Ghost #1 is a new series written by Kelly Sue DeConnick and published by Dark Horse Comics. It stars Elisa Cameron, a former journalist who discovered that the mayor of Chicago was actually an extra-dimensional demon who placed his fellow demon friends in powerful positions around the city. As a result of Elisa getting too close, the mayor banished her to the same dimension where more demons where waiting to invade the Earth. It was hell for her and she would’ve been trapped their permanently if it wasn’t for two paranormal investigators, Vaughn Barnes, and Tommy Byers, using the same device the mayor originally used to summon his friends, pulling her back into the world. But all of her didn’t come back as she only has faint memories of her past life and also she became Ghost, possessing supernatural abilities and trapped between both worlds. After defeating the mayor, but not the demon completely, she’s working with Vaughn and Tommy to track down the remaining demons who were placed around the city as well as trying to get back all her memories. (This took place in Ghost #0) The demon hunting seems to be going well as this issue opens up with Elisa fighting the latest demon the group hunted down and even though she defeats the demon, she’s disturbed at the fact that the person whose body it was possessing recognized her and she didn’t know who he was. So regaining all her memories is still an issue for her but not the only one. On top of the fact that there are at least dozens of more demons that have to be located, there’s a serial killer on the loose called the White City Butcher and this might be connected to the demons. Can Elisa keep it together long enough to continue to hunt down the remaining demons or will her past hold her back?

The premise of this series caught my eye as the combination of the supernatural action with the potential political and social intrigue of demons being placed in positions of power throughout Chicago was enough for me to give it a look. And I didn’t even get past the first 3 pages before my interest was piqued even more. One can see a lot of things on a subway or elevated train but one would never expect to see a white phantom come crashing through the ceiling fighting a demon possessing a human body. This was my introduction to the character and it was a damn good one. The artwork was superb in capturing the grotesque deformities caused by the demon, and of the demon itself, as well as the appearance of the Ghost, so when the dialogue would later go to how she’s been viewed by witnesses it’s easily understandable.  And the story is so well-written that all 3 story branches, Elisa being recognized, the White City Butcher, and the plans of the demon that possessed the mayor along with the remaining ones that still have to be hunted, were engrossing. The Ghost’s context in the city of Chicago was established very well and the fact that she was troubled by someone recognizing her to the point where it would take priority over the other issues was very believable. And even the members of the crew came off as distinct as possible in one regular sized issue. The mystery of everything going on deepens and is also very rewarding as the series of events leading to the conclusion of this issue make it so that I’m definitely waiting for the second issue.

SUMMARY

Ghost #1 is an excellent first issue and combines great action, story telling and character development in a way that instantly makes this issue and character memorable for me. All 3 story branches have huge potential and are all very intriguing to me. The way Kelly Sue DeConnick is able to take a supernatural character and effortlessly fit her into the city of Chicago as realized in this issue is a true testament of a solid first issue. This series is now on my read list and I definitely recommend it.

Release Date: 12/18/13

Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick

Artist: Phil Noto