The Black Ghost #1: A Rumble in Creighton Tonight

The Black Ghost #1 throws the reader into a world that is strikingly fresh yet also familiar. Leaning heavily into the style of noir/neo-noir and pulp in the story-telling conventions, stylistically and tonally, this book could be just as at home in a modern Archie book (which Segura has a background with). Gone are the traditionally dark overtones of noir art, replaced with vibrant colors and clean art yet the story remains distinctly in the proper vein. The visual action is perfectly paced along with the textual, propelling the reader along a thrill towards a city that clearly harbors its fair share of secrets.

With any great noir book, the character at the center of the narrative is crucial for the success of the story and with Lara Dominguez, the team has struck on a protagonist it is difficult to not fall instantly in love with. The down-on-her-luck cop reporter with a drinking problem and a “dogged attention span” seems distinctly real, full of agency and voice that quickly draws the reader in and doesn’t let go. By the end of the first issue, left in a dangerous and vulnerable position, Lara is a character you truly care for. She’s not the typical protagonist– the hard-boiled detective, grim and gritty– but she is the perfect one for the role and truly makes this book worth the time, energy, and money.

With all of these factors combined, The Black Ghost promises to be a more than worthy entry into the crime/noir genre but more importantly, it is a comic with a bit of soul and a ton of attitude without ending up campy or a caricature of itself.