When a violent gang of smugglers stubbles on an idyllic Bandar village, the peace that the Phantom has brought to the African nation of Bangalla will suddenly shatter. It will take all of the Phantom’s many skills — and allies — to restore it. The Phantom #1 returns almost 90 years after his debut with a new series and a new publisher and it’s… a rough start.

Written by Ray Fawkes, the Phantom is back! Created by Lee Falks in 1936, the character has had starts, restarts, movies, and more over the decades since his debut. The latest series feels like it attempts to mix up some of that history as far as style and delivery, giving a somewhat pulp adventure debut that drops readers into the action. The first issue revolves around a crashed plane, packed with drugs, and the owner and gang who want it back. It builds things up to a clash between drug dealers and a village with The Phantom there to help save the day. In other words, it’s a rather predictable story that has some pulp adventure aspects to it but offers little that’s new, different, or all that exciting.

Fawkes’ narrative is interesting with narration that bounces between first and third person for a reading experience that feels a bit odd and stilted at times. The Phantom recounts his initial encounter with a crashed plane to Diana as he gets patched up, generally dumping readers into the action. Things are generally explained enough so readers can understand what’s going on, who matters, and get the general details though specifics aren’t one for this issue. If you want an origin, this isn’t it. Instead, there’s fights, threats, and a cliffhanger ending. All of it is pretty standard for this type of comic mining the classic style of it all with few updates.

The art is decent. Russell Olson is joined by Taylor Esposito on the lettering and the look of the character and comic has a bit more of a Chris Samnee vibe to it than the classic pulp style. It looks good and the action is entertaining. But, the art also gives it a bit of a playful feel to it, diminishing the danger of the various situations. The style would be great for a more swashbuckling, ancient temple, dangerous traps type of story. But, drug dealers, and threats of mass murder doesn’t quite fit the style.

The Phantom #1 isn’t bad but it also is rather odd. The narrative focus seems to jump around a bit and the story overall doesn’t deliver much that’s new. It also doesn’t lean into its classic pulp vibes enough instead, it just kind of is. A find comic to read but when there’s so much out there now, it doesn’t deliver anything new or exciting to stand out.

Story: Ray Fawkes Art: Russell Olson Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Story: 6.5 Art: 7.0 Overall: 6.5 Recommendation: Pass

Mad Cave Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle