The Phantom: Valley of the Golden Men

    (Moonstone, 2004)
™ and ©

The Moonstone Phantom comics have, frankly, been of uneven quality, but this one is top–notch. First, it starts with a wonderfully pulpy title; then, readers are given a rare chance to see Marvel writer Tom DeFalco working outside the Marvel universe.

He clearly “gets” the subtle character of the character and hits one out of the park with a story that has absolutely everything a classic Phantom story should have. There’s: The Phantom’s wife Diana in peril again; a member of the villainous Singh family; a beautiful wicked woman; and, naturally, plenty of lightning-fast action undercut with some of The Phantom’s deliciously dry quips.

But DeFalco’s more than ably assisted by the wonderful art of Lou Manna, who apparently thinks the classic character has too long been cramped inside tiny comic–strip panels. Here, The Phantom’s gigantic figure, arms crossed on his chest, frequently fills an entire page. The only complaint about the story is that The Phantom never gets to throw down with the Conan the Barbarian–looking king of the Golden Men.

— S.A. Bennett
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Cover Price: $6.95
1 copy available for $8.00 		Tom DeFalcoLou Manna