02-19-2008, 01:45 PM
02-19-2008, 09:43 PM
Walker Wrote:
I haven't read the entire thread in fear for spoilers (my issue is hopefully arriving soon), but I have to say I would definetely not even think about complaining about the regularity the book comes out... Remember, it's not that long since it felt like we got a new issue every fifth month or so, due to some unfortunate delays. After issue 12, the production has been great; we get even better stories that seems to appeal to even more fans, excellent articles, AND the book comes out regularly.
The only "negative" thing for me personally is that due to the book coming out this often, Moonstone takes more of my money.
The only "negative" thing for me personally is that due to the book coming out this often, Moonstone takes more of my money.
Thanks, Walker. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned your appearance in #21...
02-21-2008, 06:39 AM
Got the issue today, and absolutely loved it. Off course, I must say seeing myself on the pages of a Phantom comic surely contributed to that! What a cool experience. I was quite shocked to see how much it looked like me (I did off course expect resemblance, but the finished result is like I'm looking in a mirror). Who knew I'd end up as the Walker-family's driver! It was also thrilling to see both my first and last name in the story ("Just pull up right alongside, Paul". It's every fan's dream to have Diana Palmer speaking to you! ). My father's jaw almost hit the floor when he saw how much it actually looked like me.
Thank you so much for using my face! Especially the first image on page 15 is so similiar to the face I see in the mirror every day that it's almost scary... That expression is just dead on. Can't wait to show the book to my friends.
On to the story itself, I thought it was excellent in pretty much every way. It was enormous fun to see Ali Gutalee again, a bad guy I always wished to see return to the pages after Raab's excellent Stones of Blood (now, if that skull-faced Manuel Ortega would show up as soon as possible, I'd be an even happier man). Part 1 of this story feels a bit like a cross between the Phantom and an episode of 24 (which is a compliment, BTW), and I can't wait to see how things go from here. However, you can't judge the entire season of 24 on its first episode, and this goes for the Checkmate as well, but the beginning is surely one of the most genuinely exciting and affecting stories Moonstone's done this far. Kit and Heloise being with their mother and father the moment before Diana is seemingly killed, makes the event even more moving. I was actually very sad seeing the kids' reaction to the plane being blown to pieces.
I am especially looking forward to see how his mourning for his seemingly (I say seemingly, because no-one ever seems to stay dead in comics, and certainly not in Phantom stories!) dead wife will affect the Phantom in his search for the people behind the events that are sure to leave a mark on Bengalla. The last page is beautiful, with a grim Phantom in deep sorrow. I love the way the dialogue in his flashbacks to memories from his life with Diana is taken directly from Falk and Barry stories. And off course, the way Temur Singh is seemingly a part of pulling the strings is, again, exciting. He seems to be a worhty, smart opponent to the Ghost Who Walks.
I'm trying to come up with some constructive critique for this story, but I can't think of anything at all that bothers me (the speech bubble thing aside, which I feel is rather insignificant anyway). This is easily one of the best issues in the ongoing series, and the best Mike has written this far that doesn't have Invisible Children in the title (I just loved that trilogy). I think I said it in a Chronicle Chamber review, but it's worth repeating: It's rare to see someone increase so much in quality over not that many stories, from the underrated TIger's Blood to this one. We get ALOT of events happening on relatively few pages, yet it never feels convoluted.
It's also great to see the paper quality improve even more than it did in the Invisible Children trilogy.
This is the first time in a while where I feel inclined to re-read a story immidiately. The plotting is certainly intelligent enough to warrant it, and I can't wait to get the next four parts.
). My father's jaw almost hit the floor when he saw how much it actually looked like me. Thank you so much for using my face! Especially the first image on page 15 is so similiar to the face I see in the mirror every day that it's almost scary... That expression is just dead on. Can't wait to show the book to my friends.
On to the story itself, I thought it was excellent in pretty much every way. It was enormous fun to see Ali Gutalee again, a bad guy I always wished to see return to the pages after Raab's excellent Stones of Blood (now, if that skull-faced Manuel Ortega would show up as soon as possible, I'd be an even happier man). Part 1 of this story feels a bit like a cross between the Phantom and an episode of 24 (which is a compliment, BTW), and I can't wait to see how things go from here. However, you can't judge the entire season of 24 on its first episode, and this goes for the Checkmate as well, but the beginning is surely one of the most genuinely exciting and affecting stories Moonstone's done this far. Kit and Heloise being with their mother and father the moment before Diana is seemingly killed, makes the event even more moving. I was actually very sad seeing the kids' reaction to the plane being blown to pieces.
