Amac Productions

Superhero Sunday

The skintight suit, the whited-out eyes those were staples and blueprints for superheroes to come. Lee Falk created a hero who fought against greed, piracy, and evil in all its forms. That is the very core of The Phantom.

This year boosts the 90th anniversary of the famed hero. In honor of that, I’ve got a few things up my sleeve – however – for this fine Sunday we’re going to talk about Mad Cave Comics.

Over the years, The Phantom’s rights have been passed from publisher to publisher. The Ghost Who Walks has even done a stint at both Marvel and DC Comics.

To this day, his comic is still published daily in newspapers around the world. Which were written by the creator himself until his death and even for a bit after. As his wife took his unfinished and unpublished strips, completing them for the comic.

He has a long history of publication among various publishers, groups, and places.

Currently – however – Mad Cave Comics has been tapped to carry on the legacy of The Phantom.

Mad Cave Comics dipped their toes into the water with free comic day early last year, giving a sneak peek of their version of the character. Later on in September 2025, the first official issue dropped of the five-issue mini-series.

Mad Cave hoped to find new fans for the hero and delight current fans with the dazzling superhero in all his charm with the mini-series.

I’ve read the first three issues so far, but I truly want to focus on Issue #1.

While the covers leave little to be desired as far as I’m concerned. Each of them reflects such a different style than what you find within the book that it’s a bit jarring. It’s either too comic book styled in an overly simple way or it’s too realistic for a comic that never delves into realistic styles. I’m not sure what they were trying to do.

However, once the book is opened – everything changes.

You enter into the world of the Bengalla Jungle right in the middle of the action as The Phantom fends off some evil-doers. With Kit Walker AKA the 21st Phantom telling the story to his wife while she patches him up.

Immediately, we get a sense of her personality and hers as well.

They tease each other.

Kit is having a good laugh with his wife, enjoying telling tall tales of his adventures. Which is rather amazing to me, because I’ve read some of the novels that published by Avon. In those stories, all of The Phantoms are amazing storytellers, regaling their descendants with tales of each other’s exploits or writing them in the mass of records they keep.

This is a favorite little detail that tells new fans and old alike who Kit Walker, the current Phantom is.

He rescues people who are trying to kill him. Does the right thing. Enjoys his time spent with his wife – who looks as capable as he is. Lives in a cave. Spends most of his time wearing a purple suit. This short scene even tells you his nicknames as well.

This comic is a love letter to the original work, and all the character stands for.

The tribe he protects, who protect him in kind.

Their leader, who is his childhood best friend.

His animal companions who follow his every command.

Diana Palmer – his wife – most trusted confidant, and someone as equally dangerous, cunning, and intelligent as he.

Marked throughout the story as he wonders about when he makes it home to his wife. What will she say about his latest bumps and scraps? She’ll be worried. She always is. But she trusts him too.

I love this version of Guran as well.

There’s a movie from 1996 starring Billy Zane as The Phantom. His childhood friend, Guran is part of the story there as well. Which – not to knock the movie, because I love it – does give into some stereotypes. Here, Guran is depicted as a modern man of his tribe. Wearing his comfy shirts, a clever man, while worrying for the health of his father to his friend. He’s got layers and character and he’s more than just a random tribesman in the jungle.

They all are.

They are his family.

The Phantom’s. Guran. Diana.

And someone is threatening their home.

Which is bad enough itself, but for it to come from the Singh Brotherhood? Oh dear.

Stand back, people. The Phantom is not going to be pleased with these guys invading the people under his protection.

If you’re unfamiliar with his previous storylines or series, the Singh Brotherhood are basically his Lex Luthor or Joker. They’re the big bads for The Phantom.

Though I’d argue, they’re almost worse.

Lex Luthor. The Joker. They’re merely one man. Stop them, everything they built crumples.

Unlike the Singh Brotherhood. It’s made of many men, joining throughout the years since they killed the father of the first Phantom. Lead by the Singh family, just as the Walkers have The Phantom.

Even if the leader is gone, someone else takes his place. It carries on.

Just like The Phantom.

Overall, there is nothing about this comic I don’t love.

Well, except the covers. I do not understand what they were trying to do. Were they trying to capture all the years and styles and changes he’s been through as a character? Were they just trying to see what sticks? Variant covers for the stake of variant covers?

Could you be more cohesive with the next run?

If the rumors are true, there is to be another mini-series about The Phantom dealing with his other foes, The Skyband.

Honestly, Mad Cave Comics did an amazing job capturing the essence of the character.

He’s a hero. Through and through. He saves people even when they don’t deserve it or while they’re trying to kill him. He’s completely smitten for the woman in his life. He’s good to all animals of the Bengalla Jungle. He has a best friend he tries to be there in his time of need as much as he can.

He spends time with those he calls family and they with him. They’re unafraid – in spite of the danger – to stand up against evil because that’s what they believe in. Because they believe in The Phantom.

Not a legend or a myth or the fabled immortal man protecting the jungle. No, the real man who trains in the middle of their village, plays the with children, visits the elderly to check in on them, and is an actual real person.

They know he can die.

They are the few in the world who do.

Yet they believe.

In him.

In what he stands for.

That he will save them. Despite the odds. Because of the odds. Simply because he must. It is the right thing to do. Fight greed and piracy in all its forms.

It is his oath. And the oath of the 20 Phantoms who came before him.

If you’ve never read or know nothing about The Phantom, this comic book is the perfect place to start. Getting you into his lore and history as well as his character with a quick simple issue that leaves you wondering how he’s going to save the day.

From the moment it ended, I knew I needed to get the next one. And the next. And the next. Then beg Mad Cave Comics to keep going and create a full series.

I’m truly excited to see where this goes and I hope there are many more Phantom fans who are excited by this new series as well as hoping that many more new fans will join us in cheering this character on for another 90 years. After all, we know he’s going to be around – he is ‘immortal’ after all.

Thanks for reading! Look forward to seeing you next Sunday! If you like this, consider becoming a supporter!

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