The Phantom Annual #2

Like a comic-to-film adaptation the idea behind The Phantom Annual #2 gets you excited and eager to see what happens. The actual pay off, however, just doesn’t quite cut it.

Before I get too far into this review I will say straight off the bat that I’m not 100% happy with The Phantom Annual #2 and that it’s probably my own fault. You see, I wanted to love this issue, and what fan of Lee Falk’s characters could blame me? A meet-up between the Phantom, Mandrake and Lothar, something that has not been done right since the Phantom’s wedding, is one exciting prospect. Three classic characters, together. But, alas, it was not to be...

The issue starts off wonderfully with a very powerful interrogation scene that sets up the events of the story. It's brutal, it's gut-wrenching and it introduces a villain whose evil obviously requires the combined strength of our three heroes to take him down. This is not going to be a "safe" story. We are then introduced to Mandrake during a performance in which he marvels the audience. Then we meet Lothar who really looks like a guy you would not want to mess with. The modernization of the two characters works wonderfully and does not at any point feel out of character for either of them. After some sleuthing by Mandrake and Lothar the scene cuts to Bengalla.

In classic Mike Bullock tradition the Phantom is introduced brilliantly. He looks powerful, he looks majestic, he looks as he should. However, it is not long after this things start to get wobbly.

After his introduction the Phantom allows a thug to be mauled to death by a lion. This feels terribly out of character. The thug is standing right in front of the Phantom when the lion attacks, the Phantom could have easily taken the lion out with his spookishly fast gun play. Instead he makes a smart remark and listens to the man die. This scene actually had me wondering who wrote what for the rest of the issue, Mike or Kevin Grevioux.

From here the story speeds up a little too much. Everything feels rushed and scenes feel forced. Mandrake and Lothar just appear in the jungle and start battling the baddies. There is no mention that they where venturing there other than a little hint from Mandrake that they would "take a holiday." Surely thay would have contacted the Phantom? The Phantom finds the thugs very quickly and simply rushes into the frey, there is no actual being a phantom, a ghost. Then, suddenly, the villains are back in New York. Umm...what?

The biggest disappointment, and possibly the biggest flaw in the book, is the reuniting of the Phantom, Mandrake and Lothar, as in there is none. There is not one frame of "Mandrake, my old friend, it's been a long time." Or friendly handshaking. No, it's just straight onto the story, as if the characters all expected that the separate strands they where following would cause them all to meet up. It's amazing that a book whose biggest draw card is the reunion of Falk's characters doesn't even address said reunion. It doesn't feel important at all. Either set of characters (Mandrake/ Lothar, the Phantom/Guran) could easily be swapped out for any other set of characters and there would be no affect on the story. Indeed, there need not even have been a meeting between the characters as the conclusion of the story in no way shows how one character could not have gone without the other. The whole last half of the story feels very sloppy and really ruins what started off as a great comic.

Sadly, the art can not win this issue many points as it is way too inconstant. At times there are some marvelous moments, such as the reveal of the Phantom on page 18, Mandrake's magic performance (pages 6-7) and the final page of the issue. The majority, however, ranges from decent to plain awful. Pages such as the drug testing scene halfway through and the final battle are messy and dull. The colouring, however, is beautiful throughout and Goncalves should be applauded for that.

All in all The Phantom Annual #2 is a let down. This book was supposed to be a launching point for Moonstone's forthcoming Mandrake books. However, there is really no explanation of who or what the character is. We see he has powers, but of what kind? Are they actual manifestations or does he just make people think they are seeing these things? What is his relationship with Lothar and why does Lothar refer to Mandrake as "boss"? How do Mandrake and the Phantom know each other? Questions such as these go unanswered and I think those uninitiated with the characters of Mandrake and Lothar are going to feel completely lost here.

Moonstone, Mike and Kevin, sadly, have really let a great opportunity pass here. This book could have, and should have, been like those big event issues other companies have that spawn fifteen other titles. Instead we have a big letdown for phans and a bucket load of confusion for newbies.

SCORE:

Reviewed by JD

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Douglas Klauba's Sketchbook

By Bryce Melville

Art is a funny thing isn’t it? It can come in many different shapes and sizes from caveman drawings to Mona Lisas and everything in between. Here’s the funny thing, with so much art out there in many different mediums, you’d think there would be a LOT of artists that I would like. Boy, you couldn’t be more wrong. See, when it comes to art in comic books I am one picky guy. When it comes to art I either hate it or love it (with the occasional artist which I don’t find brilliant, but I just find average). For me, for art to look really good it has to A) Be clean on the eyes (easy to follow what’s going on and) B) I like art which looks real. By that I mean the art looks realistic, that it almost looks like a photograph. It just brings an air or realism to story which I love. This is probably the reason “anime” and artists like Michael Turner have never really appealed to me. Take Turner for example, the guy is very popular amongst fans everywhere and he is definitely a better artist then me, but most of his work is blown way out of proportion! So where is this going you ask? Let me tell you; off the top of my head I can only name around half a dozen artists who’s art both looks clean, and is realistic; Mark Bagley, Silvestre Szilagyi, Alex Ross, Jim Lee, the Kubert brothers, and Doug Klauba. That last name is particularly important. Simply put, Doug Klauba is one of the best cover artists going around in the industry today. Since seeing his Phantom cover work for the first time a couple of years ago, I’ve been a big fan of the guy. Many artists draw men with unnaturally large muscles and women who look more plastic then human, but not Doug. Through his art Doug shows that you don’t have to draw people superficial to make them look good, a trait for which I admire him. So when I heard that he had a 70+ page book of his best work out, it was a real no brainier whether or not to buy it….

So I can remember when the parcel with the Sketchbook arrived. Like a little kid on Christmas morning I tore into the parcel, the anticipation overwhelming. After finally getting through all the tape and cardboard (I tell ya, the thing was impossible to get into!), I held the book in my hands for the first time, and was instantly overcome with awe. This is a beautifully put together book that looks and feels great. Although I would’ve preferred the cover to be something of the Phantom variety, the cover image does not disappoint. While I would not say it’s not Doug’s best piece of work, it is still a fine piece of art. The image gives off of a real sense of imagination and adventure. If this was any indication of what to expect for the next 70 pages, I would be in for a real treat…

So I open the book for the first time and I’m met with this signed hand drawn piece from Doug based on one of my favorite Phantom covers. For those who don’t know, Doug will draw a little sketch for any member of the Chronicle Chamber and Phantom Phorum message boards free of charge. It’s a great little personal touch from Doug which is very, very cool.

After a quick introduction from Doug as well as a letter he received from one of his favorite artists as a young teen, the next 60 pages are dedicated to art. Really good art I may add.

Before I bought this, I had no idea that Doug had worked on so much stuff in his career. I knew he had worked on the Phantom as well as a couple of other projects for Moonstone, but I had no idea he had drawn characters such as Batman, Superman from DC as well as some other stuff. Every new page showcases a completely different drawing from the last; one minute I’m looking at The Spider and then the next minute I’m looking at what looks like a futuristic version of the Devil! There is really a lot of variety to be found here; almost anybody will find something they like. There are only maybe one or two drawings which I’m not a fan of, but the rest are brilliant! I would love to talk about all of them, but I really don’t have that much, so instead I’ll discuss three of my favorites…

Anyone who knows me (or at least knows me pretty well) knows that I am a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. So image my surprise to see this drawing of the good old Hobbits fighting a gang of Wring Wraiths. This drawing is just superb in the way that it’s almost as if you’re along side the hobbits in their quest not to get killed. The detail here is superb and if they were coloured and weren’t on paper, you’d almost mistake them for real people. Remember that “realism” thing I was talking about?? Yeah, there it is right there. There’s really not much more I can say about this apart from that it’s very cool.

The detail shown here is great, the amount of detail put into something as insignificant as the clouds really makes it look good. It’s also not the sort of thing you would see every day. I mean, how many times do you get to see an Indian warrior holding up the sky while a biker gang drives by? I’m not sure if there’s some kind of hidden message in there or something but all I know is that it looks awesome!

