Like a comic-to-film adaptation the idea behind The Phantom Annual #2 gets you excited and eager to see what happens. The actual pay off, however, just doesn’t quite cut it.
Continue reading »
Feb 112009
Mar 272008
By Joe Douglas
This is something of an interesting issue. It is sure to displease some of the more tradition phans out there and as a self-contained story the issue doesn’t really deliver, however I found myself wanting to find out what happens next.
As Jim Shepherd says in introduction the idea of the Phantom giving up his life as the Ghost Who Walks is not a new one. Lee Falk expertly explored this idea in The Normal Life, a truly classic Phantom tale. In The Great Deception, however, writer Claes Reimerthi shows us that, had things been different, there would never have been a second Phantom let alone a 21st.
The story revolves mainly around the first Phantom’s wife, Marabella (who, actually, may not have been the first Phantom’s wife at all, historically speaking,) and her call to return to rule her country. She pleads with her husband to give up his life as an avenger and come with her and their sons to start a new life in Maravilloso. The Phantom agrees and begins to tie up loose ends in his old life. However, as with any Phantom story, there are many schemes and plots also involved and they have a hand in the Phantom’s final decision.
The main problem with the story is that we know for a fact that the 1st Phantom didn’t give up his role as the Ghost Who Walks. There have been 20 Phantoms since his time so already we know, in a way, how the story will end. As such the “great deception” that is refereed to in the title would have to be something very big to give it any weight, and this is the second problem. If the ‘great deception’ is in fact that the first Phantom almost gave up his role then because we already know he eventually decided not to there is no emotional investment in the story. (As this is only part one of the story we can’t be sure this actually is the deception.)This is a shame because Reimerthi could really have gone to town with this but it seems he took a road often traveled. I hope that the second issue proves me wrong on this count.
Shockingly, during the climax of the issue, the Phantom purposefully kills several soldiers. I’m sure these scenes will not sit well with some phans as I myself was taken aback by them and I’m not one to get very uppity about such things. I know some phans do not like violence in their Phantom comics so it will be interesting to see how they react to this story.
While this is one of the better historical stories from Egmont of late it still suffers from common problems of the sub-genre; 2D characters, chunky dialogue and so many strange names the reader can sometimes feel lost. I’ve never been a huge fan of Joan Boix’s art either. It seems clumsy and uninspired. Perhaps it looks nicer in the coloured Egmont editions but in Frew’s black and white books it just looks messy and cluttered.
While this is far from a perfect issue I still have a feeling of anticipation to see where the story goes. After the big set up at the beginning of the book (“It seems that parts [of the Skull Oath] have, er, been edited a bit to make for an inspirational story!” ) coupled with the quite average ending of this issue I can’t help but feel that issue two must be holding something really big in the wings.
I hope this is the case as Egmont’s historical stories have been stale for a long time and they really need something big to shake them up.
Score: 5/10
Discuss this issue on the forums
Jan 072008
Talk about packing in everything plus the kitchen sink! The Storm has so much going on in its 31 pages that it’s amazing it all fits together so nicely. Still, fitting together nicely is what this story does and it does it brilliantly.
Set against the backdrop of a gigantic weather storm the Phantom must face poachers, pirates, rescues a small village of children, perform a surgical operation and, along with his band of followers, survive the biggest storm to hit Bengalla in over 100 years! Not only that, a whole host of Phantom supporting cast members also make an appearance.
A story that has so much going on could easily have ended up a complete mess but writer Norman Worker fits everything together beautifully and the story flows without a single bump in the road. The dialogue is smart and interesting – no Frew translation problems here – and Georges Bess’ art compliments Worker’s script wonderfully. I really enjoy Bess’ work; his simplistic, illustrative style really gives a classic feel to the stories.
The Storm is a prime example of a Phantom story done well and is easily one of the better issues from Frew for 2007.
Jan 072008
You can tell a comic is going to be good when you start chuckling by the third page into the story. Such was my experience with Moonstone’s latest issue Worth Beyond Measure.
In reading this story you can tell Mike Bullock had fun writing it. Snappy one-liners, perfect dialogue and swashbuckling action abound. It’s easy to see Mike has settled in comfortably as the newest writer of the Ghost Who Walks. This is the most fun I’ve had reading a Phantom story all year!
Guest artist Zeu brings a great sense of life and adventure to the story. Not to take away from previous Moonstone Phantom artists, Zue’s drawings are tight and flowing. His style has an amazing mix of classic Sy Barry charm and modern Stefano Caselli fun and detail. It fits the story, not to mention the world of the Phantom, perfectly. I really hope Zeu get’s some more Phantom projects soon!
