Writer: Steve Albertson
Artist: Jacob Elijah
Publisher: Image Comics
Plot:
In the post-apocalyptic city of Chi Nova, Keico Loc is a bounty hunter employed by the enigmatic E.B.S Agency. But when a terrorist cell threatens to launch a deadly new bio-toxin against the unsuspecting population, Keico finds herself caught up in the midst of a deadly conspiracy.
Comments:
Ghost Spy is one of those rare and unexpected comics that blends an entertaining story and brilliant artwork with enough gore splattered eviscerations to make even Ted Bundy nauseous. Throw in subtle characterization, an in-depth plot, and visually stunning action sequences that would make even John Woo soil himself in appreciation, and you have the makings of a cult hit.
Ghost Spy #2 continues the exploits of Keico Loc; a deadly bounty-hunter struggling to survive in the city of Chi-Nova after a series of massive ecological attacks devastated most of the earth. Chi-Nova (built in the ruins of old Chicago) is a sprawling city where high-tech meets street smart, and where cybernetic ass-kickers and machine gun totting mercenaries wage war amidst crumbling sky scrapers. In issue #1 Keico managed to stop a series of deadly terrorist attacks against the city and recovered a lethal bio-toxin known as Arenifin. She was then ordered to transport the deadly material for further study and joined forces with the psychopathic cyborg duo of Rame and Griggs. After battling their way past dozens of tanks waging a massive gang war on the outskirts of the city, Keico killed Griggs in an act of cold blooded defiance only to be gassed in the underground bunker where they were to deliver the deadly bio-toxin. Issue #2 picks up with Keico now undergoing a series of brutal experiments in an underground laboratory and eventually being rescued by the deadly (and extremely cool-looking) Sho Lo, who is a member of an underground resistance known as the Revlow’s. The story rounds out by giving a few hints of Keico’s own mysterious past, and further develops the Arenifin conspiracy.
Steven Albertson’s writing also continues to develop in Ghost Spy #2 and the reader is given a larger sense of the characters and the evolving story-arc. But where Ghost Spy really shines is in the mind-blowingly brilliant artwork of Jacob Elijah. Elijah is clearly a master of his craft, moving from the brutal and atmospheric scenes of Keico being tortured, to the explosive, brain-splattering rescue sequence featuring Sho Lo. Elijah’s work is some of the finest Image has ever produced and as with issue #1, Ghost Spy is worth picking up for the art alone.
Ultimately, it’s clear that Ghost Spy is a labor of love for creators Jacob Elijah and Steve Albertson (the duo are also the founders of up and coming comics studio, Shadow Tactics). It’s refreshing to see that Image is continuing to take chances on young talent and with issue 3 set for release in early September, Ghost Spy continues to prove itself as an entertaining new title. After all, there’s nothing like a little gratuitous cyborg violence to help get us through those last pesky days of summer.
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