Learning the secret art of punching from the masters.
The Phantom #4
Moonstone (2004)
“Curse Of The Phantom” part 2
WRITER: Ben Raab
ARTIST: Nick Derrington
COLORISTS: Ken Wolak & Dawn Groszewski
COVER ART: Doug Klauba
LETTERER: Jeff Eckelberry
EDITORS: Joe Gentile & Garrett Anderson
As the Phantom tracks Kua, the anti-Phantom has found the Skull Cave and kidnaps Diana, hoping to end the Phantom line. This leads to a confrontation with the Phantom, who prepares drugs to knock out the other Wasaka tribesmen. During the fight Diana is freed and hits Kua with his own hallucinogen. Believing he’s failed, the current Kua sacrifices himself in the hopes his unborn son will take over the mantle and try again. Except this child is a girl, and given Kua’s outfit that’s going to be pretend to be immortal than the Phantom.
What they got right: I still really like the idea of a true opposite to the Phantom, a force of villainy that carries the mantle from generation to generation to pretend it’s the same immortal man. And the conclusion is quite satisfying.
What they got wrong: Part of me does wish we could get more with the character but that’s unlikely. And despite claiming he knows all the Phantom’s secrets he must not know there already is a Kit Walker to take up the mantle in the next generation. And Diana does mention having children (including Heloise) so this isn’t a story set before then.
Recommended: This was a really good two-part tale. Worth tracking down for Phantom fans but still a good read for more casual readers.
BW Media Spotlight 