Written by Michael Angelos
Art by Tim Vigil; Jerry Beck; Tony Bledsoe; & Michael Wulf
Cover Art by Jerry Beck; Tony Bledsoe; & Ben Prenevost
SUMMARY:
Released for Free Comic Book Day, this third volume was released by Castle Rain Entertainment for May 2007. Cursed Jack Corby describes his merged existence with the pumpkin-head entity, Argotakar. Within a nightmare, Corby is taunted by the demon to rescue his innocent mother from the elder Corby’s monstrously abusive behavior.
Set on May 29th, 1990, in Newport, Oregon, Lisa and her middle-aged mentor, Frank, discuss Corby’s progress with their training sessions. Frank tells Lisa that a recent battle they survived in Sacramento points towards billionaire New York industrialist London Dirk. In Northwest Canada, Dirk arrives via helicopter at a Victorian-style castle for a covert meeting with the mysterious elf-like sorceress, Jadugar, and her blind associate, Malkov. Joined by Jadugar’s demonic brother, Roman, the trio witnesses her dark magic in action.
Note: This comic’s ‘standard’ (black-and-white) edition was first published for October 2006.
REVIEW:
Even if Corby-Argotakar isn’t appealing as a mystical anti-hero (reminiscent of Marvel’s Ghost Rider), the enigmatic Lisa and Frank makes up some of this gap. Writer Michael Angelos does barely enough to make their mission a potentially intriguing prospect. This issue’s shadowy visuals are adequate, as far as an intended sense of creepiness. The real detriment, however, is that neither Corby (evidently seeking redemption from his haunted past) nor his host of adversaries are compelling. As one can readily identify its various clichés from the fantasy-horror genre, the mediocre Jack the Lantern: Ghosts # 1 is at best an okay single read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
With a colorized cover, there’s a black-and-white eight-page preview of this storyline’s Book 2, which doesn’t include any narrative text or dialogue. The back inside cover promotes Jack the Lantern Book 3 while its outside is a cover reveal ad for Jack the Lantern: Ghosts # 2.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
