Warning! Spoilers ahead for Ghost Machine #1!2024’s most exciting imprint under Image Comics shows off its upcoming best stories with Ghost Machine #1. The new venture made waves at last year’s New York Comic Con with the announcement that several comic book legends such as Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Peter J. Tomasi, Bryan Hitch and others were uniting for a creator-owned media company. Ghost Machine has big plans for 2024 and it all starts with Ghost Machine #1, an intriguing 64-page special that goes all-out and offers every comic fan something they’re sure to enjoy.
“The Unnamed” is an Intriguing and Gripping Universe-in-Progress
The first section of Ghost Machine #1 is dedicated to The Unnamed Universe, a sprawling world that builds off of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s work in Geiger and Junkyard Joe. “The Unnamed” tells the story of heroes throughout centuries of American history from the days of the American Revolution to the post-apocalyptic future of 2050. This chapter reintroduces Johns and Frank’s nuclear hero Geiger in a brand-new story while expanding on a character introduced in Geiger 80-Page Giant #1: the immortal fighter Simon Pure, aka Redcoat.
Joining Johns to tell Pure’s story is fellow Ghost Machine exclusive creator, Bryan Hitch. Unlike the stoic and thoughtful Geiger, Redcoat is a shiftless loudmouth who has made enemies out of some of the greatest figures in history. Redcoat has been fighting since the birth of America and his immortality has caused him more trouble than it’s helped him. But Pure takes his numerous deaths and resurrections in stride in a short story that’s sure to please fans of snarky, mystical rogues.
In addition to the story by Johns, Frank, and Hitch, fans are also treated to a timeline of the Unnamed Universe which helps establish the scope of the overall story. There are also profiles to prepare fans about the most important characters in Ghost Machine’s soon-to-be-released books. While “The Unnamed” might be a bit more rewarding for people who already have a vested interest in books like Geiger or Junkyard Joe, the creative team here does a fantastic job of crafting an intriguing and great-looking story.
“Rook: Exodus” Has Strong Ideas, But Needs More Time
The next section of Ghost Machine #1 follows an independent story called “Rook: Exodus” by Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok. This six-page story is an epic sci-fi tale set on a terraformed world where animal life is controlled by Wardens, people who wear helmets to influence various species. Rook, a former farmer, is desperate to get off of Exodus and return home. Unfortunately, the parts Rook needs to repair a ship are hard to come by, and evil forces are seizing control of the planet.
“Rook: Exodus” is an interesting idea for a story that combines sci-fi with a primal ‘man vs. nature’ theme and critiques of corporations ravaging the planet. Unfortunately, it’s a premise that needs a bit more fleshing out than six pages can provide. To this chapter’s credit, it also contains profiles to elaborate on the series’ main characters. But this story could have used a few more pages to really enthuse readers. That said, it’s a story that shows promise for what Ghost Machine has to offer.
Family Odysseys Stands Out with Adorable and Humorous Stories
Unlike “The Unnamed” or “Rook: Exodus”, Ghost Machine’s Family Odysseys chapter is all about laughs and family dynamics. This section showcases two upcoming series, The Rocketfellers by Peter J. Tomasi and Francis Manapul and Hornsby & Halo by Tomasi and Peter Snejbjerg. “The Rocketfellers” short centers around a family from the future forced to hide out in the past after being placed into the Time Zone Protection Program. Meanwhile, “Hornsby & Halo” centers around a pair of angel and demon pre-teens unknowingly a part of a cosmic truce.
“The Rocketfellers” is an immensely charming tale. Roland Rocketfeller is a simple man who just wants to keep his family together amid this trying period of their lives. Tomasi and Manapul are a fantastic team with this story. Tomasi nails the voices of the family as they talk back and forth while Manapul makes a family trip out to eat a thrilling and engaging car chase. “The Rocketfellers” is a cute story that really sets the bar high for its eventual full-length comic.
Similarly “Hornsby & Halo” has a fascinating premise that’ll hook readers almost instantly. Rose Hornsby is a demon and Zachary Halo is an angel, and they were traded to one another’s families to keep the cosmos in order. Fans who loved Tomasi’s Super Sons will be pleasantly surprised at how much this series captures the same tone. But Snejbjerg’s delightful art helps give “Hornsby & Halo” an identity that really helps it stand out from the pack. Readers who’d prefer a more pleasant kind of read aren’t going to be disappointed by Ghost Machine’s Family Odysseys line.
“Hyde Street” is a Terrifying Glimpse at Ghost Machine’s Future
For readers who need a real scare, “Hyde Street” offers plenty of unsettling teases for the publisher’s future Halloween debut. Geoff Johns, Lamont Magee, Ivan Reis, and Maytal Zchut bring their most disturbing in Ghost Machine #1’s final chapter. This section includes a splash page of old-school advertisements such as X-ray specs or trick gum. However, these ads aren’t for the fun novelties of yesteryear, but rather, items that bring pain, misery or terrible fates to those who use, or simply encounter them.
“Hyde Street” holds its cards close to its chest and doesn’t give away too much about the eventual full-length story. While that’s a respectable gambit, it also prevents readers from getting a good idea of what the story’s about. That said, while the details are slim, it’s a very captivating closing chapter and is no doubt going to really appeal to horror fans. Ivan Reis also flexes hard in this chapter, especially when he shows off the horrors to come when Ghost Machine releases Hyde Street later this year.
Ghost Machine #1 is a Powerful Start to a New Endeavor
In just 64 pages, Ghost Machine #1 offers a wide variety of content, from heroic tales to sci-fi adventures and even comedy and horror. Granted, some of these previews are a little too short and a few more pages probably would have benefited stories like “Rook: Exodus” or “Hyde Street”. But despite the shorter content, these stories serve their purpose and excellently showcase the fantastic line-up Ghost Machine has up its sleeve. New lines can always be a little risky, but Ghost Machine swings for the fences and sets out to be Image Comics’ best new comic venture in 2024.
Ghost Machine #1 is available now from Image Comics and Ghost Machine.
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