“Ghost Fleet” #8 ends on an exceptionally high note, pulling out all the stops for a truly legendary final issue. Satisfying doesn’t even begin to describe it, every thirst, every want, every desire is fulfilled. Series long payoffs fire off constantly and there’s even a few late game twists that I guarantee you will not see coming. Couple all that with a bold ending that has a beautiful finality to it and you’ve got one hell of a conclusion.
WRITTEN BY: Donny Cates
ART BY: Daniel Warren Johnson
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: June 3, 2015
This is a tight, jammed packed issue that barrels forward at full speed. There’s a lot of story to cover here but even amidst all the hectic and frenzied action Cates manages to infuse several quality laughs. Striking a perfect balance between the fun comedic moments and the potential destruction of everyone and everything that exists.
The stakes are high in this final round, higher than I could’ve possibly imagined back in issue #1. We’re talking about the conceivable apocalypse here, not a metaphorical one either. A full blown, we’re all fucked scenario with no winners, only losers. With this much on the table the tension never falters, building with every moment to a fever pitch.
It’s a fucking exhilarating read. It amps you up to it’s level and never lets go. Even after it was over, post climax, post epilogue I wanted nothing more than to continue reading. The story and characters are all wrapped up brilliantly but even so you’ll thirst for more of their adventures. Not to spoil anything but the ending does leave the doors open for a potential sequel series, one I hope to one day read. Additionally I cannot think of a duo better suited to tackle an ongoing Mad Max comic than Donny Cates and Daniel Warren Johnson, they’d fucking kill it.
Ghost Fleet was a magnificent thing that sadly never found the massive audience it deserved. The upcoming trades could change all of that though, so if you love Ghost Fleet make some noise. Tell all of your friends, colleagues and casual acquaintances. Screech it from the rooftops, because no one should live without the haunting beauty that is Ghost Fleet.