THE PHANTOM #2 – New Comic Review

The Phantom #2, by Mad Cave Studios on 10/29/25, proves jungle heat simmers and tensions flare as negotiations unravel beneath the threat of the Singh Brotherhood’s arrival.

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: October 29, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of THE PHANTOM #2:

First Impressions:

The jungle fog is thick, and so is the danger. This issue wastes no time tossing Kit and the Bandars back into peril. From the opening panel, the comic lands right in a tense standoff, with every word sharp enough to slice through the steamy air. It’s a suspenseful powder keg, ready to pop.

Recap:

Kit Walker, the Phantom, survived a blazing plane crash and a hail of gunfire in the Bangallan jungle, outwitting smugglers and saving lives mere moments before catastrophe struck. Back at the Bandar village, he’s celebrated as a legend but burdened by new threats. Guran seeks his help as the village chief falls ill, and the peace is shattered by the ruthless Asif Singh and his Singh Brotherhood, intent on recouping lost heroin with violence and intimidation. Kit must act fast, as the jungle fills with danger and negotiations teeter between survival and chaos.

Plot Analysis:

The comic opens on a village in dire straits, trapped by the unforgiving presence of Asif Singh and his heavily armed Brotherhood soldiers. Singh, convinced the Bandars are hiding his lost shipment, dials up threats and demands restitution regardless of their actual innocence. Kit Walker, blending into the jungle shadows, studies the mercenaries’ routines and weaknesses, sizing up every tactical advantage as the tension ratchets sky-high.

Guran, ever the voice of levelheadedness, enters nerve-wracking negotiations with Singh, trading barbs while desperately seeking protection and medicine for his ailing father, the chief. Singh is dismissive, referencing the Bandars as mere property, and sets his men loose to scavenge the village for drugs and valuables. The villagers are forced to play along, but defiance simmers just beneath the surface as Guran pushes back with wit and subtlety.

Kit stalks the grounds, dismantling Singh’s patrols one by one, staying unseen while calculating when to strike in order to prevent bloodshed. Tension escalates as Singh’s goons search for medical supplies, supplies the Bandars need to survive, not just bargain for. Kit’s internal monologue reveals mounting pressure and the high stakes: every second matters, every decision could swing the balance between chaos and containment.

The issue crescendos as Guran leverages legend and local folklore – the Phantom’s unyielding shadow over Bangalla – to disrupt Singh’s sense of control. As the Brotherhood tightens its grip, a warning is issued: these jungle depths do not forgive trespass, and Singh may soon meet the true, ancient power of the Phantom. The story ends on a cliffhanger, promising a dramatic reckoning in the next issue.

Story

Ray Fawkes delivers lean, brisk dialogue with tension pulsing through every sentence. The internal voice of Kit Walker is sardonic yet focused, and Guran’s nervy wit under siege feels authentic. The negotiation sequences snap with urgency, though sometimes the pacing feels a slice too rushed from one beat to the next, sacrificing a bit of gravity for forward momentum.

Art

Russell Olson crafts steamy jungle environs with bold lines and a gritty palette that suits the story’s mood. Faces are expressive in tense moments, and panel layouts convey a claustrophobic atmosphere. At times, background details get lost in muddiness, and motion-heavy sequences can trip up clarity, leaving readers guessing who’s where amid the dust-up.

Characters

Kit Walker reprises his role as a mythic hero burdened with difficult decisions, making every tactical move count. Guran steps up, showing steely resolve and quick thinking under fire. Singh is a clear foil: menacing and calculated, though sometimes more archetypal than nuanced in his villainy. The villagers, caught between hope and despair, add human stakes to the brewing conflict.

Positives

The writing is sharp, balancing suspense and wit without veering into melodrama. Interpersonal standoffs deliver genuine tension, especially in Guran’s negotiation scenes. The jungle setting is evocative and atmospheric, giving a vibrant stage for every desperate move. When Kit springs into action, the comic grips tight and doesn’t let go.

Negatives

Art struggles in busy action scenes, sometimes losing important beats in a scramble of lines and shadows. The pacing moves too quickly in critical moments, glossing over dramatic pauses that should land harder. Side characters, while serviceable, mostly remain in the background without meaningful depth or presence in the plot.

Art Samples:

Final Thoughts:

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THE PHANTOM #2 cranks up the jungle stakes with more grit and peril, losing a bit of clarity in the chase but landing plenty of hits where it counts. If Kit Walker ever felt untouchable, this story makes him sweat, juggling legend status and split-second survival under the gun.

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