Moonstone Forums

OK, so now we has Moonstone as well, fine, but what make Legacy so much better than the "nothing but" Egmont/newspaperstories made since 1960 or so??

It is very well to be glad for something new on the marked, and it is of course even better to could say that you do like the new stories, but calling a story mixed by prose and some art better than everything else Phantom story made during more than 40 years is very daring!

It is strange to find myself responding to Ivan...even stranger agreeing with him that it is indeed very daring for Brucy to say Legacy is
"THE BEST PHANTOM STORY TO BE PRODUCED SINCE THE GOLDEN DAYS OF LEE FALK, "
However, Legacy was itself very daring. Ben took chances by writing a story in olde English, Joe took a chance by publishing a book that didn't fit the conventions of standart comic book or graphic novel format...and many readers were daring enough to try it.

Ben revisited the origin of the Phantom with a format that I sincerely believe Lee Falk would have appreciated. Lee was a genius at telling great stories in the confines of two inch panels without much dialog...not an easy task. He also was a capable writers of plays, short stories and novels. Ben had a chance to do something special and in my opinion and many others...he rose to the task.

It is true that each contributor to the Phantom has taken artistic license. The Paramount film was perhaps the first to show the first Phantom found by the pygmies when he was just a boy, the Egmont/Semic stories rewrote European history with the Phantom participating often as a minor character sans costume and wearing glasses that hadn't yet been invented (something Lee never did) but  it worked well for the Scandinavian readers. Even the Charlton comics had innovations...like explaining the Phantom's marks being caused by a mysterious jungle dye. The Phantom 2040 showed what a Phantom of the future may be like...of all the future Marvel heroes, the Phantom is the most logical one to exist.  

Lee and I spoke about different interpretations of his character. He approved of the changes Paramount made and I sincerely feel he would have liked Moonstone's contribution to the Phantom legend.
His daughter Valerie decided to write the intro for Moonstone's prose book only after examing Moonstone's approach to the Phantom...making sure it didn't violate the principles of the Phantom.
Valerie's introduction to the Phantom was different in that she heard the adventures as bedtime stories while Lee was formulating them for the comic strips.

Like anyone else, I have favorite Phantom writers, artists, eras and stories. The stories from my childhood resonate more for me than the futuristic Phantom cartoons, but I still recognize them as an incarnation of my favorite comic character and I'm glad there are cults that love Chung's interpretation.

I enjoyed Hasse Lindahl's modern work for Egmont and I am so appreciative that the US finally has a quality Phantom comic.
Arguing about which Phantom comic is best is like arguing about who is the best guitarist...and does he play country, blues, jazz, flamenco, pop, classical, rock or metal. Personally I like jazz and blues much more than opera, but I would never claim opera wasn't music.

Speaking of classical...I especially love painted covers by Don Newton, George Wilson, Rolf Gohs and...Doug Klauba.

Not at all Ed, taht is just what these forums are here for, discussing.

I agree in everything abow, and the book itself may very well be worth buing and reading, but it is not a Phantom comic book, and I think comparing it with such is not fair.

Ben did more than that, he changed some important elements, added some from his own imagination (even some very strange and not very believable) and that was in my opinion a bad move against the "legacy" of Falk!!

Ed you are to kind for this world, to love it all, is that possible??

:unsure:

"I agree in everything abow, and the book itself may very well be worth buing and reading, but it is not a Phantom comic book, and I think comparing it with such is not fair."

Okay...it's not a Phantom comic book. It's a reprint of someone's conception about what the first chronicle might have looked like. Of course it's not fair to compare it to comics. Comics have the difficult task of telling stories in little rectangles or in pages with very specific rules...like the person on the left must always speak first.
Legacy is something more...something different.


"Ben did more than that, he changed some important elements, added some from his own imagination (even some very strange and not very believable) and that was in my opinion a bad move against the "legacy" of Falk!!"

My friend Joe Giella and his friend Carmine Infantino decided to put Batman's logo inside of a yellow oval...I am sure there were traditional Batman fans who thought it was wrong. Spiderman fans formed a website dedicated to criticizing the organic webshooters used for the Spiderman film. (Stan Lee said he didn't mind the change.)
If Ben's changes disturbed you, I would suggest discarding the publication, but realize if someone doesn't agree with you, that doesn't make them less of a Phantom fan. I've been reading the Phantom even longer than you. It's okay to disagree...respectfully.


"Speaking of classical...I especially love painted covers by Don Newton, George Wilson, Rolf Gohs and...Doug Klauba.

Ed you are to kind for this world, to love it all, is that possible??"

I have framed original Phantom art by all of the above but Doug Klauba. I also have a framed oil painting of the Phantom by Sy Barry.
My old Latin teacher would agree with you saying it's impossible to 'love' an inanimate object. Okay, I have these things hanging on the wall in my studio. They bring me joy. I have seen Phantom products that don't excite or interest me...but none that make me angry.

