Reviewed By Torin Chambers. “Ghost Fleet” #4 gets real this month, swapping out hardcore action for an emotional rollercoaster. The best part? It works, it works really well. With each passing issue and the deeper we get into this story the more it strays from how it was originally presented. From seeing its original announcement at NYCC last year there’s no way I could’ve guessed it’d be going in the direction it now is. Which is in no way a negative, as this series has proven to be superbly intriguing.
WRITTEN BY: Donny Cates
ART BY: Daniel Warren Johnson
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: February 4, 2014
Initially we’re treated to a flashback showing Ward and Trace in an incredibly different time. Wards been drinking heavily in his car, too ashamed or too scared to enter his own home. Until he hears a scream and goes rushing in, hand on his gun, ready for anything. Except to deal with his wife’s cancer. Turns out Trace and Sara have been waiting for him for hours as he’s been out drowning himself in the drink. Trace takes him outside in the friendliest way possible and lays it all out for him, how he’s gotta step up and really be there for his wife. This whole scene is a real gut punch I was never expecting from Ghost Fleet, but one I welcome with open arms. (maybe that’s how they gut punched me so easily)
Later in the issue things get really gnarly and supernatural but I won’t spoil any of it because it’s totally rad. Another character is also introduced this issue, he beautifully takes care of the balls to the walls action for this month. How he ties into everything isn’t very clear but make sure to keep an eye on his t-shirt, trust me.
Meanwhile Lauren Affe’s colors add a surreal texture to the book that you really can’t find anywhere else in comics. It straddles the line between a old school pulp book and new school awesome.
The concept of this series has evolved into something tremendous and has built with every subsequent issue. Now that we’ve reached the fourth chapter everything that has been teased is coming together beautifully in a way that doesn’t feel forced but organically challenges every thing that came before in brand new ways. This is one stellar read. If you come to the series for amazing action scenes, you’ll find plenty to love this month, but if you linger a little longer you’ll find yourself immersed in an emotional and surprising read.
Donny Cates and Daniel Warren Johnson have truly hit their stride now, this is the best Ghost Fleet issue yet and I’m craving that next issue more than my many chemical dependencies.