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The Last Phantom #1
The Last Phantom Vol. 1
Forget everything you know about the Phantom as Dynamite, Alex Ross, and Scott Beatty present the ultimate tale of loss, redemption, and revenge! This is The Last Phantom! Redesigned with the utmost care by Alex Ross - who also provides incredible covers for the series (along with variants by Blackest Night artist Joe Prado), the visuals of the Phantom pay homage to the old, while presenting the Ghost Who Walks for a whole new audience. And what better writer than Scott Beatty to enhance the vision, having created a fan-favorite and acclaimed take on another classic character in the Dynamite stable - Buck Rogers! Featuring the Dynamite debut of Eduardo Ferigato, The Last Phantom is the latest must-read from Dynamite! Collects the the first six-issue of the ongoing series, with a complete cover gallery.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 5, 2021
Transplanting pulp heroes into modern times is fraught with pitfalls, and The Last Phantom avoids them all. No cringy PC-speak or politics, no pervasive irony or sarcasm, just old-time adventure with new-fangled enemies.
April 28, 2018
This story plays out like a bad action movie. Unfortunately the plot and dialogue match the 90's style pretty effectively. The main character dodges bullets like nobody's business, while enemies and friendlies alike drop around him. Then there's the one-liners. God, the one-liners... The flashbacks with his training don't help at all either. Between all the punches leaving marks of his signed rings there is some pretty confusing preparation taking place. At least the covers are cool.
Kitridge Walker organizes a successful fundraiser for Bengali using his Walkabout Foundation, but what he doesn't know is that there is a coup in the works. One that has him and his family as targets. Peter Quisling, Kit's right-hand man, is the coup leader. The presumed death of the Bengali prime minister Michael Mgebe sparks all-out war in the country.
Kitridge Walker organizes a successful fundraiser for Bengali using his Walkabout Foundation, but what he doesn't know is that there is a coup in the works. One that has him and his family as targets. Peter Quisling, Kit's right-hand man, is the coup leader. The presumed death of the Bengali prime minister Michael Mgebe sparks all-out war in the country.
March 30, 2018
The Phantom is a hero that really needs a good reboot, that can deal with how dated and implicitly colonialist Falk's classic character is. This feels like a generic gritty reboot comic book revenge story with Phantom branding (especially with the ). And as another reviewer said, I feel this Phantom is disrespecting the legacy of his forefathers stood for with his particularly violent/nihilist MO - this could have been interesting, but from what I've seen here I don't think Scott Beatty is a skilled enough writer to pull that off. The villain of the piece is so generic that I roll my eyes with him all the time.
The only Phantom comics I've enjoyed are Lee Falk's original strip serials, and the Scandinavian comics from Team Fantomen. This hasn't broken that trend.
The only Phantom comics I've enjoyed are Lee Falk's original strip serials, and the Scandinavian comics from Team Fantomen. This hasn't broken that trend.
October 18, 2011
Besides the excellent Alex Ross covers there wasn't anything else worthy of praise from publisher Dynamite Entertainment and their first collection of Phantom stories. Dynamite recently gained the rights to publish Phantom stories from the licensee King's Features, but the comics were in quite capable hands by its former publisher Moonstone and the talent they had hired. This was a rather by-the-numbers, bland, and predicable origin and revenge tale. I dare say the movie was more entertaining.
July 24, 2012
What a complete and utter abomination of everything the Phantom ever was or stood for.
November 11, 2025
The Last Phantom Vol. 1 by Scott Beatty and Eduardo Ferigato reimagines the legendary hero for a modern age, blending pulpy adventure with emotional depth. The story combines legacy, loss, and action with a surprisingly human touch. I really liked the art and pacing – it’s cinematic and bold, keeping the classic Phantom spirit alive in a fresh way.
February 21, 2019
Gosto muito do Fantasma , foi o primeiro herói que li e gostei quando só lia turma da Mônica. No começo dos anos 90 pude ler alguns encadernados de tios com histórias do criador Lee Falk e adorei. Histórias que saíram na pela editora Globo nos anos 90 também eram boas. Já esta edição é deprimente, é como se o Fantasma fosse feito pela Image de meados dos anos 90: arte genérica, história que tenta modernizar o personagem mas o deixa ridículo. Não é o clássico nem o tecnológico ( do excelente Fantasma 2040). A melhor coisa são as capas do Alex Ross, o resto é descartável . Ainda bem que li pelo Kindle Unlimited, porque por um bom tempo quis comprar a versão capa dura.
