.
Some may say that Huat seems to have settled in with the characters flawlessly, and Johnny Blaze is now in the hand of the right creative team. But I lightly doubt that as Huat will be only riding on the flameheads up to issue #32.
Tags: Ghost Rider, Jason Aaron, Jose Villarubia, Tan Eng Huat
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