Five Ghosts #13 Review

Five Ghosts is back! But has the wait been worth it? Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

BRAND NEW STORY ARC! “MONSTERS & MEN,” Part One The critically acclaimed award-winning series returns! Fabian travels to eastern Europe for an all-new adventure!

Having been away for the better part of five months it’s nice to see Five Ghosts return to our comic stands. Taking a more horror approach the third arc, Monsters & Men sees main character Fabian Gray go in search of his good friend Sebastian, who was kidnapped by Nazi’s at the end of Lost Coastlines.

Frank Barbiere has really made a name for himself, with White Suits, Black Market and Solar: Man of the Atom all being fabulous series. Five Ghosts however remains his best achievement to date, with this supernatural tale never failing to captivate. Taking us on yet another unique journey, Barbiere places Fabian in plague infested Romania, with the inclusion of Nazi’s in the last issue making me question what the time period actually is. Nevertheless the plague, and Plague Doctor manage to add the kind of supernatural vibe that Five Ghosts thrives on.

Five Ghosts has been very much a collaboration, with neither writer nor artists overshadowing one another. It’s this reason that I’m happy that the series has taken a break to allow Chris Mooneyham to work on the art, as though Garry Brown did a fabulous job on the Five Ghosts #6 one-shot tale, Mooneyham’s art really captures the supernatural flair. He also has a way of making the events that much more dynamic, with every panel being as eye catching as possible. Lauren Affe‘s colours also continue to compliment the art, with her soft palette, and dark tones helping to capture the horror vibe.

Five Ghosts is back, and with yet another enticing tale. Moving on nicely from #12’s cliffhanger, this issue takes Fabian on yet another dangerous mission, with the use of the Five Ghosts as ever adding excitement. Highly recommended.