Issue 8 of Tokyo Ghost focuses on the idea of how actions lead to unintended consequences. In particular with Debbie’s action in issue 7 of killing Mr. Flak and how it has led to Davey being unleashed. As a result Davey has control over Led resulting in Debbie being forced to fight him, which only leads to complicating their already strained relationship. Thus the issue continues to contribute to the slow spiraling down of Led Dent and Debbie’s relationship.
The Good:
The comic does an excellent job of linking a backstory with the current fight that is taking place between Debbie and Led Dent. The backstory focuses on Led and Debbie in their childhood creating a garden as a means to escape the technological world and to become self sufficient in growing their own food. Unfortunately the building they are in begins to develop leaks of poisonous water, which will kill the plants. They try to fix/ prevent the leak, but fail to do so resulting in their crops dying. When their crops die Led comes to the conclusion he needs to be stronger while Debbie blames the poisonous rain for destroying their opportunity. While this backstory is being told Led Dent and Debbie are fighting one another, as Debbie is struggling to hurt Led as everything she has done up to this point was to help and free Led from his addiction to power. As a result of this Debbie can’t bring herself to hurt Led, who is about to kill her as she says she blames the poisonous rain for all the actions and events, which breaks Davey’s control over Led. Thus the comic stays consistent with its backstory and the current story while nicely tying the two elements together to bring the story full circle. Thus the comic continues to show amazing character development between Led and Debbie as things from their childhood have such a profound effect on each of them that effect life and death.
The Bad:
Now due to Debbie helping Led break away from Davey the comic takes an extreme position. In which Davey regains control of Led and slits his throat thus ineffectively creating a cliffhanger, as the reader is unaware if Led is dead or alive, while Debbie retreats. In many ways this action feels like an easy way out for both Rick Remender and Sean Murphy to create a plot point for the next issue. As well as it diminishes the calculated and strong character development of Led as his character is seriously jeopardized in a matter of panels. Thus the actions surrounding Led are awkward to the comic and seem more like a selling point then a story point.
Conclusion:
The 8th issue of Tokyo Ghost has highs and low points that generate mixed feelings. The comic does an excellent job of showing how Led and Debbie’s childhood affects them as they are fighting each other. Yet despite utilizing and developing both Led and Debbie the comic significantly damages Led’s character and makes him weak. Thus being counter productive to what the comic had set out to accomplish. As a result issue 8 of Tokyo Ghost is a “coin flip” as half of it is great while the other half is rough to read and appears to be a selling point for the next issue.
