Speed Racer isn’t the only cartoon from my childhood that David Pepose is helping bring to comics. Following the 12-issue Space Ghost series by Pepose and artist Jonathan Lau that ended earlier this year, Dynamite will wrap up the first year’s storyline with an annual in June, which will also bridge to a second series that’ll begin in July.
Starting with the annual, it will bring the Robo Corp storyline that’s been running through the title to a close, as readers learn the truth behind Dr. Xander Ibal’s plans for Blip.
“From the very beginning, Space Ghost has been a true labor of love from me and artist Jonathan Lau, bringing together the best parts of superheroes and science fiction — and we’re so excited for readers to finally witness the epic showdown that we’ve been building up to all along!,” said series writer David Pepose. “We’ve been so lucky to have an army of creators, fans, retailers, and press tirelessly champion our work, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what Jonathan and I have coming next. The future couldn’t be more exciting — or more dangerous — for Space Ghost and his intergalactic found family!”
About the annual, Dynamite said that the crew “will have to take down the whole Council of Doom if they hope to stop Ultima’s schemes for intergalactic control. Will the scion of the spaceways be able to rid the universe of the terrifying new threat?”
If Space Ghost is successful, he won’t have much time to rest, as Pepose and Lau return with the new series in July, along with colorist Andrew Dalhouse and letterer Taylor Esposito.
“Because you demanded it… the adventures will continue in our epic second volume of Space Ghost!” Pepose said. “Following the aftermath of Robo Corp and the Council of Doom’s evil schemes, Jonathan Lau and I have some truly exciting new storylines coming for Space Ghost, Jan, Jace and Blip, as their superheroic partnership will be tested in ways that will shake the very foundations of their universe. This relaunch is a testament to the incredible passion and dedication of all the readers, retailers, and press, who have championed our series from the very beginning — Space Ghost has been one of the most rewarding books I’ve ever had a chance to work on, and I can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store for you next!”
The relaunch will start with the return of a classic Space Ghost villain, the Toymaker — whose toys are typically deadly robots:
This new jumping-on point kicks off with the first appearance in the series of a classic villain. Space Ghost and Blip find themselves on a planet themed all around amusement parks that has been taken over by the maniacal Toymaker, with a high stakes hostage crisis at hand. Meanwhile, Jan and Jace are confronted by a mysterious figure from their past that will shake the Ghost Planet team to their core.
The first issue will feature a cover by Francesco Mattina with variant covers by Jae Lee and June Chung, Bjorn Barends, Michael Cho and Alex Ross:
Look for the first issue to arrive in July.