It’s one of those drawings that really gets you thinking, and really makes.

And those are just samples of what is in the Sketchbook. You will encounter pirates, swamp beasts, superheroes, tin men, space men, etc, etc; the list goes on and on! You won’t be bored for even a second with that sort of line up.

Sadly, there is some criticism I have. Although there isn’t much it is there. The only real problem that I have with this book as a whole is that I would’ve liked to have seen Doug Klauba explain some of the drawings, and why they’re there. I think it would’ve been cool to see more “input” if you will from Doug with some of his personal thoughts on the drawings. The second complaint I would’ve liked to have seen parts of the book broken up into sections. There’s a section for the Phantom, but apart from that the order the images appear in feels random. I would’ve liked to have sections dividing the different drawings (i.e.: a section of Moonstone work, section of superheroes, etc). This would make it easier to find a particular drawing and make it more “structured” if you will. Apart from that this it is all good!

This book also includes some interior work Doug did for a “Moonstone Monsters” short story for Moonstone. I hadn’t seen any interior work from him (apart from the recent Project Superpowers #0 from Dynamite Entertainment) so it was good to see what he is capable off outside of cover art. All I can say is: Give this guy more interior work!!

This Sketchbook is something that really ANY fan of art work in can get something positive out off. Apart from only a few minor complains, this was a fine booklet and I will be going back to this time and time in again in the future. Costing only $20 (not including postage) this is something that any fan should have on their shelf.

So pick it up, you won’t be disappointed; I know I sure wasn’t.

*Special thanks must go out to Douglas Klauba for providing the Black and White scans. Thanks must also go out to Joe Douglas (AKA Dougy) for his enduring patience over the last couple of months!

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Frew #1504: The Great Deception, Part One

By Joe Douglas

This is something of an interesting issue. It is sure to displease some of the more tradition phans out there and as a self-contained story the issue doesn’t really deliver, however I found myself wanting to find out what happens next.

As Jim Shepherd says in introduction the idea of the Phantom giving up his life as the Ghost Who Walks is not a new one. Lee Falk expertly explored this idea in The Normal Life, a truly classic Phantom tale. In The Great Deception, however, writer Claes Reimerthi shows us that, had things been different, there would never have been a second Phantom let alone a 21st.

The story revolves mainly around the first Phantom’s wife, Marabella (who, actually, may not have been the first Phantom’s wife at all, historically speaking,) and her call to return to rule her country. She pleads with her husband to give up his life as an avenger and come with her and their sons to start a new life in Maravilloso. The Phantom agrees and begins to tie up loose ends in his old life. However, as with any Phantom story, there are many schemes and plots also involved and they have a hand in the Phantom’s final decision.

The main problem with the story is that we know for a fact that the 1st Phantom didn’t give up his role as the Ghost Who Walks. There have been 20 Phantoms since his time so already we know, in a way, how the story will end. As such the “great deception” that is refereed to in the title would have to be something very big to give it any weight, and this is the second problem. If the ‘great deception’ is in fact that the first Phantom almost gave up his role then because we already know he eventually decided not to there is no emotional investment in the story. (As this is only part one of the story we can’t be sure this actually is the deception.)This is a shame because Reimerthi could really have gone to town with this but it seems he took a road often traveled. I hope that the second issue proves me wrong on this count.

Shockingly, during the climax of the issue, the Phantom purposefully kills several soldiers. I’m sure these scenes will not sit well with some phans as I myself was taken aback by them and I’m not one to get very uppity about such things. I know some phans do not like violence in their Phantom comics so it will be interesting to see how they react to this story.

While this is one of the better historical stories from Egmont of late it still suffers from common problems of the sub-genre; 2D characters, chunky dialogue and so many strange names the reader can sometimes feel lost. I’ve never been a huge fan of Joan Boix’s art either. It seems clumsy and uninspired. Perhaps it looks nicer in the coloured Egmont editions but in Frew’s black and white books it just looks messy and cluttered.

