Review - Ghost #0

The paranormal reality show racket is a tough gig. You're primarily selling a product to an audience that you can't really prove exists because half the audience likely won't believe it even if they saw it. Much like how Tommy and Vaughn don't believe what they saw in Ghost #0 from Dark Horse.

Ghost #0 is written by Kelly Sue Deconnick, with art by Phil Noto and letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft.

Vaughn is a fired cameraman paired up with Tommy Byers, host of Phantom Finders. The two are desperately seeking viewers and Tommy has a box which he thinks will give them ghosts. The box works, but the two have no idea why. Only it doesn't work when they need it to, leading the two to have falling out.

In a depressed, drunken stupor, Vaughn gets the box working again, only to find out the response will likely lead to more bad than good. Before the pair know it, they're knee deep in ghosts, murder and shock.

Deconnick's pacing in Ghost #0 is maintained fairly steadily as a straight and even-keeled story. It takes a while to build up, but once it does, the events get interesting in a hurry. There are some moments when things get a little out of control, but for the most part it's a calmer sort of story.

The most interesting part, obviously, is the ghost herself. She inserts herself into the lives of Vaughn and Tommy sort of against their will and it will be interesting to see how the dynamic of the trio play out. The Phantom Finders have made it their goal to find out her name and place, which will likely lead to more dangerous scenarios.

Noto's art is very minimalist, on par with the calmness of the story itself. Just about every panel is one character in front of a stark background. The ghost really seems to stand out the most, although it's unclear if that's by design or accident. There are some panels where Vaughn and Tommy look almost too similar, making it a little difficult to discern who's doing what.

It's looking like Ghost #0 is kicking off a whodunnit of sorts. Following Vaughn and Tommy as they deal with both the actions of the ghost and reconciling their morality with their decisions will be interesting. It's a book that will likely be a rollercoaster of intensity. Involving the supernatural has that effect.

Ghost #0 is in stores September 19.