“Five Ghosts” penultimate chapter is filled with explosive action. Barbiere wastes no time in this issue. Fabian is dunked deep under the water; he arises into a state of confusion. The frenzied action begins early and doesn’t let up. Fabian finds himself lost in a dreamscape, being challenged by all of his ghosts. This choice works fantastically as every panel flies by with such kinetic energy. The read is fast and thrilling. Setting up the story for a massive conclusion next month.

WRITTEN BY: Frank J Barbiere
ART BY: Chris Mooneyham
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: June 26, 2013

In the real world, things are decidedly going to shit. A strong choice by Barbiere, since it seems all is lost when Fabian eventually finds his way out of his personal hell.

Fabian must fight his way through a series of trails. This will allow him to harness his power and fully earn each one of them. Yet, interestingly enough Fabian must overcome said trails as himself, without these powers he’s grown so accustomed to. So the issue is packed with action, which also says a lot about character. Well done Barbiere… well done.

However, this issue belongs to Mooneyham. His art is on full display here. No pesky word bubbles to crowd the page. His art is clear, clean, and effective. Fabian’s story is incredibly fun and easy to follow. The trail of the archer has Fabian performing some complex moves that Mooneyham’s panels convey with masterful simplicity.

The showdown on pages twenty and twenty-one is particularly beautiful. With the face melting on twenty-three Mooneyham really knocks things out of the park. He embraces the pulp feeling of the book. The saturated color palate with his hard dark lines makes every action jump off the page.

Barbiere uses the issue to tease us with a little more insight into Fabian’s past. The lightening quick pace allows us to see Fabian succeed against huge odds only to be stopped dead right before the big finale. The issue is light on forward plot progression, but gives enough action to satisfy.

The penultimate chapter of any story is usually filled to the brim with action. In a story so packed with supernatural powers it is interesting to see a reduced Fabian overcome all the danger here in this issue. Something tells me his true power will come from within once he’s out of the dreamscape, but we’ll see.

“Five Ghosts” has been a thrilling ride, and doesn’t want to stop. The story is firing on all cylinders and continues to be incredibly compelling. This is a story you’ll only find in comics (unless they pick it up as a film), and it shines through. The anticipation for the final chapter starts now. It cannot come soon enough, and at the same time I never want “Five Ghosts” to end.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Jimbus_Christ