December 22, 2018
Better than most of the DYNAMITE books that I have read, but the overall lack of depth, and the very weak (and questionable) ending pretty much ruined the whole thing for me.
September 7, 2020
The old men still whisper of him in dives and dens across the seamier parts of the world. The Phantom, the Ghost Who Walks, seemingly immortal foe of pirates and criminals. But the Phantom hasn’t been seen in years. Has he finally died, or is he simply sleeping in a world that no longer needs him?
Kitridge Walker was raised to become the next in line of the Phantom dynasty. His father put him through grueling, downright abusive training to become the protector of the African nation of Bengali. But the world had changed over the last few decades. Kit became embarrassed by the “wise white man who uses violence and superstition to protect and guide the natives” part of his heritage. When his father passed on, Kit instead went corporate, forming a non-profit named Walkabout to work on remedying the systemic issues that faced Bengali.
Despite being a non-profit, Walkabout controls significant assets. Wealth and power have tainted the hearts of some within the organization, and they have joined forces with a military junta within Bengali to seize control of that nation. But Kitridge Walker, his family, and their friends, stands in the way of their coup. There’s nothing for it but to kill them all preferably making Kit and the democratically elected prime minister of Bengali’s death look like random terrorism.
Kit survives the bomb, and presumed dead, takes up the family heritage and becomes the Ghost Who Walks. Beware, evildoers! The Phantom lives!
Dynamite Comics managed to get the rights to publish comic books starring the classic Lee Falk Phantom character for a while, and this was an alternate continuity to update the character for the 21st Century. Bengali replaces the traditional “Bangalla”, and Kit married locally rather than travel to find a white woman. He’s been training his son, but not in the over the top way his father trained him. Unfortunately, Kit’s family is murdered in the first few pages, so little use is made of this change.
World War Two must have gone slightly differently in this timeline, or Kit would never have hired a right-hand man named “Quisling.”
Most of this volume is Kit recovering his role as the Phantom, starting with using berry juice and soot to re-create the skullcap and mask look. (It also makes him look like he’s drenched in blood.) His primary opponents are Krieghund, a private military contractor ala Blackwater. (In a flashback to 9/11, it appears that Peter Quisling started with the motive to invest in fighting terrorism but somewhere along the line got distracted by personal greed.) He uses their stealth suit technology to upgrade his own costume.
At the end of this volume, the Phantom arrives in New York City to strike at the heart of what Quisling has turned Walkabout into.
The series struggles with consistency between its grittier elements and the more comic-booky aspects of the Phantom property. Yes, the Phantom has a stealth suit now, but he still uses a skull ring to punch people so he can mark them as evil. The main opponents are modern military contractors…hired by a man named Quisling.
The interior art is okay, but the main art draw is covers by fan favorite Alex Ross. There’s an alternate covers and sketchbook section at the end of the volume.
I am told that this series struggled in sales, and ended before the main plotline was resolved. But this volume has an okay ending point; think of it like the first movie in a planned trilogy that never got finished.
Recommended to Phantom fans who happen to see it in the store or library; it’s not something to spend time tracking down.
Kitridge Walker was raised to become the next in line of the Phantom dynasty. His father put him through grueling, downright abusive training to become the protector of the African nation of Bengali. But the world had changed over the last few decades. Kit became embarrassed by the “wise white man who uses violence and superstition to protect and guide the natives” part of his heritage. When his father passed on, Kit instead went corporate, forming a non-profit named Walkabout to work on remedying the systemic issues that faced Bengali.
Despite being a non-profit, Walkabout controls significant assets. Wealth and power have tainted the hearts of some within the organization, and they have joined forces with a military junta within Bengali to seize control of that nation. But Kitridge Walker, his family, and their friends, stands in the way of their coup. There’s nothing for it but to kill them all preferably making Kit and the democratically elected prime minister of Bengali’s death look like random terrorism.
Kit survives the bomb, and presumed dead, takes up the family heritage and becomes the Ghost Who Walks. Beware, evildoers! The Phantom lives!
