The Good
It's the start of a new arc, in a sense. GHOSTED #16 was really the start to all of this, but issue #17 picks up on where Jackson Winters and friends are at and them coming to find Markus plans on trying to capture Death.
Right off the bat, there's something extremely noticable about this book which is a bit of a good and bad thing (we'll get to the bad part later), the art change is really different than what we're used to seeing on this book. From a new reader standpoint, the art of Vladimir Krstic Laci provides a bit or horror and darkness to the series, which was lacking with previous artists. Laci's art feels like it fits the story exceptionally well. While both Sudzuka and Gianfelice's styles in previous arcs of GHOSTED gave the book a more humorous tone, Laci makes this issue feel like it's a bit more set in the real world. All three of the artists (and Ryp on issue #16) are insanely talented on their own and this is nothing against anyone, but Laci's style actually shows a bit of promise and feels like it matches the writing and tone of the book a bit more.
Back to the story, once again, writer Joshua Williamson presents a well-executed concept that in a sense follows the first arc of the book, but the stakes are raised. Instead of stealing a ghost, which Jackson did quite a while ago, he now has to steal death, which as learned a few issues ago, follows him and is watching over him. Of course, going back to the idea of raising the stakes, of course there's going to be a wrench in the whole plan, which is how the issue ends.
Sure, we are getting what seems like a recycled story, on the surface, but there's a lot more to it. The last issue really set this issue up beautifully and makes this issue have a lot more impact. Plus, we get to see Markus and Jackson face-to-face again. GHOSTED has taken the reader through a lot of bizarre twists and turns and you can never take what's going on for granted, and that's really what elevates the enjoyment of reading each issue.
The Bad
What is really shocking about this issue is the change in art. In the past, we've seen a more cartoony or animated style or art on the book. Here, Vladimir Krstic Laci gives the book a more horrific and serious look. It's a bit of a shock to see these characters drawn like this and it feels like it changes the tone of the book. All-in-all, it's fine but it is something fans will need to get used to.
Every time a character mentions Trick, I get a little sadder.
The Verdict
GHOSTED is still one of my favorite on-going series, and while this issue didn't blow me out of the water, it was fantastic and continues to set up a very interesting story that plays on ideas and concepts set-up throughout the entirety of the series. It's a book you can pick up from arc to arc, but works so much better as a whole series, as you start to see things unravel. The new artist may be a bit jolting for long-time readers, but it's fantastic and you should pick this issue up. Read away!