Writer: Mike Bullock Artists: Carlos Magno, Bob Pedroza(c) Publisher: Moonstone
The Phantom relates a story to Kip who attempts to train the orphaned tiger from two issues ago. The story posits the Phantom being detoured from his hunt for his father’s gunbelt, taken from the former Phantom’s corpse by the man who killed him.
This detour takes the Phantom to his Uncle and Aunt’s hometown. There he learns a gang of thugs forcibly stole the necklace he gave to his aunt, a necklace meant to guard her from evil. Through his fists and fighting prowess the Phantom proceeds to spread his legend across the small town.
There are a lot of callbacks to admire in this issue of the Phantom. The gunbelt alludes to the highly recommended Phantom movie. The crime refers to the origin of Batman. The author however makes the necklace an integral part of the Phantom legend. It bears his sign of protection.
The Phantom’s numerous run ins with various gangs around the small town give the author Bullock and artist Magno ample opportunity to display the Phantom’s heroics. His anger sizzles through in the dialogue.
It’s novel and laudable to see a hero actually prevent rapes and murders rather than avenge them, but in terms of a Phantom story, the issue is nothing special. Of course it still surpasses most of the books haunting the racks.
