Review: 'The Phantom vs. The Red Dragons #1' from Mad Cave Studios
- Scott Waldyn
- 19 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Red Dragons (also known as "Pirates of the Red Dragon" or "Red Dragon Pirates") are one of The Phantom's more legendary foes. Introduced in a 1979 Team Fantomen story, later republished by Frew, these villains, led by the alluring and bloodthirsty Princess Sin, would appear in a number of original stories from both publishers.
For The Phantom's 90th birthday, Mad Cave Studios adds its own lore to the Red Dragons, with Phantom series writer Ray Fawkes leading the charge. The Phantom vs. The Red Dragons #1 one-shot introduces a new villain to the ever-expanding Mad Cave Studios roster while tethering itself to The Phantom 5-issue miniseries and previous one-shot The Phantom vs. The Sky Band #1.
Watch our review below, and see how the creative team puts its own unique spin on the Red Dragons while paying homage to the phan-favorite classic stories.
Credits for the issue are:
Title: The Phantom vs. The Red Dragons #1
Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Lynne Yoshii
Colorist: Juancho! Velez
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Editor: Sarah Brunstad
Main Cover: Alessio Zonno
Variant Cover: Freddie Williams II & Andrew Dalhouse
Synopsis: But how do you kill a Ghost? The Red Dragons are gonna try—and anyone who gets in the way is just collateral damage! When someone in The Phantom’s familiar cowl starts sinking the Dragons’ pirate operations, Princess Sin goes on the warpath. The South China Sea belongs to the Red Dragons—and they’re not afraid of one man in a mask. Not yet. Another thrilling installment in Ray Fawkes’ action-packed adventure with guest artist Lynne Yoshii!
How does this story compare to the original Red Dragon pirates tales?
We hesitate to use the word "adaptation" on what Ray Fawkes, Lynne Yoshii, Taylor Esposito, and Juancho Velez have done here. This version of the Red Dragons has a similar ruthlessness to the older tales, but the plot is completely new. The way the story plays out, this new take embeds this band of pirates in an ever-expanding Mad Cave Studios universe for The Phantom.
Do any original Red Dragon pirates appear?
Princess Sin appears in this issue in her role as the villainous head of the Red Dragons. Orkhan, Waldo, and Red Dragon associate and benefactor Omar Talmash do not make an appearance here. There seems to be a stand-in for Talmash, though we won't name who, for fear of spoiling how this one-shot ties into previous Mad Cave Studios The Phantom titles. For fans looking to see Drakon, the volcanic island, sadly, is not part of this story.
Are there any connections to previous Red Dragon stories?
Yes! Princess Sin is in this issue, and the Red Dragons' flagship is still a destroyer-class warship. One could argue that the part of the plot that relies on framing The Phantom is a callback to when the Pirates of the Red Dragon used Waldo the Hypnotist to frame Diana Palmer.
Question for the phans: Did you enjoy The Phantom vs. The Red Dragons #1?
Let us know by commenting below this article, on our YouTube, or by dropping us a line. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