While this is far from a perfect issue I still have a feeling of anticipation to see where the story goes. After the big set up at the beginning of the book (“It seems that parts [of the Skull Oath] have, er, been edited a bit to make for an inspirational story!” ) coupled with the quite average ending of this issue I can’t help but feel that issue two must be holding something really big in the wings.

I hope this is the case as Egmont’s historical stories have been stale for a long time and they really need something big to shake them up.

Score: 5/10

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Dusty Chronicle Review: The Secret of the Pyramids

Appearing In: Frew #968

Writer: Scott Goodall

Artist: José Casanovas

After collecting 600+ issues of Frew’s Phantom comics one tends to forget the odd story. A few days ago while going through my collection I came across issue #968 featuring the story The Secret of the Pyramids. For the life of me I could not remember this story so I decided to sit down and read it.

The Secret of the Pyramids is a fun little adventure tale. Two archaeologists make a fascinating discovery, a papyrus boat they believe to be over 3000 years old. Five years after the discovery an exhibition of the find opens at Morristown Museum. Amazingly a Good Mark pendant is among the found items. How could the Good Mark pendent be found on a 3000 year old boat when the Phantom line is only 400 years of age? Needles to say, the Phantom decides to investigate.

This tale has something of an Indiana Jones feel to it, minus the whips and Nazi’s. It also looks back into the chronicles at the adventures of the 10^th Phantom to reveal the secrets of the boat.

While Goodall’s script may not be perfect, some of the dialogue feels a bit forced and at times unnatural; the story is an enjoyable one. The Phantom makes some humorous quips about junk mail at the beginning of the story, throwing it over his shoulder for effect, only to be cheekily reprimanded by Diana for littering the jungle. The Secret of the Pyramids is a nice, comfortable tale simply written to entertain and it succeeds admirably.

One thing that really took me with this issue is Casanovas’ art. His illustration is superb. Super-detailed and full of life his drawings are something of a cross between Paul Ryan and Sy Barry. His Diana is possibly the most beautiful of any Phantom artist. Looking through my collection I could only find one other issue drawn by Casanovas; Frew #1048 featuring the story The Ghost on Flight 302. This is a shame as I’d love to see more of his work. I wonder what happened to this amazing artist and why he seemingly drew so few stories.

The Secret of the Pyramids is a great little story, full of adventure and fun. If, like me, you can not recall this tale have a dig around in your collection, it may just be in there…along with some other forgotten gems.

6/ 10

Reviewed by Joe Douglas.

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Moonstone #20 – Worth Beyond Measure

You can tell a comic is going to be good when you start chuckling by the third page into the story. Such was my experience with Moonstone’s latest issue Worth Beyond Measure.

In reading this story you can tell Mike Bullock had fun writing it. Snappy one-liners, perfect dialogue and swashbuckling action abound. It’s easy to see Mike has settled in comfortably as the newest writer of the Ghost Who Walks. This is the most fun I’ve had reading a Phantom story all year!

Guest artist Zeu brings a great sense of life and adventure to the story. Not to take away from previous Moonstone Phantom artists, Zue’s drawings are tight and flowing. His style has an amazing mix of classic Sy Barry charm and modern Stefano Caselli fun and detail. It fits the story, not to mention the world of the Phantom, perfectly. I really hope Zeu get’s some more Phantom projects soon!

One of my biggest complaints against Moonstone’s Phantom stories is how short they feel. I say “feel” because they are the standard American comic book length of 22 pages, but they always feel like they are over way too soon. With this issue, however, I felt I had read a good, full rounded, complete story. Perhaps because it was a self contained issue, perhaps because Bullock and Zeu didn’t wast a single page, panel or speech bubble, this felt like the most complete and well rounded of all of Moonstone’s on-going Phantom series.

It’s always nice to see well executed humor in a Phantom story and this issue has it in spades. The line “It’s considered bad form to attack a man from behind while he’s engaged in funeral planning” should secure this issue in the running for Story of the Year all by itself! At the very least the line should be the first of Moonstone’s own collection of Jungle Sayings.

In my mind this is proves that Moonstone’s Phantom stories just keep on getting better and better and better. Can’t wait to see what 2008 has in store for the Phantom!

5/5

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Frew #1495 – The Storm

Talk about packing in everything plus the kitchen sink! The Storm has so much going on in its 31 pages that it’s amazing it all fits together so nicely. Still, fitting together nicely is what this story does and it does it brilliantly.

Set against the backdrop of a gigantic weather storm the Phantom must face poachers, pirates, rescues a small village of children, perform a surgical operation and, along with his band of followers, survive the biggest storm to hit Bengalla in over 100 years! Not only that, a whole host of Phantom supporting cast members also make an appearance.

A story that has so much going on could easily have ended up a complete mess but writer Norman Worker fits everything together beautifully and the story flows without a single bump in the road. The dialogue is smart and interesting – no Frew translation problems here – and Georges Bess’ art compliments Worker’s script wonderfully. I really enjoy Bess’ work; his simplistic, illustrative style really gives a classic feel to the stories.

The Storm is a prime example of a Phantom story done well and is easily one of the better issues from Frew for 2007.

4/5

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Fantomet #20/2007 - DOGAI: THE ROAD TO POWER

By Paul Jonassen

The idea is simple, but excellent: Tell the life story of Dogai
Singh, leader of the Singh Brotherhood and all-round
eeeeeeeevil guy. With the first appearance of Kabai Singh
since 1936, a quick glimpse of Sala the aviatrix, and the kind of
mysterious, dangerous, yet kind-hearted Phantom that Falk
used to write in his early career, this is poised to be a fan
favourite in almost every way (did I mention Hans Lindahl is
drawing?).

It’s been a very good year for Egmont, much thanks to the
tireless Claes Reimerthi. It’s amazing how one person can write
so much without any noticeable drop in quality. Quite the
opposite, as I think that the Swedish writer is easily delivering
some of his most interesting work ever at the moment, being responsible for writing the stories about Bengalla’s continued political evolvement. This
adventure doesn’t really touch upon that subject, however, but instead focuses on telling a
tight, imaginative story that touches as much upon Dogai’s life as the way the Singh
Brotherhood is built (man, are they a treacherous bunch of people).

The story follows something that has been pointed out as an increasing trend in Egmont
stories: The Phantom only appears very briefly, seen through the eyes of Dogai and the
Singh-pirates. I personally think this is a cool and refreshing thing, as the Phantom is one
of few fictional characters that have the potential to be at his very best when seen through
the eyes of the ones that fear him. He’s not called The Ghost Who Walks for nothing, you
know. We don’t even learn which Phantom appears, but I would guess it’s the 19th, 20th, or
possibly both. Nevertheless, it all adds to the mystery of the character.

I have to come back to Lindahl… The man is pretty much the most talented man drawing
the Phantom today, and, dare I say it, he keeps improving. Every drawing is full of details,
and it's easy to see the man absolutely loves his job.

On the negative side, the long overused cliché of the Phantom passing out after being hit
in the back of his head also makes an appearance… How many times can the exact same
thing happen to the same guy? He is supposed to be a very intelligent man, but man, does
this make him look a lot more stupid, walking into the same trap in what feels like almost
every episode. The writers have to think of something new now, maybe him actually losing
a fight with an antagonist for a change (oh, and while we’re at it, please get rid of the thing
where the bad guys trip over and falls on their own knife/sword/gun/helmet too).

Another minus is that we have to wait a few issues for the second and final part. Although
These things work so much better when they are published without the long breaks in
between. Although this story has a subtler, while still exciting, cliffhanger than what is
common, it’s nevertheless slightly disappointing having to wait until Fantomet issue 23
arrives. Still, the next issue will contain the continuation of the Bengallan Presidential
election, so who am I to complain.

These nitpicks aside, there are no real problems in this story. Reimerthi has managed to fit
in an awful lot of information and events in these 30 pages or so, without it ever looking the
slightest bit crammed.
This is a terrific tale in almost every way, and I can’t wait to see how it ends (or is that
“begins”?).

5/5