Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: N/A
Written by: Benjamin Raab
Art by: Nick Derington
Colored by: Ken Wolak with Dawn Groszewski
Lettered by: Jeff Eckleberry
Editor: Joe Gentile and Garrett Anderson
Publisher: Moonstone Books
The Phantom is the perfect amalgamation of the comics that I read when I was younger and the comics that I enjoy now. It’s a comic that is smartly written, but never takes itself too seriously. There are classic, comic book thrills aplenty, as well as believable characterizations. A major plus, like comics of yore, this book is completely approachable to fans that have not taken part in The Phantom mythos prior to now. And, not to forget, the artwork is quite beautiful. All ages can enjoy this book. It will make you feel like a kid while you’re reading it, but you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy.
One of the best parts about the book is the additional story pages that are included each issue. The comic carries 28 pages of entertainment, which definitely allows additional action and characterization than a “regular size†comic. A Jedi may not crave adventure and excitement, but I sure do, and The Phantom fills the action and adventure quotient better than any book on the shelves. And the added story pages allow more action/adventure, but the characterization that I love, as well.
The opening for issue #3 features the titular hero in a bar fight that would make Indiana Jones cower with fear. We are then introduced to, Kua the Undying, a much more fantastical villain than the previous arc included. Kua is a shamanistic sort, that looks a bit like Dhalsim from the Street Fighter series, but he’s a hell of a lot tougher. The book took a more realistic turn with the first two-issue story centered on the Phantom taking out the terrorist Gutaale. The tone of the first arc worked out quite well, but I really enjoyed the way Ben Raab changed things up in issue #3, by going with the more classical comic menace of Kua. It’s great to see a book vary its tone from arc-to-arc.
The Phantom mythos is built around the idea of “The Ghost Who Walks.†The Phantom is thought to be an undying spirit that defends the jungle’s of Bangalla. In fact, The Phantom legacy is passed on from father to son (as a matter of fact, every one of the Phantom’s is named Kit Walker), the current incarnation is the 21st such Phantom.
Raab uses this historic legacy as he unfurls a series of wonderful flashback sequence this month. Featured are three previous Phantom’s and their encounters with Kua through the years. We’re treated to adventures in feudal Japan, the Phantom protecting the young woman that will be Catherine the Great in the 18th Century, as well as late 19th Century New York City and an appearance by then Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt. Each of these vignettes allow us to see a new side of the Phantom mythos, and give the book a greatly varied look, but common theme throughout.
Pat Quinn produced exceptional work on the first two issues of the series, and now Nick Derington takes the Phantom’s artistic reigns with magnificent effect! I’d enjoyed Pat Quinn’s work so much, I was a little worried to see someone else come in and give their own interpretation of the character. Thankfully, any trepidation was unfounded. Derington continues the beautiful trend set by Quinn and continues to make this one of my favorite comic’s to look at.
The Phantom is Moonstone’s number one selling book right now, and it’s easy to see why. A lot of books out there promise excitement, but this book delivers. The Phantom is a character that’s been around since the dawn of the comic book and this series deserves a very long run.
Issue #3 will be available at comic shops in early June, but 411Mania will have an exclusive 4-page preview of the issue available online in the News section shortly. So, be on the lookout!
