Well here it is, the conclusion to Brody’s Ghost. I was a little late in checking out the first book, but after reading it I was hooked. I’ve since then watched creator Mark Crilley grow as an artist and storyteller and let me tell you there’s nothing better than that as a reader. Especially when there’s a single creator and vision. Brody’s Ghost has been a great ride and as sad as I am to see it go, I’m glad that it’s ending. Better to have an ending then to drag it out for sales. It’s interesting because at the end of the book Crilley says that his journey has been a lot like Brody’s; in a lot of ways it has. Not just in the ways that he lists, but in the improvements from volume to volume. No longer is Brody the long haired slacker and in fact you’d barely recognize him as the same man.
So what is Brody’s Ghost – Book 6 about? Like I can tell you that. This is the ending! What can I say that won’t spoil it? Nothing really. Brody’s been captured. Talia hasn’t exactly kept her word and Nicole is still in danger. Everything is coming full steam ahead.
I mentioned Brody’s transformation before, but we should really talk about his ghost as well. Talia’s development over this series has been intense. Vengeful spirt is probably the best way to describe her and in this volume and the last she’s shown that she’s no longer that innocent girl that was murdered. She’s gotten darker and that just shows the layers that Crilley has added to her along the way.
One of the things that have been the most consistent about Brody’s Ghost has been the art. While Crilley has improved as an artist, he’s kept the look and the details consistent. There’s no leap in quality from one volume to the next, but there could have been. Instead he improved upon what was shown. What would add to the story and make it better. Just looking at the quality of the linework you won’t be able to tell how much he’s improved, but by looking at it altogether you’ll see that he’s become a talented storyteller.
Brody’s Ghost ends the way it should and not the way you want. Crilley has progressed the story to a natural conclusion and that’s what makes the ending memorable. That’s what’s made the journey worthwhile. I don’t know what Crilley will do next, but I do know that I’ll be looking forward to it. If you haven’t checked out Brody’s Ghost, then do yourself a favor and check it out.
Score: 5/5
Brody's Ghost - Book 6
Writer/Artist/Creator: Mark Crilley
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $7.99
Release Date: 4/1/15
Format: TPB; Print/Digital