”Spirits of Violence #5” – Feeling Spirited Away

Creative Team: Sabir Pirzada (WRITER), Paul Davidson (PENCILS), Belardino Brabo (INKS), Andrew Dalhouse (COLORS), Travis Lanham (LETTERS), and Kendrick Lim (COVER)

We Ride Together, We Die Together

So just right off the bat, aim going to say this: if you’re not reading Sabir Prizada’s run on Ghost Rider “Spirits of Violence”, you’re doing something wrong. Together with artists Paul Davidson, Belardino Brabo, and Andrew Dalhouse, this is some of the best Ghost Rider storytelling we’ve had in years. Now five issues deep, let’s first do a little recap and go into the writing.

Easy Writer

At the beginning of our tale of woe, we learn of the new resurrection of Barbara Ketch, sister of Danny Ketch & Johnny Blaze. She’s now been taken over by the Spirit of Violence, seeking to wreak havoc by harming those that each Ghost Rider cares about. Revelations come to light, characters come back from the dead, and now here we are in the final battle.

This entire story by Sabir Pirzada has been equal parts heartbreaking and ethereal. One minute you’re cheering your heroes team up, then the next you’re sad because someone died. The story was a rollercoaster from start to finish in the best way and has caused me to want to get into even more of Pirzada’s work.

Oil in the Art

Between Davidson, Brabo, and Dalhouse, all three of them are at the top of their game here. The panels not just in this book, but the run, have left me awestruck and saying “wow”. It’s easily apparent that the artists here have a lot of love and care for these characters and their stories. As a long-time comic book reader, that’s always a fantastic thing to see.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, straight 10/10. Everyone clearly brought their A-game here and closed this run out on the perfect finale. While I’m sad to see it go, I absolutely can’t wait to see where the Riders go from here.

Have you read “Spirits of Violence”? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!