General Information
Title: Ghost Rider #12-13
Author: Daniel Way
Illustrator(s): Javier Saltares (penciles), Scott Hanna (inks) and Dan Brown (colours)
Original Publication Date: Cover dated August and September 2007
Cover Price: Each issue $2.99 US, $3.75 Can
Past comic reviews can be found
here.
Premise
Johnny Blaze ignores the objections of Zarathos and tries to talk down the Hulk.
High Point
The ultimate decision of Zarathos is something you don't often see in comics.
Low Point
The spoiler free version is "the ending." The spoider-guarded version: The way the Hulk has been depicted in the World War Hulk series, I find it impossible to swallow the
idea that he'd look Zarathos in the eye, and then let him just drive away without ending the fight more
decisively. End spoiler.
The Scores
The ending is original, but the rest isn't. At this point, I've read
only 39 out of 202 issues of Ghost Rider (counting all five series, but not the Marvel Spotlight issues
that started it all), and it felt like I've read just about all of it before. The only parts that seem really new
are the parts that show him to have far more power than he had before Daniel Way took over the title. A recent
interview revealed that the next story arc, beginning in issue 14, is the one Way pitched to launch the series,
but Marvel postponed it to give some space between that story and the movie. This means two things: one is that a
major status quo change is likely coming, and the other is that the first 13 lackluster issues have all been
filler. I give it 4 out of 6.
The artwork remains the strongest element in the series, garnering 5 out of 6 for its
clear depictions and uniquely coloured feel.
The story delivers what it needs to, but not much more. There's really not
much of anything here. I honestly don't see why this was stretched into two issues instead of being delivered in
one. I give it 3 out of 6.
The characterization is interesting for a few pages. The initial
argument about whether or not to participate, the first encounter with the Hulk, and the final decision by
Zarathos are all well done. The final decision by Hulk, however, isn't consistent with the way he's been depicted
in the rest of this event. I give it 4 out of 6.
The emotional response is weak for a large portion of the story.
The start and end of the conflict are good, but the stuff before and between doesn't really do a lot for me. I
give it 3 out of 6.
The flow is smooth, partly because we see so many of the little details. We don't need
13 panels in 3 pages showing Ghost Rider getting through the barricade the way we all expect him to; that's just
slowing down the pace of the story. (When sound effects are continued from one panel to the next, you need to use
fewer panels.) I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, it's two full issues for two pages worth of illuminating character
moments that will have no disernible impact on the World War Hulk event at large, or on this title in particular.
If you think that's worth it, pick these up, but I wouldn't recommend it. I give it 3 out of 6.
In total, Ghost Rider #12-13 receives 27 out of 42.
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