Dynamite Comics managed to get the rights to publish comic books starring the classic Lee Falk Phantom character for a while, and this was an alternate continuity to update the character for the 21st Century. Bengali replaces the traditional “Bangalla”, and Kit married locally rather than travel to find a white woman. He’s been training his son, but not in the over the top way his father trained him. Unfortunately, Kit’s family is murdered in the first few pages, so little use is made of this change.
World War Two must have gone slightly differently in this timeline, or Kit would never have hired a right-hand man named “Quisling.”
Most of this volume is Kit recovering his role as the Phantom, starting with using berry juice and soot to re-create the skullcap and mask look. (It also makes him look like he’s drenched in blood.) His primary opponents are Krieghund, a private military contractor ala Blackwater. (In a flashback to 9/11, it appears that Peter Quisling started with the motive to invest in fighting terrorism but somewhere along the line got distracted by personal greed.) He uses their stealth suit technology to upgrade his own costume.
At the end of this volume, the Phantom arrives in New York City to strike at the heart of what Quisling has turned Walkabout into.
The series struggles with consistency between its grittier elements and the more comic-booky aspects of the Phantom property. Yes, the Phantom has a stealth suit now, but he still uses a skull ring to punch people so he can mark them as evil. The main opponents are modern military contractors…hired by a man named Quisling.
The interior art is okay, but the main art draw is covers by fan favorite Alex Ross. There’s an alternate covers and sketchbook section at the end of the volume.
I am told that this series struggled in sales, and ended before the main plotline was resolved. But this volume has an okay ending point; think of it like the first movie in a planned trilogy that never got finished.
Recommended to Phantom fans who happen to see it in the store or library; it’s not something to spend time tracking down.
August 9, 2023
reading the Phantom throughout my childhood i was open to read this seeing the decisive reviews. but i'll be honest this is the worst piece of media i have ever read in my life. the story is very broken and acts like a corny 90's/2000's superhero movie, however, lacks the corny charm that makes them likeable. it seems they try to make a character more like the Punisher removing the noble heritage that the Phantom is known for and it doesn't work. i can give props that this volume is at least more consistent then Vol. 2 but that doesn't say much. theirs plenty of good content of the Phantom. i'll say read them all and come to this one so you know how this isn't fitting for the Phantom lore.
but at least the grape juice look would work as an alternative skin in a Phantom game if that ever happens.
but at least the grape juice look would work as an alternative skin in a Phantom game if that ever happens.
July 3, 2017
Tem vários conceitos e ideias legais que não foram tão bem executadas, infelizmente. Mas vale a leitura.
April 12, 2018
Pretty great update and continuation of the Phantom Legacy
January 17, 2020
Calling Scott Beatty a writer is being generous if this is an example of his skill. Lee Falk's legacy is safe. If a fan of the late Mr Falk or The Phantom avoid this waste of time
June 13, 2023
very into this.
May 9, 2015
An outstanding comic book. It's a damn shame it didn't continue past #12. Just to get this out the way. Loved the covers. I liked the interior art. It worked for me. The author - Scott Beatty. His take on The Phantom is what really sold me though. He demonstrated a great working knowledge of character's lore by implementing it in the story in really cool ways. He also did a good job updating the lore for the harder-edged type of narrative we have in modern comics of the The Phantom's genre.
I was impressed by how he also took a concept like The Phantom and tackled things about him that were fine in a comic dating back to '36 but are a bit dodgy and wouldn't sit right in a modern comic book if left unaddressed. I always felt the Moonstone stuff never did this properly or at least, enough.
There's politics and in it too and The Phantom is actually a well suited property to use that. Ennis's Punisher MAX did this to great effect but Beatty does a good job here too. It helped make the character relevant and keep interest. While we were learning about him. So story in itself is entertaining. The action also kicks ass and Phantom is one scary motherfucker when he does his thing.
The only things that bother me are the dialogue. Can get a smidge clunky at times. The plot meandered once or twice and there's a 'woman in the fridge' trope in there. Those things are really not particularity bad though. Totally forgivable.
Especially since The Phantom gets some very cool lines. Not to mention, the parts about the ins and outs of the (updated) Phantom back-story. Like the flashback pages where you get a looky at the 22nd Phantom (the protagonist) getting trained by his father the 21st and you learn the reality of what it takes to be The Phantom. Those parts are awesomely scripted.
Dynamite's 'The Last Phantom' is a forgotten and unappreciated, if slightly unpolished wee gem of a comic.
