Review: Five Ghosts #11

Five Ghosts was my favorite miniseries event of the past year. And likewise, the ongoing title has been one of my favorites too. I am hooked on the pulpy goodness that is the story of Fabian Gray, an adventurer extraordinaire who after an encounter with a Dreamstone, has inherited the power of five literary "ghosts" that he uses in day-to-day dealings of life and death. The story so far has been a very nice and well-crafted alternative to lots of the typical offerings within the comics realm. Issue #11 is the prelude to the dramatic "Lost Coastlines" story finale. All the cast and crew have now made it to the mythical Island of Dreams. Or at least all of the surviving cast and crew that is. Everybody is there and things are falling into place for a no holds barred battle royale of an ending. As for our hero Fabian Gray, This Island of Dreams may just be one of nightmares. We will have to see.

FiveGhosts11-CoverFrank J. Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham are still in peak form as we get to see some if the lesser "ghosts" in action here. There is a sequence of panels where the Sherlock Holmes "ghost" is working through Fabian that is nothing short of magnificent. Not a word is rendered, but the reader is completely aware of everything going on. It's really sweet. Of course, when dialogue is needed, Barbiere blows it up with short sweetness that perfectly fits what is happening.

There is no denying that I am really going to miss the wrap up of the Lost Coastlines arc. It has been one super read for the last several months. But even with it ending, Five Ghosts will continue to amaze because it simply rocks hard. Barbiere and Mooneyham have created something quite unique and amazing that like Fabian is something legendary.


Score: 5/5

Writer: Frank J. Barbiere Artist: Chris Mooneyham Publisher: Image Comics Price: $3.50 Release Date: 4/23/14 Format: Ongoing, Print/Digital