Ghost Rider vs Galactus #1 Review
Day of Judgement & Intervention
Set in the late 1970s New York scene, Jonny Blaze arrives to take care of a disgruntled employee who seems to have taken more than one life in his hands. Confronting this low human being first, The Thing is just seconds away from apprehending the fellow in question. Taking over, Johnny’s alter ego, known as the Ghost Rider, takes his place as he acts out vengeance for the lives lost. Just when Johnny tries to be on his way, The Thing invites him to a get-together. Reluctantly, Johnny doesn’t seem to be keen on it. Faltering, Johnny spends time with The Thing at a tailor, where words are shared about Galactus and his crimes against the universe. In a turn of events, a showdown in the cosmos commences in Ghost Rider vs Galactus #1. However, the situation is far from what’s to be expected.
Continuing his series of closed-story one-shots, J. Michael Straczynski (No Honor, Fantastic Four, Hulk & Doctor Strange) writes a story worth reading. As many fans don’t see Ghost Rider battling against Galactus often, this story asks if the Penance Stare will work on a being like Galactus, as he’s taken so many lives over the years, and whether he feels remorse for what he’s done or continues to do. Straczynski puts forth an interesting take on this Ghost Rider and where his morals stand. Granted, putting the characters in a 70s setting sets an entirely different tone in mannerisms than the modern depictions. Here in Ghost Rider vs Galactus #1, we see a Johnny that has no problem blatantly using his powers on a person and does not care whether that person survives and leaves the mess behind. What’s also interesting is the fact that even after Johnny did what he did, The Thing didn’t even bat an eye as if that was normal for him. Understandably, it could just be the nature of this universe that adds its flair. Also, fans will have to appreciate the kind of New Yorkers in this story. Additionally, Straczynski inserts a character that completely throws this whole confrontation into a whole other form of storytelling that adds value to its plot.
As for the artwork within the pages of Ghost Rider vs Galactus #1, Juan Ferreyra (All-New Venom, The Avengers, Batman Eternal) shows off his excellent skills within the comic book. The 70s era, mixed with a certain grittiness to it, speaks volumes about visual storytelling. The coloring of this comic book is so versatile that it’s hard not to like it for its expressions. The inking is equally unique as well as it enhances the experience page after page. Ferreyra’s level of detail is one not to be ignored, as he makes it a joy to experience the story while reading through it. The characters, just as much as the scenery, are riddled with stunning detail. The linework says a lot about how Ferreyra spends his time making a story stick out on the shelves in comic stores. If anything, fans will understand Ferreyra put his best efforts forward to illustrate a comic which has its qualities about it, and that it’s less likely to be compared to something else of its caliber.
Speaking of quality, Travis Lanham (52, Amazing X-Men, Batman Beyond) as the letterer on this comic book works perfectly. Lanham grasps that while Johnny Blaze switches over to Ghost Rider, his voice changes into a hellfire alter ego and must be showcased as such. This way, readers can feel how cool this looks on the pages. It also creates a sense of how he speaks as the Ghost Rider and what that looks like from a different perspective than when he’s Johnny Blaze. As the story continues, Lanham does a great job of deciding where best the dialogue can fit, as a substantial amount of dialogue can be seen in a few pages along the way. He did his best not to obstruct the art from the readers, and that goes a long way with a story like this for Marvel.
Finally, the cover art by Terry (Batgirl, Bettie Page, Captain America) and Rachel (Adventuremen, Astonishing X-Men, Batman) Dodson for Ghost Rider vs Galactus #1 sparks an enticing curiosity as to what the comic book entails. The colorwork and overall delivery of the illustration capture the essence of the title. On top of that, the detail of this cover is fantastic.
In conclusion, Ghost Rider vs Galactus #1 is a great one-shot Marvel fans should read. It’s different, yet fun in a way that might not be expected to be. Due to its self-contained structure, there’s no need to start anywhere else but the comic book itself. Highly recommend picking up this comic book. With that said, you can pick up this comic book at your local comic shop or purchase it online, where copies are sold. Till next time!
Comic Details
Writer: J. Micheal Straczynski
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Terry and Rachel Dodson
Editor: Wil Moss
Publisher: Marvel
Date of Release: June 4th, 2025
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics who resides in the city of Washington, D.C. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he attends popular culture conventions both locally and out of state. Whether he’s searching for rare comic finds or engaging in video games, or reading manga he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandom. Follow along as he explores the worlds of superheroes, sci-fi, and beyond, always with a keen eye for adventure and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling.
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