I am especially looking forward to see how his mourning for his seemingly (I say seemingly, because no-one ever seems to stay dead in comics, and certainly not in Phantom stories!) dead wife will affect the Phantom in his search for the people behind the events that are sure to leave a mark on Bengalla. The last page is beautiful, with a grim Phantom in deep sorrow. I love the way the dialogue in his flashbacks to memories from his life with Diana is taken directly from Falk and Barry stories. And off course, the way Temur Singh is seemingly a part of pulling the strings is, again, exciting. He seems to be a worhty, smart opponent to the Ghost Who Walks.
I'm trying to come up with some constructive critique for this story, but I can't think of anything at all that bothers me (the speech bubble thing aside, which I feel is rather insignificant anyway). This is easily one of the best issues in the ongoing series, and the best Mike has written this far that doesn't have Invisible Children in the title (I just loved that trilogy). I think I said it in a Chronicle Chamber review, but it's worth repeating: It's rare to see someone increase so much in quality over not that many stories, from the underrated TIger's Blood to this one. We get ALOT of events happening on relatively few pages, yet it never feels convoluted.
It's also great to see the paper quality improve even more than it did in the Invisible Children trilogy.
This is the first time in a while where I feel inclined to re-read a story immidiately. The plotting is certainly intelligent enough to warrant it, and I can't wait to get the next four parts.
02-26-2008, 11:15 PM
Not many complaints about this issue 
Not much emo investment in the story (pretty predictable from the start) as of now, let's see how it pans out in the following episodes.
Gutaale and Temur's dynamic-duo appearance was a bit trite and corny, but it can be chalked up to artistic license and "plot device".
The JP officer's speech was too icky and stuck out like a putrid wart!
BW covers are arty and cool and great for collectors-variants and all that hoopla, but they're are a major disappointment! The cover on this issue is a total non-incentive and not the least entertaining!
Ha! I expect nothing but the best from you good folks here
(BTW, excellent characterization for Devil in this story.
)
Not much emo investment in the story (pretty predictable from the start) as of now, let's see how it pans out in the following episodes.
Gutaale and Temur's dynamic-duo appearance was a bit trite and corny, but it can be chalked up to artistic license and "plot device".
The JP officer's speech was too icky and stuck out like a putrid wart!
BW covers are arty and cool and great for collectors-variants and all that hoopla, but they're are a major disappointment! The cover on this issue is a total non-incentive and not the least entertaining!
Ha! I expect nothing but the best from you good folks here
(BTW, excellent characterization for Devil in this story.
)02-29-2008, 05:37 PM
Quote:
BW covers are arty and cool and great for collectors-variants and all that hoopla, but they're are a major disappointment! The cover on this issue is a total non-incentive and not the least entertaining!
I think my mind just exploded......
04-21-2008, 11:39 PM
Quote:
Marvel, DC etc have the financial ability to put out hundreds of books each month
Yeah, but the majority of those are craptastic. I just picked up this issue and enjoyed it. Being a husband and father is one of the character aspects I enjoy most with the Phantom. This issue certainly played to that arena as the family had to cope with a tragedy (seemingly). I know these comics are limited in there allotted space (and it is an action story) but I would have preferred to see more scenes with the Walker family dealing with the grief. I know he's been trained his whole life and he was falling back on the Phantom's Oath to cope, but it is the character's humanity that separates him from other "super" heroes. I also didn't like the kids being ushered off to bed while dad sits and broods on his throne.
Perhaps if his wife is such a target for terrorism the authorities should keep her travel itinerary secret. If even the news is there to broadcast her plane departing it probably wasn't a chore for the terrorists to keep tabs on her as well, whoops.
04-22-2008, 07:21 AM
Moonstone has managed to use the old "Diana in danger" routine a lot in a short span of stories. On the plus side however, they did bring in the same guy who failed before - Ali Gutaale - and let him have another go at it 
Speaking of Gutaale - when and how was he captured? Last time we saw him (in #2) he escaped the Phantom.
Speaking of Gutaale - when and how was he captured? Last time we saw him (in #2) he escaped the Phantom.
04-23-2008, 12:28 AM
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