by Bob Bruno
Final Issue. As the Defenders of the Earth (yeah, you heard me) beat back Ming’s forces across the globe, the Phantom prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to close the portals between Mongo & Earth permanently.
Warning: Major spoilers for the issue follow.
Final Issue. As the Defenders of the Earth (yeah, you heard me) beat back Ming’s forces across the globe, the Phantom prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to close the portals between Mongo & Earth permanently.
Warning: Major spoilers for the issue follow.
Jeff Parker and Marc Laming successfully close out their mini-series with the same level of high-stakes adventure & fun with which it began. Parker rewards his readership with exciting action beats with his quickly assembled cast turned effective fighting force, successfully affording each member their individual moments to shine. If there was ever any danger of this series concluding by the numbers, this issue delivers an ending, unexpected in more ways than one, placing at least two of its principal cast members in surprising positions, which won’t be spoiled here. As a side note, it was also a breath of fresh air to see our heroes finish out this series without resorting to bickering and infighting, such is the tiring and fashionable troupe for groups these days.
Bringing with him a bevy of updates and ideas, Jeff Parker continues his modernisation of these strip characters, while firmly respecting their pulp heritage. In this issue we learn the ageing man behind the Phantom’s mask isn’t named Kit Walker, but a mystery man who assumed the mantle after the previous Phantom fell in battle. While staunch traditionalists may have a problem with this concept regardless of its execution, my only quibble is that this old, grizzled Phantom has been so damn cool in this mini-series, whether it be aiding an elephant in bringing down Ming’s thunder lizard; injecting pain medication to stay in the fight; or defending Sydney harbour with a bazooka, this story would’ve been the perfect swansong for the 21st Phantom. Some of these moments depicted feel so iconic, and so electric, that for example, the Phantom muttering as he shoots himself up, “I’m not cheating it, like Mandrake,” has now entered my personal pop-culture vernacular for any time I take some form of medication.
I sincerely struggled while trying to select artwork to punctuate this review, as Marc Laming has provided so many fantastic pieces in this issue it’s that hard to choose. Laming’s skill is obvious when it comes to capturing the grit and physicality of action/motion, eg. When Flash Gordon and Mandrake run down a pair of Ming’s Beastmen in a convertible. But he also deserves high credit for being able to give and convey the proper emotional weight to the bigger moments, and the quieter moments, for example: just as he boards the Z-plane before the final battle, the Phantom realises he’s looking upon the Skullcave, for perhaps the last time. The Phantom doesn’t even make eye contact with the reader in this panel; it’s an interesting and effective choice on Laming’s part which indeed, adds to the power of the scene.
As this series ends, given the open position rife with story potential it leaves each of its characters, I look forward to whatever else Dynamite has in store for them. And if his amazing Flash Gordon #1 is any indication (also on sale this week), Jeff Parker’s not done with these characters yet either. Read Kings Watch #5 everyone, you won’t be disappointed.
As this series ends, given the open position rife with story potential it leaves each of its characters, I look forward to whatever else Dynamite has in store for them. And if his amazing Flash Gordon #1 is any indication (also on sale this week), Jeff Parker’s not done with these characters yet either. Read Kings Watch #5 everyone, you won’t be disappointed.
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