Comics
Review: “Five Ghosts” # 12
“Five Ghosts” #12 provides an incredible finale to the stupendous Lost Coastlines arc. Fabian is tested in every measure and Frank J Barbiere reminds us of the hero’s ultimate quest with a fantastic turn that’s bound to bring the series in a new direction.
This is pure comics perfection.
WRITTEN BY: Frank J Barbiere
ART BY: Chris Mooneyham
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: June 04, 2014
I’m always stunned with how tightly crafted this series feels. Barbiere wastes no time getting into his finale and does so with bloodshed, history, and an immense challenge for his hero. There is a ton happening on these pages but none of it ever feels forced or out of place, rather everything has bled into this moment organically.
Fabian is challenged by his past, and forced to confront his demons. It’s a beautiful way to bring the whole arc full circle and provides one hell of a battle for Chris Mooneyham to sink his teeth into. Everything moves quickly but the focus is purely on Fabian. His ghosts take a seat out to watch the fight and Mooneyham quickly takes hold. Fabian is raw and determined in this confrontation, but it doesn’t prove enough.
The result is a huge finish to a conflict that’s been bubbling for a long time. The script pushes Fabian to the edge, and forces him into a corner. Luckily he lashes out wildly and the resulting pages are a flurry of awesome death. Amongst all the magic and wonder the book still finds time to inject horror into Fabian’s world. The power he must draw from is dark and draining, and only time will tell how this will permanently affect the hero.
For now it seems for the better. The ultimate choice made within these closing pages comes to define a new era for the book with a glimmer of hope. I’m still not convinced Fabian’s a good dude, but he’s making efforts to become something better. The ultimate question is whether or not he’s capable of it. Something I hope to see more of in the forthcoming arc.
The team on “Five Ghosts” have created a beautiful and polished love letter to pulp storytelling that can stand among giants. It’s terribly entertaining. The magical color work of Lauren Affe will take you to another world and dare you to leave. The visceral art of Chris Mooneyham will sink it’s claws into you and defy everything you know about paneling. While Frank J Barbiere’s script will push you through 24 pages faster than previously thought possible.
Lost Coastlines was decidedly different than what came before, and the risk paid off. “Five Ghosts” is still an insanely good time with relentlessly paced storytelling that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I’m sad to see it go for a couple months, but already can’t wait for it to return.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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