The No Event Comic Review, wherein I will provide my opinion of quality comics that don’t require a checklist for monthly reading.
I’m going to star off slow with a review of The Phantom #26. Written by Mike Bullock and Illustrated by Zeu. Published by Moonstone.
In a stand-alone story that takes place prior to what appears to be a relaunch of the series we are given a look back at the thirteenth Phantom.
The Phantom and his new bride, Jeanette, are headed back to America to gather her belongings before returning to their new home in the jungles of Bangalla. But wouldn’t you know it, just off the coast of Florida, their ship is attacked by pirates.
While the crew is busy getting killed, Kit Walker is changing into his Phantom tights. As the Ghost Who Walks slinks around taking out the pirates they are busy transferring the cargo to their ship. That cargo happens to be slaves, some taken from the Phantom’s homeland of Bangalla.
Being a stand alone the Phantom makes quick work of the slavers (not a spoiler) and he and his swashbuckling bride are ready to start their lives together.
While an enjoyable story with attractive artwork, there is some lazy story telling taking place. First, how would someone opposed to slavery like the Phantom manage to book passage on a slaver ship without being aware that the hold was full of his countrymen? Second, the ship is coming from England although the British stopped shipping slaves in 1807 (the 13th Phantom took on the mantle during the war of 1812). Finally, the pirate captain uses a Gatlin Gun; an invention he claims was his great grandfather’s. This type of firearm technology would not be developed until the America Civil war.
The Phantom has had some great stories in it’s run with Moonstone and one can hope that with the relaunch scheduled for February the quality will grow and this classic character will gain more American readers.