One of my biggest complaints against Moonstone’s Phantom stories is how short they feel. I say “feel” because they are the standard American comic book length of 22 pages, but they always feel like they are over way too soon. With this issue, however, I felt I had read a good, full rounded, complete story. Perhaps because it was a self contained issue, perhaps because Bullock and Zeu didn’t wast a single page, panel or speech bubble, this felt like the most complete and well rounded of all of Moonstone’s on-going Phantom series.
It’s always nice to see well executed humor in a Phantom story and this issue has it in spades. The line “It’s considered bad form to attack a man from behind while he’s engaged in funeral planning” should secure this issue in the running for Story of the Year all by itself! At the very least the line should be the first of Moonstone’s own collection of Jungle Sayings.
In my mind this is proves that Moonstone’s Phantom stories just keep on getting better and better and better. Can’t wait to see what 2008 has in store for the Phantom!
By Joe Douglas
5/5
Dec 312007
By Joe Douglas
For an issue that is basically all set
up Forgotten is a heck of a lot of fun. Mike Bullock seems much
more comfortable writing the Phantom than in past issues and
Silvestre Szilagyi’s debut as on-going artist is simply beautiful and
in one or two frames reminds me of the greatest of Phantom
artists, Sy Barry.
As mentioned the issue is a big set up for the next story arc, The
Invisible Children three parter which we have heard so much
about. Still, as an issue in and of itself #16 is fun, fast and full of
action that will have your blood pumping. The Carlyle family
passing the Good Mark down from generation to generation is
something right out of a Lee Falk story as are the poor natives
whose intentions are misunderstood. Angela Carlyle is a very
likable character (recurring Femme Fatals is something I’d love to see in Moonstone’s stories) and I hope we get to see her again sometime soon.
I was surprised to see Moonstone go with a black and white cover for this issue, something
that is very rarely seen in comic stores, and then usually only as a variant cover, not as the
standard issue cover. Still, the effect of this stark black and white image, beautifully created
by Bret Blevins and Terry Austin, stands out on the comic store self from among the horde of
colour covers.
Moonstone #16 is arguably Bullocks finest Phantom tale to date and this issue would also act
as a perfect jumping on point for new Phans.
SCORE: 4/ 5
Dec 312007
By Paul Jonassen
From the moment the Invisible Children story was
announced, or when writer Mike Bullock spilled his ideas of the
Phantom’s encounter with child-soldiers, I was very much
intrigued. This is a story based on a real-life ongoing conflict so
insane that it is hard to believe that it is pretty much ignored or
forgotten by most people and the media. Fortunately, the Phantom
is here to remind us about things that are far more important than
the latest “tactics” of the Iraq-war: The lives of innocent children,
dragged into a bizarre conflict by horrendous adults.
Invisible Children, Part 1 is in pretty much every way a great story.
The fact that we read is actually based on (albeit fictionalized)
reality, somehow makes me feel a little guilty for enjoying the book
so much, which is good. Way too rarely does a Phantom story make us think over what kind of a world we actually live in where such deeds are committed
without anyone raising an eyebrow.
Readers first got to hear about HIM in issue 16. Loosely based on LRA-founder Joseph Kony,
the character was only mentioned in awe and fear by people who had in some way
encountered or heard about him. This was a clever way of writer Bullock to get people’s
imagination going, using a technique that reminds me about the way Marlon Brando’s Colonel
Kurtz was portrayed in one of my favorite films, Apocalypse Now. The more you hear about
him, the more intriguing he becomes. I fear that when he makes a proper appearance (he is
only seen very briefly in issue 17) he might actually end up as something of an anticlimax,
since he is already quite well developed in my mind.
I am also very glad Bullock did not actually have the Phantom fighting (and possibly
defeating) the real-life Kony. It would have been every bit as tasteless as when Superman
defeated Hitler during World War II, while brave soldiers were still dying in the field for their
countries.
Silvestre Szilagyi has the potential to be the best artist on Moonstone’s Phantom so far, and
this issue’s glossy paper suits his excellent drawings very well. He comes across as being
inspired by Sy Barry, and like the great man, his style feels timeless, combining what you
expect to see in a modern American graphic novel with the classic feel of the old strips. It is a
real treat to see a man this talented illustrate the Phantom on a regular basis, and I hope he
stays on the title for a long time.
It’s rare to see a storyteller grow better and more assured with every piece of fiction he writes,
but this is the case with Mike Bullock. From his good two-part debut Tiger’s Blood, the
increase in quality from issue to issue has been huge, and Invisible Children flows a lot
smoother and is just a whole lot more exciting than any of the man’s previous work on the
character. The Phantom is portrayed in a way I have always been very fond of, mysterious
and scary, always having the upper hand on his enemies by using simple, borderline
theatrical techniques. Here, the Ghost Who Walks relies very much on the power of sound
effects, using something as simple as a flute to scare evildoers.
The cliffhanger could be one of the most exciting in Phantom
history, but you’ll have to read the thing to see it for yourself, as I
don’t want to spoil it for potential readers of this book. Let’s just
say I am very much excited to see how things go from here, and
how Bullock is going to explain this in a way that can live up to the
thrilling premise and actually make any sense.
Invisible Children part 1 is a flawless issue, and possibly
Moonstone’s best Phantom story in a regular comic book this far.
Bullock and Szilagyi will have to work very hard to match the
standard set here in the future. With an, as usual, interesting
article by walking Phantom-encyclopedia Ed Rhoades and an
interesting interview with Bullock and Danica Russell, one of the
founders of the real life Invisible Children-organization, this book is
truly worth every buck. With a quality-product like this, I don’t think the Phantom is going to disappear from US comic book shelves again anytime soon.
I think Lee Falk would have been proud.
5/5
Dec 312007
By Joe Douglas
While this may not be my favorite
Falk story it is one I remember for a very different reason to that
of your regular Phantom tale. I remember this story for its
sweetness.
There really isn’t any other word to describe The Heirs. Sure, it
has moments of action but they are overshadowed by the warm
feeling you get at seeing this new family blossom and the
obvious, unconditional love The Phantom and Diana have for
each other. This is a tale from the heart and Falk delivers it
superbly. I won’t even bother to mention how good Barry’s art is
because you all know what a master he is.
The Heirs is a beautiful story of the beginnings of a new family,
a family that is one of comicdoms most famous. It is also the story in which the Phantom himself really sheds his “hero” personal and becomes something
perhaps a lot more important – a father.
SCORE: 4/ 5
Dec 312007
By Paul Jonassen
It might be a bit misleading to say that Claes Reimerthi is “back with a
bang!” since he writes most of Egmont’s new output anyway, but
damn, for this thriller, the description would fit perfectly. It’s been a
long month of waiting for this issue to arrive, but it was all worth it.
I’ve said it dozens of times before, and I repeat it: Claes Reimerthi
should be given a lot more creative freedom while writing Phantom
stories. It’s remarkable how good he is when he’s allowed to evolve
the Phantom and his universe further, and after having read this
story, I can say that the future of Bengalla appears even bleaker.
The script is just amazingly tight, leaving the reader with little room to breathe. The plot is
also far more intelligent than the average Phantom adventure, and you’ll have to pay close
attention to details to not miss important stuff. As the title says, the story is about a deadly
new virus let loose in Bengalla, all orchestrated by the Singh Pira… sorry, the Singh
Corporation.
The art of Cesar Spadari is, as always, awesome. I would consider him only second to Hans
Lindahl when judging today’s Phantom artists, and I really wish he would have the time to
draw even more stories. He also makes the Phantom himself look a lot cooler than some
artists do, for reasons difficult to explain properly.
Speaking of the Ghost Who Walks, Reimerthi’s characterization of him is just spot-on in this
story. The Phantom is portrayed as very menacing to evildoers, yet still trustworthy for those
who need his help. He is even given something of an attitude in this adventure, appearing
slightly more cynical than what we are used to (maybe Claes has been re-reading early
Falk/Moore stories?), and going all Clint Eastwood on a bad guy: “Stop the car, or I’ll break
your neck!” (Before all you countless Falk-purists out there tear all your hair in anger, keep
in mind that he doesn’t really MEAN he wants to break the man’s neck… He just wants to
make him piss his pants in sheer fright, right?). The Phantom is supposed to be a
complicated man, ruthlessly scaring the crap out of those who cross him while still being a
good, kind hearted soul when together with good people. In this issue, we mostly see the
“scary as hell” side of him, which is perfectly fine with me.
Egmont’s doing a bloody good job with updating the Phantom and his world a bit (at least
that’s what it seems like), and I can hardly wait to see where things go from here. The
Phantom’s going to go through a hard time, but that will surely only make for better and
more interesting stories for his many followers.
