Writer: David Pepose
Art: Jonathan Lau
Dynamite Entertainment, September 2026
Space Ghost vs. The Herculoids #1 is written by David Pepose, with artwork provided by Jonathan Lau. The issue brings together two classic Hanna-Barbera properties in a crossover that is, at least on paper, exactly the kind of match-up that sounds like it was designed to get men in their 50s arguing over who would win.
We have covered Mr Pepose’s comic book adaptation of the classic 1970s Space Ghost franchise several times in the past. We have consistently praised is his ability to modernize the character without losing what made the original cartoon recognizable. Space Ghost still feels like Space Ghost, but the stories do not come across as relics of a bygone era. With Space Ghost vs. The Herculoids, Mr Pepose gets the opportunity to do something similar with another classic Hanna-Barbera property.
For those unfamiliar with The Herculoids, the original 1967 Hanna-Barbera cartoon had a straightforward premise easily digestible by pre-teen boys. A human family lives on the primitive alien world of Amzot, where they regularly find themselves defending their home from invading aliens, monsters, robots, and assorted other threats. Fortunately, they have the Herculoids on their side: a collection of gigantic creatures with their own unique abilities, including Zok the Star-Dragon, Igoo the Rock-Ape, Tundro the Tremendous, and Gloop and Gleep the Formless, Fearless Wonder.s The original series ran on CBS until 1968, producing 36 short segments, before receiving a brief revival in 1981.
The setup is inevitable and familiar to anyone who has read a superhero crossover or two. Amzot is threatened by outsiders interested in its resources, prompting the Herculoids to fight back. Meanwhile, Space Ghost is manipulated into believing that the planet’s defenders are actually terrorists. From there, the inevitable clash between the two sides begins to take shape. Mistaken identity strikes again!
There is one important caveat for anyone picking this up specifically for the titular fight: Space Ghost and the Herculoids do not actually get to throw down in this issue. The story ends before the confrontation can happen, although the direction of the plot makes it obvious where things are heading.
That makes Space Ghost vs. The Herculoids #1 more of a plot-springboard issue than a fully developed crossover story. Those few readers expecting a particularly deep story may come away wanting more. The issue is concerned with getting all the pieces onto the board.
That said, there is reason to give Mr Pepose the benefit of the doubt. His previous Space Ghost work demonstrated that he is capable of finding more depth and pathos in these classic characters than their original animated incarnations demanded. It would therefore be premature to assume that this crossover will amount to nothing more than a collection of action figures being smashed together. There is plenty of room for the story to develop beyond its straightforward setup.
Jonathan Lau’s artwork is exactly what readers who have followed his work on Space Ghost would expect. His style is sleek and modern, giving these classic characters a contemporary comic-book presentation without stripping away their original visual identities. More importantly, there is a noticeable level of care throughout the issue. The panels feel deliberately constructed rather than simply serving as placeholders to move the characters from one scene to another, and the action has the kind of visual clarity needed for a story featuring giant monsters, spaceships, and superheroes.
Space Ghost vs. The Herculoids #1 is an appetizer rather than the full meal. It establishes the conflict, introduces the players, and leaves readers waiting for the inevitable confrontation. Mr Pepose has already demonstrated that he understands how to bring Space Ghost into the modern era, and this issue suggests that he has a good handle on The Herculoids as well.
Now we just have to wait for everybody to start punching each other.