DC COMICS – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Jeff Parker
ARTISTS: Ariel Olivetti
COLORS: Ariel Olivetti
LETTERS: A Larger World Studios
COVER: Ariel Olivetti
VARIANT COVER: Steve Rude
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2017)
Rated “T” for “Teen”
“The Quest Reborn!”
“Space Ghost” was an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series was created by animation conceptual artist, Alex Toth (who is also considered a legendary comic book artist) and was produced and directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. A half-hour show, “Space Ghost” first aired on CBS from September 10, 1966, to September 7, 1968.
“Space Ghost” starred a mysterious superhero named Space Ghost, who fought supervillains in outer space. He was assisted by two teenaged sidekicks, a girl named Jan and a boy named Jace, and their monkey named “Blip.” Space Ghost has made sporadic appearances in comic books. He returned in a slightly rebooted version in DC Comics' comic book miniseries, “Future Quest” (2016), which brought together characters from Hanna-Barbera's science fiction superhero animated TV series of the 1960 and early 1970s.
Now, Space Ghost and company get a their own story in the new Future Quest Presents. This Space Ghost adventure is written by Future Quest scribe, Jeff Parker; drawn and painted by Ariel Olivetti (who drew DC's 2005 Space Ghost six-issue miniseries); and lettered by A Larger World Studio.
Future Quest Presents #1 opens with Space Ghost dispatching a band of raiders. Then, it moves to a school where we find Jan and Jace learning about a history in which they recently played a part. History is emphasized, as Space Ghost is planning to revive the “Space Force,” of which he is the sole surviving member. First, he will need to begin gathering a metal that was important to the Space Force. That means a trip with Jan and Jack and Blip to Amzot, the planet of his friends, The Herculoids. But also waiting is an old enemy.
Future Quest Presents #1 is by no means great or even particularly good, but I'll take it. I have been a Space Ghost fan since I was a little kid, and there have never been enough Space Ghost comic books to suit me. Yeah, I expect more from writer Jeff Parker than I got here, especially coming off the wonderful Hanna-Barber tribute that was Future Quest. Hopefully, the series/story arc gets stronger.
I am a fan of artist Ariel Olivetti, and I did like his art in the one issue of the 2005 Space Ghost miniseries that I did read (issue #2). Here, he is inconsistent, but I think Olivetti may deliver some really good art and graphical storytelling as he gains momentum.
I am rooting for this comic book, and I plan to read the entire run – whether it is ultimately good or middling.
6.5 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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