I was impressed by how he also took a concept like The Phantom and tackled things about him that were fine in a comic dating back to '36 but are a bit dodgy and wouldn't sit right in a modern comic book if left unaddressed. I always felt the Moonstone stuff never did this properly or at least, enough.
There's politics and in it too and The Phantom is actually a well suited property to use that. Ennis's Punisher MAX did this to great effect but Beatty does a good job here too. It helped make the character relevant and keep interest. While we were learning about him. So story in itself is entertaining. The action also kicks ass and Phantom is one scary motherfucker when he does his thing.
The only things that bother me are the dialogue. Can get a smidge clunky at times. The plot meandered once or twice and there's a 'woman in the fridge' trope in there. Those things are really not particularity bad though. Totally forgivable.
Especially since The Phantom gets some very cool lines. Not to mention, the parts about the ins and outs of the (updated) Phantom back-story. Like the flashback pages where you get a looky at the 22nd Phantom (the protagonist) getting trained by his father the 21st and you learn the reality of what it takes to be The Phantom. Those parts are awesomely scripted.
Dynamite's 'The Last Phantom' is a forgotten and unappreciated, if slightly unpolished wee gem of a comic.
May 23, 2011
This is the second reboot writer Scott Beatty has done for Dynamite, the first being an excellent retelling of the Buck Rogers story. Here Beatty successfully takes on the challenge of updating the Phantom for the 21st century. Beatty does so by acknowledging, more so than in the currently running daily comic strip, the changes that have taken place in the world, especially in Africa. Beatty takes a little bit from the well done Phantom 2040 television show, and in flashbacks makes us wonder what sort of family makes it their "business" to fight evil for more than 400 years. Newcomers to the character will find this a good entry point.
July 19, 2011
A very interesting way of re-igniting the myth that is the Phantom.
A few detractors; the implication he killed some bad guys, not a Phantom trait. the miss-spelling of Lee Falk's name on the back cover, I believe Faulk is incorrect. and the numerous errors in grammar on the back cover also.
Otherwise it was an entertaining read. I love the suit, devil and hero. the art was far better than some of Moonstones efforts. and I quite enjoyed some of the cameo roles and the subtle nods to previous Phantom history.
Good work Mr. Beatty.
A few detractors; the implication he killed some bad guys, not a Phantom trait. the miss-spelling of Lee Falk's name on the back cover, I believe Faulk is incorrect. and the numerous errors in grammar on the back cover also.
Otherwise it was an entertaining read. I love the suit, devil and hero. the art was far better than some of Moonstones efforts. and I quite enjoyed some of the cameo roles and the subtle nods to previous Phantom history.
Good work Mr. Beatty.
May 10, 2016
Great story, revealing the latest in a long line of walkers to bear the mantle of the Ghost Who Walks. This book is great furn for people who are long-time fans of the Phantom, or people who have ever heard of this classic hero. Kit Walker has a family in Bengalia Africa and runs a success philanthropy company that provides aid to devastated parts of the world. His life takes a tragic turn that reveals that he can never leave the Phantom behind him.
February 24, 2014
Better than I expected; this has really good backstory and a good built world. Being the first volume, it left many questions unanswered. It was more violent and military-based than I'm used to. An for me, it dragged on too long in parts I found I really didn't care about. It also flips around a lot, flashbacks of varying timelines, to the present.
March 27, 2011
This really is a story worthy of HC format, but maybe its not as popular as it should be. I know Phantom is an older B character, but once Dynamite got recent rights to him, they really did a good job of creating a good Phantom story started here. Definitely worth checking out.
January 25, 2013
I really enjoyed this updating of the old Phantom character. The story is suitably modern and there are many high tech touches but the spirit of the old adventures still lives on. However this Phantom strikes me as much more of a badass than any of his ancestors. Lots of fun.
June 9, 2011
Scott Beatty kicked ass on "Buck Rogers" and now he's kicking ass on The Phantom. Kind of darker than most Phantom stuff I've read, but still very good.
October 20, 2013
Me gusto bastante, es un comic interesante, buen dibujo.
February 18, 2015
wanted this to be great, was only alright
April 1, 2016
A good, new story line for Australian readers to get their heads into. It allows for a darker edge than Frew will publish in the Australian series.
Worth a read.
Worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews