“I hate when my neck gets itchy.”
The Phantom #15
Moonstone (2007)
“Walker’s Line” part 2
WRITER: Mike Bullock
ARTIST: Carlos Magno
COLORIST: Bob Pedroza
COVER ART: Joe Prado, Carlos Magno, & Rod Reis
LETTERER: Troy Peteri
EDITOR: Joe Gentile
The Phantom continues his story to young Kit. That wack upside the head cleared his head a bit and the Phantom takes down the bad guys. On the way to the hospital he sees a wheelchair-bound girl, a victim of crossfire. Then he sees the gang leader about to kill his aunt and the Phantom goes into rage mode again, only just avoiding killing the gang leader when the words of his father comes to his mind, reminding him that the Phantom doesn’t kill. But the job was done. His family and hometown are safe. The gang is busted and the leader and many of his men in jail, some bearing the skull mark. The Phantom does not kill, but he’ll kick your butt just the same. The cover even matches the story inside instead of those pin-up covers Moonstone did on this series so often.
What they got right: Man Of Steel take note. This is how you tell a story about a hero not killing without having him kill. There’s also some good fights, and the Phantom does take some hits. We also see what gangs are really like and their impact on the community. There isn’t enough of that. They’re either over-the-top or we’re supposed to root for someone who isn’t forced into this life.
What they got wrong: I really don’t have any complaints.
Recommendation: This was a good two-part Phantom story. Highly recommended.