5/5
Dec 312007
By Paul Jonassen
The idea is simple, but excellent: Tell the life story of Dogai
Singh, leader of the Singh Brotherhood and all-round
eeeeeeeevil guy. With the first appearance of Kabai Singh
since 1936, a quick glimpse of Sala the aviatrix, and the kind of
mysterious, dangerous, yet kind-hearted Phantom that Falk
used to write in his early career, this is poised to be a fan
favourite in almost every way (did I mention Hans Lindahl is
drawing?).
It’s been a very good year for Egmont, much thanks to the
tireless Claes Reimerthi. It’s amazing how one person can write
so much without any noticeable drop in quality. Quite the
opposite, as I think that the Swedish writer is easily delivering
some of his most interesting work ever at the moment, being responsible for writing the stories about Bengalla’s continued political evolvement. This
adventure doesn’t really touch upon that subject, however, but instead focuses on telling a
tight, imaginative story that touches as much upon Dogai’s life as the way the Singh
Brotherhood is built (man, are they a treacherous bunch of people).
The story follows something that has been pointed out as an increasing trend in Egmont
stories: The Phantom only appears very briefly, seen through the eyes of Dogai and the
Singh-pirates. I personally think this is a cool and refreshing thing, as the Phantom is one
of few fictional characters that have the potential to be at his very best when seen through
the eyes of the ones that fear him. He’s not called The Ghost Who Walks for nothing, you
know. We don’t even learn which Phantom appears, but I would guess it’s the 19th, 20th, or
possibly both. Nevertheless, it all adds to the mystery of the character.
I have to come back to Lindahl… The man is pretty much the most talented man drawing
the Phantom today, and, dare I say it, he keeps improving. Every drawing is full of details,
and it’s easy to see the man absolutely loves his job.
On the negative side, the long overused cliché of the Phantom passing out after being hit
in the back of his head also makes an appearance… How many times can the exact same
thing happen to the same guy? He is supposed to be a very intelligent man, but man, does
this make him look a lot more stupid, walking into the same trap in what feels like almost
every episode. The writers have to think of something new now, maybe him actually losing
a fight with an antagonist for a change (oh, and while we’re at it, please get rid of the thing
where the bad guys trip over and falls on their own knife/sword/gun/helmet too).
Another minus is that we have to wait a few issues for the second and final part. Although
These things work so much better when they are published without the long breaks in
between. Although this story has a subtler, while still exciting, cliffhanger than what is
common, it’s nevertheless slightly disappointing having to wait until Fantomet issue 23
arrives. Still, the next issue will contain the continuation of the Bengallan Presidential
election, so who am I to complain.
These nitpicks aside, there are no real problems in this story. Reimerthi has managed to fit
in an awful lot of information and events in these 30 pages or so, without it ever looking the
slightest bit crammed.
This is a terrific tale in almost every way, and I can’t wait to see how it ends (or is that
“begins”?).
5/5
Dec 282007
By Joe Douglas
A bit of a mixed bag, this issue. The Skull Mark was a rather boring and predictable story. I wasn’t really interested in what happened, nor did I much care. The idea of examining the life of a man after his encounter with The Phantom is a very interesting one and could lead to any number of plot lines. Unfortunately here this takes a back seat to the much less interesting story of the hotel and its crooked owner. Truly a missed opportunity.
The Wolf Monster was a more enjoyable story. Although it seemed to end much too quickly and felt rushed in part. The darker tone of the story, brilliantly accentuated by Spadari’s art, gave an atmosphere of dread to the tale that many Phantom stories do not have.
The Master of Eden is defiantly one of Lee Falk’s weaker stories. A hum-drum tale where nothing of much interest happens. Eden is a nice idea and this story had potential. If Lee only focused more on the ramifications of the cats hunger – perhaps even have one of them kill off a zebra or something, things would have been much more interesting. As it is the story feels too safe – we know the Phantom is going to sort things – and simply spirals into a by-numbers Phantom tale.
The Ion Dragon was by far the highlight of the issue. One of my favourite Falk tales, this is actually quite a dark story. Two men, one driven by greed, another by revenge, destroy and kill simply for the joy of it. Although the killing is all “off screen” it is implied many times by various characters. The natives constantly say the tank “spits fire and death.”
A very engaging and slightly unsettling story, it really hits you in the face with the brutality of the two criminals, Budd and Bura. Also, the Phantom doesn’t appear until a little after half- way through the story, adding to the characters mystery which completely disappears in later Falk tales, such as The Master of Eden.
So this 4 Story issue wasn’t anywhere as good as the last, but still a decent enough issue.
1/5