FCBD — ‘The Phantom’ #0 Resurrects The Ghost Who Walks For More Pulse Pounding Pulp Goodness

Welcome to the table,

As a kid I had a ring emblazoned with the symbol of “The Ghost Who Walks.”

This was not some plastic thing that could easily be worn down over time. This hefty circlet stamped with a stylized skull was made of some kind of heavy metal that even when worn day in and day out by a kid who was delighted to get something like this from a 7-11 never seemed to wear down and that was just fine by me.

Even as a child I knew I would never be as cool as Kit Walker. This guy lived on an island, could fight all manner of beast and bad guy, and was able to move with a silent step that would make the Batman himself second guess if he heard something. Even in a bright purple costume The Phantom was one of those pulp icons that once I discovered him became a part of my lexicon and left his lasting mark on my imagination and creative process to this day.

It comes as no small delight I got to read Mad Cave Studios Free Comic Book Day offering of The Phantom #0. Written by Ray Fawkes with art by Russell Olson and letters by Taylor Esposito, The Phantom created by Lee Falk back in 1936 was at its peak read by something close to 100 million people a day. This is a character with staying power and an indomitable spirt that speaks to the adventures nature inherent in the timeless pulp stories I know and love.

This framed story starts with The Phantom journaling about his day. It transports us from the Phantoms library layer, a thing I so desperately wanted as a kid, to a jungle environment where poachers are killing tigers for the pure exploitative greed of it all.

Ray Fawkes’ narrative is dreamlike and nearly flawless in its execution across the page. Each dialog box brings you deeper and deeper into the mind of the man who dawns the mask and rights wrongs with justice in his heart.

Russell Olson’s art is nothing short of a masterclass in how to capture the classic tone of a newspaper comic on the beautiful comic book page. It’s truly a thing of wonder Russell is able to achieve as each shadow feels moody and each page turn feels laced with the heat of the balmy jungle biome complete with strange bird calls and stalking shadows ready to sink their teeth into those who are caught unaware.

The messaging is one of morality. Don’t kill for sport and greed. It’s simple and yet in these troubling times it is such a breath of fresh air. There is a moment where a tiger takes out some truly bad men and it’s a level of cathartic justice I did not know I was in need of until I saw the well designed panels and brilliant narrative pacing coming together to set up the fatal falling action.

The Phantom is an icon and those who take up the task of telling his tale must truly understand the story they are trying to tell. The team on this book delivers pulpy pulse pounding adventure panel after panel and I for one can’t wait until the next issue is in my hands.

Until next time, The Phantom’s cold fury chills even, Tiger’s blood. This is just a saying to some … to others … those who truly believe … we know the truth about the Ghost That Walks.