Ghost Racers #2

Writer – Felippe Smith
Artist – Juan Gedeon
Colours – Tamra Bonvillain

Ghost Racers continues to be an exciting title with this second issue and it gives us not only a lot of action, but a little backstory on Robbie Reyes as well and how he came to be a Ghost Racer in the Killiseum. As evidenced last issue, the Ghost Racers who do not win the race are subject to torture and Gabe questions Robbie on the subject to which Robbie of course, lies. The book then flashes back to how Robbie came to end up in the races and to say he did not join willingly is putting it lightly. Felippe Smith crafts an intriguing story that draws you right into the plight of these Spirits of Ignition. While it is exciting to see them battling it out, you also feel bad for them as they are doing so against their will and only for the fact that the losers experience a pain that nobody wishes to go through. If you have read the latest Ghost Rider series you will find that our main character is not too far off the mark here with little change in his personality, though Gabe seems to be a little more independent in this book. The rest of the Ghost Racers are an interesting lot, made up of those Ghost Riders we have come to know and love with a couple of new and unfamiliar ones thrown into the lot with this issue. Juan Gedeon really gives the book a great energy and at times, it feels electric when reading it. If a new Ghost Rider title should make an appearance after Secret Wars, Gedeon is the man to draw it. While Reyes is the focus of the book and Arcade the big bad, it would be great to see some of the other Ghost Racers take a little bit of the spotlight as well, whether it be Alejandra, Danny Ketch or even Vengeance who shows up this in this chapter. All in all, Ghost Racers is a very solid, enjoyable and exciting book.

4 out of 5

Starfire #2

Writer – Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Artist – Emanuela Lupacchino
Inker – Ray McCarthy
Colorus – Hi-Fi

There is a hurricane battering Kori’s new home and there is not much else to do but help out those who are unable to help themselves. The storm is a harsh one and literally every person that Kori has met so far is in need of some assistance which she is only too happy to give. What is really great about the book is that Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti still manage to pack some humour into it even though it is a bit of a serious situation. Another plus to the story is the fact that Starfire, even though she is the main character, does not overshadow the rest of the cast who seem to be playing just as important part in the book as she does. By far the most interesting supporting cast member is Stella Gomez who looks like she is going to be Kori’s best friend going forward and it should be a lot of fun seeing her more straightforward sensibilities mix with Kori’s carefree attitude and lifestyle. Emanuela Lupacchino’s artwork continues to impress with a design that seems almost like a cross between a more cartoonish style and that of Adam Hughes. It works magnificently and while the book features a more traditional approach to panel design, it works perfectly. So far there has been no big villain making an appearance, but with this issue and the small little cliff-hanger the book is left on, that might change come the next issue. Brilliant stuff from Conner, Palmiotti and Lupacchino.

4 out of 5