Comic Book Analysis of Ghost Rider Issue #32 “Fight For Life”

By: Dylan Hogue

Abstract

Dr. Frank Brukner has brought Dr. Strange to save and revive Dan Ketch from the demon that has taken over his body. The only two people observing this “mystical” operation take place are John Blaze and Dr. Brukner. Dr. Brukner and Blaze have conflicting opinions on the type of “treatment” Strange is giving Dan Ketch. In issues 25- 31 it is described what happened… Ketch had his throat ripped out by Blackout, then the Ghost Rider lead Blaze on a mission to save the world though a vision he had while being Dan Ketch. His vision was of Lilith, the mother of all demons. They were to fight her and all children of hers, but come to find that Dr. Strange had manipulated them all. Going on in another realm, Dr. Strange arrived through Ghost Rider to save Ketch. Dr. Strange must attempt to get rid of any left over material that the Lilith left over. While this is occurring, “The Firm” finds out that Ghost Rider is in a specific area and set out a squad to capture him. At the same time Ketch is fighting the taint left by Lilith. From the outside view Blaze and Brukner see something going wrong and don’t know what to do. They were told to leave the two body figures alone. As this is occurring, The Firm has arrived to capture the Ghost Rider. Blaze and Brukner retrieve the bodies and begin to fight off the villains, while Ketch becomes free of the Lilith taint. Ghost Rider arises to fight off The Firm to make sure Ketch lives. Dr. Strange comes back with Ketch going under a very painful transformation, but is living and back to humanity. The Firm is now in the hands of Mr. Stern…

Over Arching Theme

Personally, I believe the over arching theme in this issue is complexity. The ideas in this comic are complex in many ways. Beginning with the illustrations of the characters, the different use of blends and colors really causes the eyes to veer off the correct reading path. Additionally, facial expressions of each character are in very fine detail the whole way down to simple chin hair stubble. The complexity continues with the flow of panels and the different types of panels used on different pages. Lastly, understanding the idea of what is actually going on in the comic itself. This comes with the use of words in the context and the different conversations occurring from page to page.

Concept 1

To the left, John Blaze and Dr. Bruknerare in conflict over what Dr. Strange is doing to Dan Ketch. Blaze goes outside to have a cigarette and finds an intruder, trying to find the body of “The Ghost Rider” What is shown here is subject to subject panel transitions

Concept 2

To the left Blaze and Ghost Rider are driving to fight Lilith and her sons after Ghost Rider had the prior issue. Here shows the complexity of

the panel art and transition.

Above, McCloud explains the idea of action to action panel transition. This is where the subjects are involved in a series of actions are occurring.

Concept 3

In this scene Blaze and Brukner are attempting to flee from “the Firm.” they are unsure whether to leave the body, which was said not to be touched during the process of Dr. Strange. There is a series of events occurring in the panels as they move from one to another.

Above, McCloud explains the idea of a plot driven transitions, this is said to clarify segments in a

scene.

Concept 4

In this example McCloud is explains the different views of images can be taken. In specifically, this is getting above a scene.

This is an image of Dr. Strange taking Dan Ketch back to free him of this curse Lilith casted on him. This angle is taken from above as he is flying upward or through a portal. Once again the complexity of the different uses of angles changes through out the whole issue.

Concept 5

To the right McCloud is simply explaining the idea of flow in the transitions of panels.

To theft is just an example of the complexity of the transitions between panels and how to follow them.

Concept 6

This is an example from the comic where Dan is trying to undergo the process that Dr. Strange, showing the different positions his body is taking.

McCloud is describing the idea of the characters in comics having different feature that will alert you that something is going on, such as, having over exaggerated traits.

Concept 7

This is a scene in the comic where Dr. Strange is conducting something on Ketch. This shows the formation of a body taking on contact to the stomachs area.

McCloud is explain how the body of characters should take on the form of the action that is being used against them.

Concept 8To the left Is an example of facial expressions McCloud described in his text. Specifically this is showing a sense of anger.

This is just an example of an angered facial expression from the comic. Note the detail in he face that really give it the mad look.

Concept 9 This is just another example of the use of facial expressions that McCloud gives from his text. This in specifically is the use of surprise.

This is an example of a surprised facial expression from the comic. Blaze is caught off guard by “The Firm” as he is trying to decide what to do with the body of “Ghost Rider.”

Concept 10 This is the Ghost Rider showing his stance of outward power overtop of one of “The Firm.” note the vivid colors around the Ghost Rider.

This is an example of body position being able to describe the mood of a person. This is an outward position of power.

Concept 11

This is an image of Blaze and Brukner fighting off the fire power of The Firm. This is showing a montage of how the words match what the picture is showing.

This is how McCloud explains the idea of words and picture match in a pictorial way, a montage.

Concept 12This is where McCloud defines the idea of a word specific image. The focus is more on the words rather than the image itself.

This is an example of Blaze talking with a close up on his mouth and more of a focus on what he is saying. Note the detail in the drawing of his face and the background of what he is talking about.

Concept 13

This is an example from the comic where timbre is used to explain a part of the scene with words. Not the explosion that is occurring and the vividness of the colors.

This is an example of how McCloud explains the use of text and connecting it to sounds. Specifically, this is timbre, which explains the sound and the shape of letters create a sense of that noise while connecting it to the scene.

Concept 14

This is the opening panel of the issue. This clearly depicts Blaze and Bruknerlooking on at Dr. Strange attempting to fix the Ghost Rider. This is able to clearly show what the comic is going to explain throughout the story. Note the art work in the picture and the detail of each character.

This is where McCloud explains choice of image. The image should be able to be quickly identified to what is going on and be able to explain what is happening without words.

Concept 15

This is an example of a movement to movement transition. This is complex in a way that there are no actual panels, but the eye must follow down the page to see the process of images.

This is where McCloud explains the idea of movement to movement transitions. More precisely, this is where an action occurs over a pan of many panels or images.

Concept 16 This is just an example of a character from The Firm, dressed in his battle gear. This complex image creates a memorable wardrobe and look.

McCloud explains the concepts of character design. Visual distinction is an aspect of character design. Being to create a memorable face and wardrobe.

Concept 17

This is where McCloud discusses the way of adding unrest to the body language. Just by simply adding a small tilt to the way of the body can show that gesture or feeling.

This is an example of Blaze taking a step outside to smoke and clear his mind from an disagreement. You can tell he is trying to relax or stressed out by the body gesture.

Conclusion

This comic was a great read in general. In many way this comic was able to catch the reader (myself) off-guard. The vividness of the color scheme was beautiful. The illustrations of each character were awesome and how superhero's should be drawn, big, muscular, and mean looking. For one to read this they must pay close attention to how each page flows as each page changes panel types. Some have simple box type panels and others are separated by a flash, or not separated and just given in a type of order.

References

• Ghost Rider Issue 32

• “Making Comics” Scott McCloud, 2006