THE PHANTOM #1 – New Comic Review

The Phantom #1, by Mad Cave Studios on 9/24/25, wastes no time dumping Kit Walker into a burning airplane and a firefight with smugglers who hit as hard as the Bangallan jungle humidity demands.

Credits:

• Writer: Ray Fawkes
• Artist: Russell Olson
• Colorist: Russell Olson
• Letterer: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Artist: Freddie Williams II (cover A)
• Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
• Release Date: September 24, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of THE PHANTOM #1:

First Impressions:

From the first panel, this Phantom charges out swinging, never letting up for a second, but the story keeps one eye glued to the jungle shadows, never letting the reader feel too safe. The urgency ramps up faster than a pilot’s heartbeat after a crash, yanking readers from steamy training drills to imminent disaster in a blink. It’s riveting, snappy, and packed with just enough dry humor to keep you grinning even as things go sideways.

Plot Analysis:

When Kit Walker, the Phantom, barely survives a rescue near a fiery plane crash in the depths of Bangalla, his knack for survival is matched only by his wit. He parries gunfire from a dazed smuggler, saving lives despite the looming explosion, then trades wry remarks with Diana, who demands a proper retelling of the chaos.

The narrative whisks us to the heart of the Bandar village, where Walker is adored by children and revered as both protector and legend. Guran, his lifelong friend, asks for Walker’s help as the village chief grows gravely ill, sparking heartfelt moments sandwiched between playful memories and foreboding shifts in the air.

A toxic cloud from the crash site drags the Phantom into the jungle, where survival instincts and suspicions flare. While the villagers hope for safety, Walker suspects something nastier than simple bad luck: heroin stashed among wreckage means trouble’s coming, and fast.

Explosive military helicopters descend, led by Asif Singh of the notorious Singh Brotherhood, whose ruthlessness makes even seasoned jungle warriors sweat. Singh’s arrival shatters the peace, threatening the Bandars with violence and forced negotiations, while Walker hatches a plan and leaps into action, all before the sun fully rises.

Story

Ray Fawkes fires off dialogue like a well-oiled revolver, keeping conversations brisk and dripping in character. The interplay between Kit and Diana zip-lines from action to romance, giving the issue its heartbeat. Fawkes laces urgency through every scene, balancing mythic gravitas with sharp banter as effortlessly as the Phantom balances bullets and bandages

Art

Russell Olson splashes the jungle with thick lines and muddy hues, favoring mood over precision. Panels snarl with kinetic clutter that sometimes muddies the story’s flow, tripping over ambitious perspectives. Backgrounds blur just when the action begs for clarity, leaving readers squinting to catch details that should hit hard.

Characters

Kit Walker shines as a jungle legend wrapped in modern anxieties, blending steely resolve with weary humor. Diana Palmer matches him moment for moment with wit and warmth, while Guran brings the grounded wisdom expected of a chief’s heir. Even the villains get their turn — Asif Singh is cold, calculating, and utterly believable, a fitting foil whose presence warps every calm moment into coiled tension.

Positives

Ray Fawkes’s writing cuts right to the bone, packing scenes with emotional punch and snarky humor that never over-cooks the melodrama. Characters leap off the page. Kit Walker is more than myth, Diana is sharp and charismatic, and the villainous Singh Brotherhood delivers menace without cartoonish flair. The pacing sprints, each page a fresh hit of suspense.

Negatives

The art tries hard but stumbles, leaving action scenes murky and key faces lost in blotted backgrounds, so impact fizzles where intensity was needed most. Moments meant to strike visually get lost in the fray and details hide in the brush, forcing readers to piece things together more than they should. Pacing lunges forward in fits, speeding through dramatic beats that deserve a breather instead of a jolt.

Art Samples:

Final Thoughts:

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If Russell Olson’s art had sharper vision and the pacing learned when to hit the brakes, THE PHANTOM #1 would be a knockout. Instead, it’s a thrill ride with a cracked windshield. The writing is fast and ferocious, the heroes and villains memorable, but some panels need rescuing just as badly as the villagers do. Grab it for the witty heroics and jungle mayhem, but keep one eye open for what gets lost in the leaves.

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