Preview: Ghost Projekt #2

By Eden Miller

I don’t know why you’re not reading Ghost Projekt from Oni Press.

I loved the first issue. And having read the second issue, I still maintain that this should be the hit of the year and I really want more people to be talking about it. I feel even more excited about this limited series, if that’s even possible.

I don’t actually want to give too much away because part of the fun of this comic is the unexpected and the surprises. I will keep this as spoiler-free as possible.

After an opening sequence where one of the Dosvidanya Projekt meets his inevitable fate after encountering our menacing ghost girl from the last issue (one panel of this sequence actually caused me to say outloud “Wow, that’s creepy”), we pick back up with our hero, weapons inspector Will Haley in the hospital. His boss sends him back out, saying Anya wants him back on the case.

And so, of course, the mystery deepens as Will and Anya continue to investigate the Dosvidanya Projekt. Anya has her own secrets too, and Will is quickly getting in over his head. And you know when characters start talking about things like the bubonic plague that things will probably get a whole lot worse for everyone.

Writer Joe Harris gives readers just enough in terms of reveals and his dialogue is sharp and quick. His background as a screenwriter continues to shine through. He doesn’t waste his words and the plotting is tight and always exciting. Steve Rolston‘s art remains top-notch, clearly communicating the isolation of Russia and his cinematic framing helps ramp up the intensity. I tend to think colorists are quite under-appreciated, so I’ll also mention Dean Trippe, whose palette here gives the comic a great feel — warm golds for all-American Will, icy blues for the mysterious Anya.

I like all the spooky and weird stuff going on here, but I am more and more impressed with the relationship between Will and Anya. It’s not generic sexual tension, although there’s some of that. They both seem to share the same amount of respect and apprehension when it comes to the other. Anya is obviously testing Will somewhat — in a scene in a bar, she torments him by translating the terrible things the other patrons are saying about his mother and also calls him a “cowboy” — but she’s also looking out for him. Or keeping tabs on him. It’s hard to tell. For Will’s part, I think, he’s intrigued by Anya and her motivations. I think it’s amazing what the creators have done in just these two issues to develop these two characters.

Issue #2 of Ghost Projekt is out this week and I think it goes without saying that I think you should buy it. And issue #1 if you haven’t already. And then maybe a few more copies for your friends. Really, this comic is that good.

I can’t wait for issue #3.

Editor’s Note: Stay tuned to read our 1:1 interview with Joe Harris… on May 3rd!

PDF review copy provided by Joe Harris/Oni Press.