As I wrote elsewhere...
I never got #13! I'm quite sure I preordered it (I still have a copy of the orderform), but that doesn't change anything. Whatever...
#14 was a nice issue. It does have a feeling I'm missing in comics. Some would call that a naive take on the superhero genre, but I prefer to dub it pulp and positive take. No grimmy heroes and a positive message label it, in my opinion. I like that a lot and wish more superhero books were this way.
For some reasons, however, it didn't felt as original as I'd want it to. There are 'references' to Spider-Man and Batman (mostly referring to their origins). Nevertheless, that doesn't interrupt the flow of the story, so I don't really mind.
Naming one of the tigers Ares is a sweet reference to 'Lions, Tigers and Bears', isn't it, Mike? I liked that! (And can't wait for the second paperback!!)
#12 was some kind of introduction to the current Phantom, but I think this one was better done in this way. Phantom having a child will serve as a nice plotline I'd like to see develop. Do all Phantoms call their kids Kit? I had this impression. Getting to know that Walker did spend some time out of the jungle was also interesting.
All in all, a nice issue. I'm not saying a great issue because I know Mike can do better! And he will, I'm sure of that. Keep it up everybody and thanks for the entertainment!
PS: I really enjoyed Carlos' work. I don't remember: Will he be staying around? I hope so - or at least I hope to see more work of his soon.
PPS: Ed Rhoades' essay at the end of the issue was also very interesting. I'm really interested in pulp fiction and his input is helping a lot. Keep them coming.
Thanks for your kind words.
Although The Phantom never made it to the pulps, there is a possible connection between a pulp fiction character and Lee Falk. I plan to discuss it in an upcoming column.
Thanks for your kind words.
Although The Phantom never made it to the pulps, there is a possible connection between a pulp fiction character and Lee Falk. I plan to discuss it in an upcoming column.
Hmm, Phantom might not made it to the pulps, but he is a pulp hero, right? Your columns are a sweet extra to the book. Keep them coming!
"Hmm, Phantom might not made it to the pulps, but he is a pulp hero, right? Your columns are a sweet extra to the book. Keep them coming!"
The Phantom is very much like the pulp heroes, but technically, he is not a pulp hero. He appeared in syndicated comic strips, comic books, paperback novels, a serial, a movie, animated cartoon shows, but not pulps.
I asked Lee Falk why there were never pulps with the Phantom and he said he just didn't have time to write them.
Picked this up during my lunch break and read it as well....
Apart from the obvious problems like the swapped speech bubble, heaps of adverts at end of comic, I do not really have any problems in regard to it.
Little bit confusing how the baddie followed the Phantom around and then figured out about Aunt Bessie. Maybe a panel or two more couldve helped explained it a bit better.
It was defiantly fast paced and fast to read as your eagerly turning the next page to see what happened. This is also probably my favourite story out of the three by Mike and I feel he is getting a good grib on it now and I look forward to seeing more....
Im still undecided on the artwork. Most is great but some seems to lack a little bit. It seems a bit too dark generally..
Overall I did enjoy it and look forward to see number 15!
What did you think of it?
To be honest, Mike, I am of two minds on Phantom #14. I'm enjoying how you seem to be slowly immersing the Phantom deeper into the environment(s) around him and reaffirming his commitment. Yet it's missing the mark somehow. He seems awkward, as if he's lacking confidence. And the witty banter? Awful. I actually groaned. Sorry. The review, meantime, was very, very generous, so I guess you'll simply have to take the bad with the good. Knock me out with #15, okay?
He seems awkward, as if he's lacking confidence.
He is lacking confidence, he's still a teenager in issue 14, not the man who wears the mask now.
Picked this up during my lunch break and read it as well....
Apart from the obvious problems like the swapped speech bubble, heaps of adverts at end of comic, I do not really have any problems in regard to it.
Little bit confusing how the baddie followed the Phantom around and then figured out about Aunt Bessie. Maybe a panel or two more couldve helped explained it a bit better.
It was defiantly fast paced and fast to read as your eagerly turning the next page to see what happened. This is also probably my favourite story out of the three by Mike and I feel he is getting a good grib on it now and I look forward to seeing more....
Im still undecided on the artwork. Most is great but some seems to lack a little bit. It seems a bit too dark generally..
Overall I did enjoy it and look forward to see number 15!
I'm glad you're enjoying the series more, Germ. As for the art of Carlos, 15 is his last issue, so you won't have to be on the fence about him beyond next issue. Silvestre is working on issue 18 right now and is currently scheduled to remain on board through issue 25 and, hopefully, beyond.
We do have a guest artist on issue 20, which was originally to be Eric J, but his plate is piled high with assignments of late, so we turned to another Moonstone fan favorite artist to take Eric's place. More on that later.
I wanted to like this issue.
Really, I did.
My main gripe is with the artwork. The Phantom's Uncle has a response to the somber mood in the hospital room. If you read the words it seems believable, but the panel shows a shocked reaction, like he just saw a snake. Add to that the uncle jumping on Kit in the next panel for the same thing and the uncle comes off harsh and annoying.
During the first fight scene with the street gang the Phantom disarms a gang member with his right hand and then delivers a punch with the same hand the next panel down. It took me out of the moment and made me wonder how he did that, which isn't something I think the writer wants.
Then there is the street gang who terrorize Clarksville, MO with Conan daggers they bought at a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Con. Only one guy carries a gun? Plus, they all look like some artist's "idea" of a gang from some post-apocalyptic movie from 1983; not very believable. And what's with the 50's terminology they all use (Chickie?).
But there is a problem with the story's set-up that struck me as odd. The Phantom's son asks why the tiger's killers weren't killed, and the Phantom immediately falls into a long story, right out in front of the Skull Cave, he comes off like a lecturing father.
"Dad, can I have another pork chop?"
"Another pork chop?? Let me tell you a story about the time...."
And what's the point of the story as a whole? To convince the reader that killing is wrong? Wouldn't a fan of the Phantom already believe that? And if not, the fact that it's a tenant of the Phantom Oath should be enough to persuade you, it's part of the gig! So this whole story is to convince the character of the son, and the reader is along for the ride already agreeing with the Phantom.
So what's the message to the reader? What's our involvement?
Again, I wanted to like this comic, as I want to like any Phantom comic book I buy. I give this series a lot more leeway than other comics I've read, mainly because it's an unusual character in the comic book world and the book comes out a little more irregularly than other comics. But any other series and I might have dropped it by now.
Just my thoughts.
;/