Review of Mad Cave Studios 'Defenders of the Earth' Issue 8

Mad Cave Studios Defenders of the Earth #8 was published on June 25, 2025. This issue features two different covers. Series artist Jim Calafiore created the main cover, with Djordje Djokovic creating a Kro-Tan action figure box-style variant cover.

Credits for the issue are:

Title: "Grand Finale part 2"

Writer: Dan DiDio 

Artist: Jim Calafiore

Colorist: Juancho Velez 

Letterer: Carlos M Mangual 

Editor: Chas! Pangburn and Sarah Brunstad

Cover A: Jim Calafiore 

Cover B: Djordje Djokovic

The synopsis: The Seven Nations is on the brink of destruction from the forces of Kro-Tan's ice army and the massive, kaiju-sized serpent, Mongor. As The Phantom, Jedda, Mandrake, Lothar, and LJ battle against the army, and Mongor, Flash Gordon, Rick Gordon, and Kshin journey to Kro-Tan's base to put a stop to this siege once and for all.

From a Phantom perspective, we see very little of either Kit or Jedda in this issue. Jedda gets a few punches against the ice soldiers in, channeling her newly gained power of the ten tigers. Kit, on the other hand, channels his worries and concerns for his daughter into action, using his fists to battle against a seemingly never-ending horde of soldiers.

After the grand finale, complete with a fun trick from Mandrake, the Defenders join together once more and prepare for another adventure. The issue ends with a tease for at least one more storyline, referred to as "Defenders of Mongo."

Question for our readers: Have you enjoyed Defenders of the Earth from Mad Cave Studios? What are your thoughts on the storyline, as well as the happenings between The Phantom and daughter Jedda?

We would recommend you check our platforms as we have published three interviews with the creator team for the series: Dan DiDio the writer, Jim Calafiore the illustrator and Chas! Pangburn the editor.

A huge shout-out to our reviewer Scott Waldyn who will be reviewing Phantom comics from USA. You can follow him on his Instagram and/or website.

All Mad Cave Studios comics and other comic reviews will be included in our monthly X-Band: The Phantom Podcasts. You can find out more at our website and/or subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Phantom videos and reviews.