Space Ghost [Paperback]

Joe Kelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005

The masked avenger of the cartoon spaceways has been a popular character since his introduction to television in 1966. Since then, people have wondered who he is, how he got those power bands and why he protects the galaxy from evil. Now his story is told for the first time ever. Learn the tragic circumstances that led to his donning a cowl and his first battle with arch nemesis Zorak.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Space Ghost got his start as a TV 'toon in the late 1960s and later had a delirious run on Comedy Central as an animated talk show host. Now DC offers up a deadly serious origin tale that takes little from the genial character who first popped up on the TV screen. In writer Kelly's vision, Space Ghost is a big, strong guy who was once named Thaddeus and had a pregnant wife and a yen for justice. When Thad gets tapped to join an elite police squad called Commandment, it looks like everything's going his way. Of course, it isn't. He soon discovers that Commandment is corrupt, and a brutal falling-out ends with the squad murdering his wife. Thad recovers from the twin blows by crushing rocks with a hermit on a distant planet, even as eight-foot-tall praying mantis Zorak sets his eye on the tasty human inhabitants of a number of planets. Kelly and Olivetti have created a handsome, complex universe for their hero, but he's a brooding, nearly wordless character, faced with some really dull villains who are fixated on the best way to rip humans apart. Space Ghost, who was always beloved for his personality, exhibits very little of it here. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–Teens are more likely to recognize Space Ghost from his 10-year stint (1994 to 2004) on the Cartoon Network than from the '60s cartoon from which he originated. For this reason, many readers might be a bit disappointed to discover that their cartoon hero is not funny. This book divulges, for the first time, his real origins and how he came to be a superhero. The comic is dark and exciting in places, but the plot lacks imagination. In a typical superhero conversion, Thaddeus is murdered along with his wife and unborn child, is resurrected from the Planet of the Dead, returns to Earth as Space Ghost to avenge the crime, and finally learns what he can do for others. He must also deal with moral issues that he never faced on the TV show; unfortunately, he handles them in a dull way, and shows very little personality. The illustrations will not disappoint hardcore fans of the show; they are bright and similar to the original '60s cartoon.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401207219
• ISBN-13: 978-1401207212
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joe Kelly is one of comics' hottest writers, with highly acclaimed runs on Daredevil, Deadpool, X-Men and Superman to his credit.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Story...But Even Better If You DONT' Take It Seriously, November 23, 2005

By 

David Griffin Blyth (Britain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Space Ghost (Paperback)

Joe Kellys' Space Ghost has been hailed by comic critics and fans as one of the greatest reinterpretations, or redemptions, of a cartoon character in years, this marks the first time the character has had a serious run since the 1980s' "Space Stars" series, after this, he became a cult figure on the series that launched C.Ns' Williams Street animation studios into noteriety, Space Ghost: Coast 2 Coast.

Kelly is a fan of both the original series AND "Coast 2 Coast", and true fans of both can clearly tell where the influences lie, and where the in-jokes appear (THADIUS Bach anyone? Come on, whats' that an extension of? "THAD", not to mention several of Thads' facial expressions and mannerisms come from his C2C persona, read the part hes' yelling at Jan and Jayce in classic "Jerk" mode), Kelly alo adds a new, sleeker look for Zorak, and a new ability to transfer his concsciousness to other bodies when he is destroyed, combined with a story of betrayals from both sides to the hapless inncoent, barbaric battles, tragedies, discovery, and rediscovery. Space Ghosts' rebirth as a serious character is one touched by all aspects of humanity, and what makes and breaks a hero. Read it for that, but if, like me, you can't hope to take Thad seriously, read his lines in George Lowes' voice

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Space Ghost reborn, October 7, 2005

By 

N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Space Ghost (Paperback)

Back in the 60's/70's, Space Ghost was one of many Hanna Barbera Saturday morning cartoon super heroes that were, needless to say, quite cheesy. In the 90's, he was re-born as an animated talk show host in the wonderful spoof Space Ghost: Coast to Coast on Cartoon Network, and now, Space Ghost is re-born once again as a brooding hero in this TPB. Joe Kelly gives Space Ghost a tragic past as a good cop in a corrupt system whose pregnant wife is murdered and he is left for dead. He survives, and with the use of alien technology, becomes Space Ghost and sets out for his revenge. However, when he learns of a planet in grave danger, his heroic nature comes full circle. No, this Space Ghost isn't family friendly and it's not funny, and it's not meant to be. Kelly's storytelling is solid, albeit predictable, while Ariel Olivetti's art is beautifully textured. Longtime fans of the character will notice other classic Space Ghost characters as well, including siblings Jan and Jayce, and the evil mantis-like villain Zorak. All in all, if you're a fan of Space Ghost, whether it be the original show or Coast to Coast, give this a look.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than the talk show!, August 5, 2005

By 

John E. Whitfield (Rowley, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Space Ghost (Paperback)

Those who only know Space Ghost from the Cartoon Network "talk show" format might not realize something: Space Ghost was cool. As a nine-year-old in 1966 I got up every Saturday to watch him smack down the bad guys.

This graphic novel brings cool back to the character. If you're obsessed with the original character, you won't be happy with it. The art is more detailed, the story line more complex. Space Ghost goes through more moral conflicts in this one book than he did in the entire TV series.

The story line is his origin story. It covers where he came from, Jan, Jayce and all the cool gadgets. I won't spoil the story line by telling you the details, but if you like Space Ghost, you'll recognize most of the characters.

If you like Space Ghost -- especially if you remember the original -- you'll like this.