Space Ghost is a character who has worn many masks over the decades. Most of us remember him as the stoic 1960s Hanna-Barbera cosmic vigilante, or as the irreverent, desk-slapping talk-show host of the ’90s. He is a true survivor of changing pop-culture tastes, but Dynamite Entertainment’s second volume by creatives David Pepose and Jonathan Lau has taken a much more grounded, emotionally resonant path than anything we’ve seen before. While the series has consistently delivered high-stakes cosmic action, Space Ghost #8 hits a different emotional chord by focusing on the tragic man behind the monster: Grandpa Contra.
Who is the Antimatter Man in Space Ghost?
At its heart, this issue belongs to Grandpa Contra. It’s an emotional look at Jan and Jace’s last living relative and the way his scientific brilliance eventually led to his downfall. Pepose uses this chapter to explore the “Antimatter Man” not just as a physical threat to the galaxy, but as a cautionary tale about ambition and the corruption of a legacy. The story opens with a poignant flashback to the Contra Mansion, showing a warmer, human side of the man as he bonds with his grandchildren over their shared passion for science. It’s a great setup by Pepose, making Contra’s transformation feel earned because we’ve been following this specific family dynamic since the very first issue.
The story’s real weight comes from the trauma of Jan and Jace’s discovery. Watching them confront the fact that the monster they’ve been fighting is the same man who taught them about the wonders of the universe is genuinely difficult to read. Artist Jonathan Lau knocks the emotions out of the park here, particularly with the detail and heartbreak packed into Jan’s expressions.
How does Jonathan Lau’s art enhance the cosmic action?
Lau’s style continues to provide the kinetic, chaotic energy a series like Space Ghost needs. It feels like all action, all the time. His depiction of the Antimatter Man is appropriately cosmic and unsettling, often appearing as a shifting, shadowy silhouette that feels like it’s constantly on the verge of consuming everything around it. The action reaches a fever pitch when Space Ghost makes his grand return in a suit of armor designed specifically to withstand antimatter. Also, it could just be me, but the armor looks a lot like the one Batman wore to fight Superman in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns!
The armor and how it was created (from remnants of the late Doctor Cyclo’s Cycloped Robots) is a nice touch by Pepose and a great use of continuity for long-time readers, giving our hero a much-needed tactical advantage in a fight that feels otherwise unwinnable. Andrew Dalhouse’s colors deserve a special mention here as well. The contrast between the bright, hopeful blues of Space Ghost’s energy and the deep, devouring blacks and purples of the antimatter reactor creates a visual tug-of-war that mirrors the story’s internal conflict. Meanwhile, Taylor Esposito’s lettering makes the sound effects feel as if they’re leaping off the page, adding a sensory layer to the chaos unfolding on the page.
Is Dynamite’s Space Ghost volume 2 worth reading?
The most surprising thing about this issue is how it concludes. Usually, an arc ends with a big finishing move or a power blast, but here it’s small, found in a moment of clarity for Grandpa Contra. When he finally recognizes Jan and Jace, the Antimatter Man persona finally cracks.
Space Ghost Vol. 2 #8 reframes the entire conflict from a standard battle of heroes versus villains into a story about a grandfather trying to save his greatest legacy from his own mistakes. Space Ghost’s final words to Jace, reminding him that while everyone has their demons, the bond of family is “stronger than any gravity or magnetism,” perfectly capture the soul of this entire run. It’s a smart, moving take on a character that continues to adapt for a new generation.
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‘Space Ghost Vol. 2’ #8 | Why the Antimatter Man is Dynamite’s Most Heartbreaking Villain Yet
Space Ghost Vol. 2 #8 reframes the entire conflict from a standard battle of heroes versus villains into a story about a grandfather trying to save his greatest legacy from his own mistakes.
