Amac Productions

I loved this comic.

Honestly, the only thing in the world that could have made this comic better would have been a full series rather than just a one-shot style.

I spent the first few pages just dying to see Sala. Because she had to be here.

She had to. She’s the leader of the Sky Band. Isn’t she? Do I have the lore wrong? No. Do I?

Then I settled into the story unfolding on the pages before me and I forgot entirely that I was waiting for the character I knew was somewhere in these pages to arrive. Instead, I was delighted by how amazingly they captured what The Phantom is.

Who he is.

Or rather – the legend he is.

The first person in the sky band he goes after is probably my favorite one he catches. Because he doesn’t hurt her. Not really. He doesn’t kill her or stop her. He simply brandishes her with his ring. With the mark of The Phantom.

A mark known to many throughout the world. As a sign, a symbol that you are an enemy of The Phantom.

Helping you in any way, is crossing The Phantom. It will be his wrath upon them. And there are countless legends about The Phantom. Many sounding outrageous or impossible. A mythical being. Someone who cannot die no matter how many times he’s killed.

Having read his past comics and books, this is what he uses to his advantage more often than not. The collective reputation that he and his family have built through 400-some-odd years.

Imagine how many simple tales have been twisted being told through the generations. Instead of fighting ten guys, it became 50, a hundred, a thousand, and then some as the tales grew over the years. His ancestors have never been above smoke and mirrors to prove a point or using legends to scare people.

His ring is one facet of this legend.

His skull mark means that this person has crossed The Phantom and they now must live with the cost of that. They may be alive, but they will have no life. No aid. No allies. All of it ripped away.

Which – if you ask me – is a fate worse than death.

The next members of the Sky Band know he’s coming, but it changes nothing. He’s relentless in his pursuit. Never stopping. Never giving up. Like a ghost who won’t stop haunting you.

He’s smart and diligent. Maybe there are people smarter than him. However, there’s nothing he won’t do to ensure the safety of his people. Even making a deal with one of the Sky Band members.

While Sala is probably certain that she’s pulled one over The Phantom by escaping his wrath relatively unscathed, he’s going to be watching her from now on. Whether she likes it or not, she has his attention. The people truly responsible have been punished and his job is done for now.

However, that does not mean he won’t be keeping an eye on Sala as he points out to his wife at the end of the comic. He can always stop by and check in on her.

He knows her face.

While to her, he’s still a ghost.

A crazed legend in a purple costume who tracked and systematically took out the other members of the Sky Band. Regardless, of what Sala wants or thinks, there’s no way in the world she’s going to cross him again.

At least, not if she can help it.

Sala is a fairly intelligent and seemingly self-serving person. Able to ascertain that her boss wasn’t getting out of this and saw an opportunity to get herself out of it. If I were her, I’d take this chance and run to other parts of the world. Far from The Phantom and the home he’s sought hard to protect from the outsiders who trespassed.

Though, I suspect he has other plans for Sala if he can manage it.

Maybe even turn her into a better person. Or an ally.

He clearly saw something in her during this adventure. Enough to make a deal with her. Even though he claims he didn’t have a lot of options. He chooses that option for a reason.

For that reason, I do truly hope we get to see Sala again.

Because once she did arrive on the page, I was supremely excited to see that they were making her this sort of anti-hero. I do not remember if this was a choice in the comics or the novels, but it was in the movie which brought me to this superhero in the first place. I was really hoping they kept some version of that.

Because I love that The Phantom doesn’t operate entirely in black and white.

He recognizes that some people will never change and that’s what his ring is for. To allow the world to see the awful person for who they really are. While also understanding that some people can change if they wish to. They just need the right push.

Very nice.

Very much want more.

Which there will be! In June! I’m super excited for more of The Phantom and whatever else Mad Cave Comics has up their sleeves because these have been stellar outings!

Thanks for reading! Please consider supporting!

Spread the love and read on!