In this review of Space Ghost #1 (vol.2), Jan and Jace have an awkward family reunion with their long lost grandfather, while Space Ghost (and Blip) become the unexpected main attraction in Toymaker’s murder and mayhem broadcast.
Space Ghost #1
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Main Cover: Francesco Mattina
Variant Covers: Jae Lee, Björn Barends, Francesco Mattina, Alex Ross
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: August 13, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Space Ghost #1 opens with a live broadcast from Planet Playtopia which is quickly revealed to be a ruse perpetrated by the sinister Toymaker, who has renamed it Planet Slaytopia (but is there still a ball pit?).
Space Ghost #1 then splits into two separate storylines. First up, orphaned twins Jan and Jace Keplar meet with their previously unknown grandfather, Doctor Henry Contra, at his palatial mansion.
Back on Slaytopia, Space Ghost is forced to take part in Toymaker’s twisted games in order to save hostages from a literal ticking timebomb. Blip the space monkey commandeers one of Toymaker’s small drones to free Space Ghost from a giant robot, prompting Toymaker to send a roller coaster directly into the path of several hostages tied up on the tracks, (in case there is there was any doubt that this comic is based on an old cartoon).
Meanwhile, Doctor Contra reveals his tragic backstory as a self-absorbed, workaholic scientist who lost touch with his daughter decades ago…(wait a minute, is he secretly Rick Sanchez?) The twins then recount how “Dax” (Space Ghost) rescued them from a pirate attack that had killed their parents, but Jan angrily leaves the room after Doctor Contra suggests that they stay and live with him.
Back on Slaytopia, Space Ghost derails the runaway coaster with a solid kick (remind me what his powers are again?) but as Blip frees the hostages, they turn out to be just cleverly disguised killer robots. Space Ghost makes short work of the deadly toys, but falls into Toymaker’s reality manipulator trap.
Captured and wounded, Space Ghost plays to Toymaker’s ego, offering up his cache of confiscated tech in exchange for a one-on-one fight with the villain. Toymaker accepts the challenge, but insists on choosing a hall of mirrors for their final showdown. Space Ghost stays on the defensive while avoiding the deadly traps, but the gambit is just a ruse allowing Blip to help take Toymaker down.
Doctor Contra finds Jan sitting outside, and gently prompts her to open up. Jan explains how Dax changed their lives, giving them a sense of purpose after the loss of their parents. Doctor Contra seems to now grasp Dax’s importance to his grandchildren, and hopes that he can still be in their lives, to which Jan says yes.
Space Ghost #1 ends with a warning from the defeated Toymaker that “Tempus” is coming for Space Ghost, to which the hero declares that he is ready, (he probably isn’t).
Analysis
Space Ghost #1 picks up in the middle of the action for both tales, but readers are quickly caught up as Jan, Jace (and Toymaker) fill in most of the knowledge gaps with some helpful exposition (which is especially useful who for a reviewer who might have dropped the previous series after only three issues).
The returning creative team of David Pepose (Savage Avengers), and Jonathan Lau (Green Hornet) sets up season two with a new status quo by exploring the importance of Space Ghost as a galactic hero and a protector to his two young charges. Doctor Contra’s inclusion in Space Ghost #1 (not only shifts the narrative (does he know about Dax’s job?), but also allows for a quick recap of the hero’s origin story.
Pepose skillfully advances both plots, each with their own sense of dramatic tension (no death traps in the Contra mansion). Pepose’s writing clearly defines the differences in Jan and Jace’s personalities and speaking styles, while toning down some of the title hero’s penchant for cheesy dialogue inspired by the source material.
Some of the writing drifts into cliché, but there are still plenty of solid one-liners, and Pepose’s exploration of the found family concept is also heart-warming. Toymaker plays the intermediate villain in Space Ghost #1, with the appropriate amount of menace and wit (and bad puns), acting as a warm-up act or herald for the mysterious big boss Tempus.
Not being fully familiar with the source material, the introduction of Doctor Contra to the overall story dynamic seems more than likely to shake things up in season two. This seemingly kind and gentle grandfather might be hiding some deep, dark secrets (as rich people, and scientists seem to do). Bad news for the twins, but good news for the readers. Also, it is unclear whether the Contra is aware of Dax’s alter ego as it seems both Jan and Jace seem to hint at it throughout the issue.
Artist Jonathan Lau dazzles with some energetic page layouts, while his sketchy style still evokes the classic elements of the original classic Space Ghost design. But, even with all of the action in Space Ghost #1, some of the quieter moments actually work best, including the panel of Doctor Contra’s sense of frustration and helplessness, and that brilliant shot of Jan and Contra (and their shadows) outside the mansion.
Final Thoughts
Space Ghost #1 kicks off the new series with a welcome recap and a hint of larger things to come. This is an enjoyable read with action, humor, hope and heart that knows it doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel to create a rousing space adventure comic for fans of both eras.
