In KISS: PHANTOM OBSESSION #1, available from Dynamite Comics on August 11th, 2021, KISS is invited to perform at a private concert hosted by an enigmatic tech mogul. They don’t know that the concert is part of a test to unlock the true power of the world’s greatest rock band.
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The Details
- Written By: Ian Edginton
- Art By: Celor
- Colors By: Valentina Pinto
- Letters By: Troy Peteri
- Cover Art By: Jae Lee, June Chung
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: August 11, 2021
Was It Good?
KISS comics are always an odd bird to figure out. They’re typically some version of science fiction or supernatural horror involving the titular band, and as weird as combining KISS and sci-fi or horror sound, they’re never, ever dull. This new story is no exception.
It’s too early to tell what’s really going on this issue regarding whether this is horror, sci-fi, or a little bit of both. But I like the concept and the ideas presented.
However, it’s the art and the dialog, more specifically the lettering, where this first issue falls short.
The dialog is clunky and doesn’t read well. Again, it may be editing errors in the script itself or problems translating the dialog from script to word balloon, but there are too many punctuation problems and typos.
Typos and wording blunders could be chalked up to miscommunication or a rushed job. However, the art in this issue is another matter altogether. It’s not the worst art I’ve ever seen, but it looks closer to an indie sketchbook than something coming out of a top publisher.
The linework is sketchy, inconsistent, and in some cases, unfinished. The coloring is not blended well around shapes and contours, and in most of the backgrounds, smudged.
The net effect is a comic with interesting concepts that read poorly, looks bad, and doesn’t represent the world’s greatest band in a flattering light.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
KISS is invited to perform a private concert for enigmatic tech billionaire, Darius Cho. During the private jet ride to the venue, the band notices the windows are screens designed to hide where they’re really going, and the jet is under constant surveillance with hidden cameras.
When the band arrives at their secret destination, they can tell something is fishy with Cho and his “party.” The island is revealed to not only be Cho’s home but his secret research and development facility for all his unique inventions.
Without more details about whatever Cho is really up to, the band plays along until they can figure out what’s happening. During the concert, Cho has KISS secretly monitored for their energy signatures where he believes something special will happen at the height of their music.
We conclude the issue with Cho’s suspicions confirmed, a test to measure the strength of KISS’s power, and Cho putting his foot down in a BIG way.
Final Thoughts
KISS: PHANTOM OBSESSION #1 has an interesting premise and plants some “what was that?!?” seeds to build curiosity, but the poor dialog and sub-par art really hurt this first issue. This is a recommended buy only for die-hard KISS fans.
Score: 5.5/10
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