In Ghost Cage, when his megacorp power plant falls under attack by terrorists, the super-scientist who revolutionized and controls all energy on Earth sends his ultimate creation (and an adequate employee) in to destroy his most monstrous secrets. Ghost Cage #1 is a unique debut that feels like it owes its existence to the manga that came before it.

Written by Nick Dragotta and Caleb Goellner, Ghost Cage #1 is an intriguing start of a series that’ll have you scratching your head for part of it. We’re slowly introduced to this world and rather odd situation that feels like it’s a side story to Dragotta and Hickman’s East of West.

It’s kind of hard to describe Ghost Cage #1. It’s story and vibe has bits that feels like manga mixed together with Aeon Flux and some Shadow of Colossus. In its video game roots, player 1, whose name becomes an ongoing joke, is “armed” with a rather mysterious being who then battles large bosses. It’s a visual treat. It makes absolutely no sense at all.

There’s something to the comic and it’s use of a lonely office drone as a way to cover up the corporate secrets of upper management. But, it’s not quite clear if this is on purpose and one of the underlying themes of the comic or a coincidence.

Each moment feels like chance to show off Dragotta’s artistic talents. With lettering by Rus Wooton, Ghost Cage #1 is visually fantastic. If you’re a fan of Dragotta’s work, you won’t be disappointed at all as the designs and visuals are exactly what you’d expect from a comic drawn by him. The designs are brilliant and really nail down the crazy sci-fi world. The comic is fantastic for the visuals which help drive the story and help make some sense of the actual story.

Ghost Cage #1 feels like the plot of a video game whose visuals are the main driver of entertainment. The plot makes a little more sense the more you read the comic but the overall plot is a bit… out there. Why do these secrets need to be destroyed this way? Why wasn’t there planning before? What the hell is going on in the battles!? Sit back, turn your brain off and enjoy the visuals.

Story: Nick Dragotta, Caleb Goellner Art: Nick Dragotta
Letterer: Rus Wooton Color: Frank Martin Jr. Editor: David Brothers
Story: 6.75 Art: 9.0 Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW