Zorak was the first supervillain to face Space Ghost in his original animated series. He is also seen by many as the closest thing Space Ghost has to an archenemy. Given that, it was inevitable that he would appear in the new comic series published by Dynamite Entertainment. However, the preview of Space Ghost #4 reveals a more horrific take on the mad Mantis.
Written by David Pepose, with art by Jonathan Lau, Space Ghost #4 introduces this reality’s version of Zorak. Space Ghost outlines his history with the villain and how it was his actions that led to his imprisonment. Such is the threat posed by the alien insect that Space Ghost refuses to let his young wards join him in the manhunt when Zorak escapes prison.
Five preview pages from Space Ghost #4 may be viewed below.
New Zoark a cult leader with grudge against Space Ghost
In the original Space Ghost cartoon, Zorak was an interstellar warlord from the planet Dokar. He led his followers, the Zorathians, raiding other worlds to build his empire. He is, perhaps, most famous as the unwilling band leader from Space Ghost Coast to Coast. In both series, however, he harbored a deep loathing of Space Ghost.
The Dynamite Zorak is a far deadlier foe, being a religious fanatic rather than a simple space pirate or terrorist. It is unclear from the preview if Zorak has any sort of magical power or is merely a madman who believes he can awaken a cosmic being of destruction. In either case, Space Ghost considers him enough of a danger to make him his top priority.
While the new Zorak is a less comic figure than in Space Ghost Coast to Coast, the preview does give a nod to the classic talk show. The mention of the “Lone Locust of the Apocalypse” is taken directly from one of Zorak’s more sinister monologues. The preview also references Lokar, a similarly themed insect villain from the classic Space Ghost cartoon. However, Loark has seemingly been promoted to godhood, as the focus of Zorak’s cult.
Space Ghost #4 arrives in comic shops everywhere on August 7, 2024.
