Reviewer: “Starman†Matt Morrison & Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: N/A
Written by: Ben Raab
Art by: Pat Quinn
Colored by: Ken Wolak with Dawn Groszewski
Lettered by: Jeff Eckleberry
Cover by: John Cassaday
Editor: Joe Gentile, and Garrett Anderson
Publisher: Moonstone Books
Ben Raab and some of the other folks behind the brand new Phantom series have been really good to us at 411Mania. This is the second time that Matt Morrison and myself have been privy to an early preview of the newest issue. For the premiere issue, Matt wrote a Looking to the Stars column while I wrote a standard review. To do something a little different, Matt and I thought we’d pool our comments for the book into one review. I hope you like our co-review as much as we enjoyed writing it.
Matt’s musings
How is it that Raab and Quinn have created a book dealing with timely issues which feels timeless at the same time?. I don’t know. What I do know is that their run on The Phantom is shaping up to be one of the best new books this year.
Quinn’s artwork perfectly captures the pulp epic feel of the classic Phantom stories and every panel looks like a film noir screen shot. I’ve only seen the black-and-white, pre-coloring proofs, but I could just as happily read the book in black and white. That’s how gorgeous Quinn’s work is.
Raab answers last issue’s amazing cliff-hanger with a dazzling action scene in which the Phantom must help evacuate an auditorium after a bomb blows up. This act is repeated later in a flaming hut where The Phantom glibly notes “Pulling people from burning buildings is starting to become something of a habitâ€. These, along with many other acts of daring-do, make nearly every page of the book a cliff-hanger! And Raab has created an interesting new villain in terrorist leader Ali Gutaale. Rather than create a generic bad guy, Raab gives us some insight into Gutaale’s motives that, while simple, are convincing and add something to the character.
Chris’ comments
I found great enjoyment reading the first issue of the The Phantom. The story by Ben Raab captured an exciting feeling of “days of yore†adventure and escapism, but set the adventure in our complicated, modern world. As good as the first issue was (I rated it an 8.0), I must say that issue #2 actually took a strong step forward. This issue really increased the fun factor, but still touched on real world issues.
The fact that the book runs six more pages than a standard comic helps, but I love the fact that the introductory story played out in two issues. I enjoy extended comic storylines, but only when they’re absolutely necessary. Brief one or two issues stories are the best way to work in comics and the easiest way to draw in new readers. Mr. Raab paces the storyline out perfectly, using the big cliffhanger from last issue and launching right into the strong wrap-up. There’s no weakness in the storytelling as there is a strong beginning, middle, and end.
This month’s tale picks up as the Phantom attempts to locate his loved ones then going after the terrorist responsible, Ali Gutaale. There are both tender moments as well as the epic action that is necessary in a tale of this type. Raab portrays the villainous Gutaale perfectly. He’s the personification of evil, but there’s a scrap of humanity in there, which serves to make him that much more real.
Pat Quinn again turns in some amazing linework! The visual flair that Quinn lends to the book is an amazing accomplishment. I found myself gazing over various pages for long moments. The spread of the burning Capitol Building on pages 2-3 was fantastic, not to mention page 13 where the Phantom suits up to go after Gutaale. The page draws to a conclusion with a stunning image of the Phantom astride his horse Hero and flanked by his wolf Devil. It’s no joke when I say that I nearly had to suppress a stream of drool at the beauty of the work.
Pulling it together…
Chris: Ben Raab and Pat Quinn have put together an amazing pair of issues as the new Phantom series launches in grand style. The bi-monthly title will be back in May with a new storyline featuring Ben Raab teaming with a new artist in Nick Derington. While I’m disappointed to see Pat Quinn go, previews of Nick’s work look superb. Plus Pat Quinn will be back later in the year, so it’s not the last we see of his work on The Phantom!
Matt: In a year of over-hyped and thus far underwhelming big-event comics, don’t waste your money on gimmicks. Join me in getting a copy of Phantom #2 when it is released later this week. You won’t regret it.
Chris’ score – 9.0
Matt’s score – 8.5