Hi

And I have never said anything like it! What I have tried to express, and it has mad readers of forums so angry that thay will not read more, is that having read only Legacy and nothing else of the Pahtnom can't make them fan of anything else than Legacy, how can they be a fan of soemthing they have never seen?

I have also said that a reader that have only seen Moonstones books have no way of know if they like the rest of the world's publication of the Phantom, and they can't be juding how good a Moonstoen book is comparing to Lee Falk's or anyone else Phantom.

So how can they say that Legacy is the "best there is" of the Phantom?

Exactly when did you start Ed??

I have all respect for any comic reader's opinion, as long as they know what they are talking about. Sadly I have seen a lot of disrespect for mine opinion, only because I do not easely give in to the major opinion. but express may opinion, repitely.

I have no problem with Moonstone publishing books, I have no problem with fans reading only Moonstone, I even have no problem with Moonsotne calling this the Phantom, but I does not have to agree with everything.

What I have a problem with is fans calling Moonstone Phantom the best and only, and Legacy the best book Phantom book ever, knowing they have not seen Falk, Egmont or even Charlton!!

In the end, the only thing I did wrong was to disagree, and don't give in to the majority's opinion to make "love not war", that would be a false move and not who I am!! Sorry!

Looks like a pretty interesting discussion going on right here

There were a number of things about "Legacy" which make it such a good read, don't get me wrong there are dozens and dozens of Phantom stories that I have enjoyed [from both Falk and Egmont] but this one took it one step better.

First off, it's it's a very daring and risky book. Nothing like this has been done with the character before.. from what I've seen that is. It was just nice to read a Phantom story that is very different from what we usually see.

2nd, I found Ben Raab's script to be a thrilling read. With every turn of the page I had no idea what to expect. He did such a good job that it kinda felt like I was reading straight from the first Phantom's chronicles.

To see the 1st Phantom go from a sailor to a Jungle Legend was pretty sweet to read about. Sometimes I forget that The Phantom is only a man and LEGACY really nailed it home that he isn't, deep down he's just an oridnary guy. I liked how the human side of The Phantom was explored more.

Finally, the overall format of the book is quite intriguing. As I said a couple of paragraphs above, it was done in such a way that it felt like I was actually reading from a Chronicle, and it just gave chills!!

Well, for me personally, the Golden Days of Lee Falk were the first decade or so of stories. In this time some of the classics like "The Singh Brotherhood", "The Sky Band" and "The Phantom Goes To War" were written. Don't get me wrong, the stories Lee wrote after that first decade were still VERY VERY good but didn't reach the same height as that first decade when both and Lee and The Phantom.. were on fire.

Daring? Nuh.. just my opinion

You must of course understand that many people, particulary in the US only have access to Moonstone's Phantom so it's kinda hard to comment on something you've never read

On a finishing note, I'm enjoying Moonstone's Phantom a hell offa lot at the moment

Daring, risky and even different make it not "better"! It may give you an better fealing when reading it, but nothing else!

If I remember it right, Rab did let the Phantom grow from a boy to a Jungle Legend! But let that be as it is, for me the Phantom is a comic, there is no need for more description than the comic strips from Falk gave us in that matter!

It has been said in very angry voices that I should not have any opinion about books I have not yet been reading or seen! Well, I don't think you have have time to read every Phantom story from Falk, Egmont or in the USA! If I am wrong, and you ctually have done so, forgive me then you know what you are talking about.

Exactly my point, so why bother?

Hell is not a word I would use, but I can accept most of it!!

Ivan

Happy birthday to the greatest fictional character in history.

When I come home later today, I will celebrate by reading all the DC Phantom stories and re-watching the A&E Phantom documentary.

As for how Moonstone's done in this year, I can only speak on behalf of the few stories I have actually read this far from 2006 (I've said it fifty times before, but I have problems finding the money to order comics from the US, due to the extreme shipping costs). However, you have certainly done a great job promoting awareness of the character, with Mike's generosity against fans is particularly applaudable. I have to say I find it quite moving that the Ghost Who Walks is finally getting the audience he has always deserved in his real homeland, USA, and Moonstone's will to fight for getting him to where he is today has been admirable in every way.

Also, Legacy was great, Law of the Jungle a good character piece, Chuch Dixon's story highly enjoyable, and I can't wait to finally get my hands on the rest of your 2006 output.

Here's to the next 71 years! (Do you hear me, Moonstone?)

I will celebrate by re-reading (yet again!) The Hanta Witch. It is one of Lee Falk's best daily stories and was drawn by a Sy Barry at his absolute peak, in my opinion. The strip is simply a masterpiece and is warmly recommended.

Pip

The funny thing is that a lot of papers had a notice at 7th february and called it the Phantom's birthday. And that came from a big news agent!