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The Phantom (2025) #0-5
The Phantom Vol. 1
The first collection of the new ongoing series! Critically-acclaimed writer Ray Fawkes and artist Russell Olson refresh a beloved franchise. While fans of the Phantom will love the homages and easter eggs placed throughout the series, it's a perfect collection for new fans as well, with an accessible, fun adventure story that showcases the Phantom's awesome athleticism as well as his compassion for animals and for the African community he helps protect. THE GHOST WALKS AGAIN! The Phantom returns! Created by Lee Falks in 1936, the Phantom is one of the first costumed super heroes in history, with untold influence on pop culture. Now, critically-acclaimed creators Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson revive the character for fans old and new. When a violent gang of smugglers stubbles on an idyllic Bandar village, the peace that the Phantom has brought to the African nation of Bangalla will suddenly shatter. It will take all of the Phantom’s many skills — and allies — to restore it. The most exciting series of the year starts here!
152 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
Ray Fawkes
467 books84 followersRay Fawkes is the critically-acclaimed author of the comics and graphic novels Underwinter, Intersect, One Soul, The People Inside, The Spectral Engine, Possessions, and Junction True, as well as Batman: Eternal, Constantine, Justice League Dark, and Gotham by Midnight (DC), Wolverines (Marvel), Black Hammer '45 (Dark Horse), Jackpot! (AfterShock) and more. He is an Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster award nominee and a YALSA award winner.
Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.
Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 27, 2026
I did enjoy this book but I was a bit dissapointed that it was not the current Phantom, (the one from the Defenders of the Earth), however i can forgive that as I can see the story getting there as well as being a good story on its own.
Tge story fro Free Comic Book Day 2025 issue zero. The Phantom follows a group of hunter who are now the prey. Who's side will the Phantom take? Then this series a plane crash brings smugglers and an ancient enemy back to Bangalla. Can the Phantom fight an army of mercenaries and save the people of the Bangalla?
What the Phantom lacks in powers he makes up for in mystic. The legonds about him and the people around him. He is feared by evil but loved and helped by the people. I like he uses all his fighting skills and tactical thinking. A very hood start to a new series. The book finishes with a huge thumbnail variant cover gallery.
Tge story fro Free Comic Book Day 2025 issue zero. The Phantom follows a group of hunter who are now the prey. Who's side will the Phantom take? Then this series a plane crash brings smugglers and an ancient enemy back to Bangalla. Can the Phantom fight an army of mercenaries and save the people of the Bangalla?
What the Phantom lacks in powers he makes up for in mystic. The legonds about him and the people around him. He is feared by evil but loved and helped by the people. I like he uses all his fighting skills and tactical thinking. A very hood start to a new series. The book finishes with a huge thumbnail variant cover gallery.
July 14, 2026
The Phantom comes to Mad Cave Studios in style as this series is a perfect jumping on point that does an excellent job of hinting at the larger story and world of the character but takes its time to build up who Kit Walker is. The story and art meshed together incredibly well and I can’t wait to see where the story takes us next.
Special Thanks to Mad Cave Studios and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
Special Thanks to Mad Cave Studios and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
June 19, 2026
Mad Cave Studios provided an early galley for review.
First off, that cover by Freddie Williams II is incredible. It jumps right out at me. If I saw this on a shelf, it would be hard to resist.
The book itself takes me right back to the days of reading the Phantom in the Sunday comics page growing up. The artwork, the inking and the colors all contribute to that classic vibe that is perfect for a series like this one.
And that is a key phrase here: vibe. The creative team has done an amazing job capturing the spirit and essence of what made the Phantom stories so engaging.
First off, that cover by Freddie Williams II is incredible. It jumps right out at me. If I saw this on a shelf, it would be hard to resist.
The book itself takes me right back to the days of reading the Phantom in the Sunday comics page growing up. The artwork, the inking and the colors all contribute to that classic vibe that is perfect for a series like this one.
And that is a key phrase here: vibe. The creative team has done an amazing job capturing the spirit and essence of what made the Phantom stories so engaging.
July 23, 2026
The Phantom Vol. 1 is a refreshing return to one of comics' most iconic heroes. Ray Fawkes delivers a fast-paced adventure with strong artwork, keeping the Ghost Who Walks true to his classic roots while making the story accessible for modern readers. The action is engaging, and the visuals do an excellent job of bringing the dense jungles and mystery to life.
One detail I found particularly interesting is the long-discussed connection between Bangalla and India's Sundarbans region. The very name "Bangalla" has often been associated with Bengal, and the presence of characters such as the villain Asif Singh further reinforces that South Asian influence. Although this book placed Bangalla in Africa, this appears to be a creative decision tied to the character's evolving publication history rather than the setting's original inspirations. Whether intentional or not, these subtle Indian influences add an extra layer of intrigue. Overall, it's an enjoyable volume that provides good reading time.
My NetGalley review
One detail I found particularly interesting is the long-discussed connection between Bangalla and India's Sundarbans region. The very name "Bangalla" has often been associated with Bengal, and the presence of characters such as the villain Asif Singh further reinforces that South Asian influence. Although this book placed Bangalla in Africa, this appears to be a creative decision tied to the character's evolving publication history rather than the setting's original inspirations. Whether intentional or not, these subtle Indian influences add an extra layer of intrigue. Overall, it's an enjoyable volume that provides good reading time.
My NetGalley review
September 6, 2026
I received this book courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Overview: In the deep forest near Asia, there lives a secret or two. There is a village that hosts what is called a 'poison tribe'. You can also find a skull shaped cave that has hosted a family for three generations. What happens when a drug cartel discovers that their plane went down and the drugs are gone? What do they want with the village? And isn't The Phantom just a myth? What is a poison tribe anyway? Let's find out.
Story Telling: This is the first volume of a superhero comic book.
Artwork: This is an American style comic book, so our images are in full color, and meant more for teens to adults.
Dislikes: I do believe that we should care for the environment and that includes the wildlife thereof. But, I don't place the environment, the wildlife, or domestic livestock/pets above human life. The section with the poachers nearly ended the book for me.
Likes; The Phantom's relationship with the village was great. Especially when his best friend tries to help and protect him.
Mr. Singh didn't care much for what a poison tribe was It was pretty funny to see him gain that realization.
Conclusion: This was a decent story, I just prefer Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman myself. This is just a matter of tastes. If you are interested in superhero comics, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Overview: In the deep forest near Asia, there lives a secret or two. There is a village that hosts what is called a 'poison tribe'. You can also find a skull shaped cave that has hosted a family for three generations. What happens when a drug cartel discovers that their plane went down and the drugs are gone? What do they want with the village? And isn't The Phantom just a myth? What is a poison tribe anyway? Let's find out.
Story Telling: This is the first volume of a superhero comic book.
Artwork: This is an American style comic book, so our images are in full color, and meant more for teens to adults.
Dislikes: I do believe that we should care for the environment and that includes the wildlife thereof. But, I don't place the environment, the wildlife, or domestic livestock/pets above human life. The section with the poachers nearly ended the book for me.
Likes; The Phantom's relationship with the village was great. Especially when his best friend tries to help and protect him.
Mr. Singh didn't care much for what a poison tribe was It was pretty funny to see him gain that realization.
Conclusion: This was a decent story, I just prefer Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman myself. This is just a matter of tastes. If you are interested in superhero comics, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
September 13, 2026
Wow!
What a nostalgic romp to the days of my youth.
In the 1970s the adventures of The Phantom were published by Charlton Comics, running from issue #30 in 1969 through the final issue #74 in January 1977, (according to a web search). I was nine in 1969, and my mid teens in 1977, and I liked comic books, including The Phantom.
The character was always sort of a cross between Tarzan and a jungle-based Batman, and I loved his adventures.
This new graphic novels collects a series of five from author Ray Fawkes and he gets it just bang on in terms of capturing The Phantom of my youth.
A plug to the cover artists. A few would make great art prints on a 'man cave' wall.
This one was a pure joy given my history where The Phantom was one of the early comics that made me a fan of the medium.
What a nostalgic romp to the days of my youth.
In the 1970s the adventures of The Phantom were published by Charlton Comics, running from issue #30 in 1969 through the final issue #74 in January 1977, (according to a web search). I was nine in 1969, and my mid teens in 1977, and I liked comic books, including The Phantom.
The character was always sort of a cross between Tarzan and a jungle-based Batman, and I loved his adventures.
This new graphic novels collects a series of five from author Ray Fawkes and he gets it just bang on in terms of capturing The Phantom of my youth.
A plug to the cover artists. A few would make great art prints on a 'man cave' wall.
This one was a pure joy given my history where The Phantom was one of the early comics that made me a fan of the medium.
Read
July 27, 2026Well, the good news is that the cover is not representative of the interior; the Phantom is not on the 'roids, is still the Ghost who Walks rather than the Ghost who Waddles. Which is not to say that the visuals are anything more than affably serviceable; there's still a big gap between comics Ray Fawkes writes and illustrates, such as the haunting Underwinter, and ones he merely writes, which as here, tend to be... fine?
Now, I've always liked the vibe of the Phantom, but if I'm honest I only know the absolute basics like the skull cave, and am mainly familiar with him from Defenders Of The Earth. So I'm really not best placed to tell you how well this version matches up to a lineage that goes back longer than the superheroes he resembles but can't quite be counted among. Certainly I wondered how a contemporary book might deal with the perhaps unfortunate optics of a white dude as the mighty protector of the African jungle, a circle this mostly squares by having him as the friend since childhood of the local village's chief's son, a part of the community rather than apart from it. The cost of that is to lose some of his mystery; when heavily armed smugglers inevitably intrude, he's striking from the shadows against overwhelming odds like a less urban and less shit Batman, but really his overall jauntiness about it might make Ted Kord a better comparison than Bruce Wayne. Again, though, maybe Lee Falk played him that way too; I don't have the background to say. Similarly, it might be a knowing homage that this particular stretch of East African jungle is unusual in being home to tigers and birds of paradise. Without that context, or a strong investment in the character, all I can say is that it's not great. Better at delivering simple action adventure comic thrills than a lot of the absolute drivel currently being put out in the superhero sphere, true, but I would have hoped we could put the bar a little higher than that.
(Netgalley ARC)
Now, I've always liked the vibe of the Phantom, but if I'm honest I only know the absolute basics like the skull cave, and am mainly familiar with him from Defenders Of The Earth. So I'm really not best placed to tell you how well this version matches up to a lineage that goes back longer than the superheroes he resembles but can't quite be counted among. Certainly I wondered how a contemporary book might deal with the perhaps unfortunate optics of a white dude as the mighty protector of the African jungle, a circle this mostly squares by having him as the friend since childhood of the local village's chief's son, a part of the community rather than apart from it. The cost of that is to lose some of his mystery; when heavily armed smugglers inevitably intrude, he's striking from the shadows against overwhelming odds like a less urban and less shit Batman, but really his overall jauntiness about it might make Ted Kord a better comparison than Bruce Wayne. Again, though, maybe Lee Falk played him that way too; I don't have the background to say. Similarly, it might be a knowing homage that this particular stretch of East African jungle is unusual in being home to tigers and birds of paradise. Without that context, or a strong investment in the character, all I can say is that it's not great. Better at delivering simple action adventure comic thrills than a lot of the absolute drivel currently being put out in the superhero sphere, true, but I would have hoped we could put the bar a little higher than that.
(Netgalley ARC)
September 4, 2026
Well this collection doesn't help itself. After Issue #0 introduces us to The Phantom, a vigilante against hunters in some fictional Africa (oh bless the White Saviour character!), it ends with him at home and witnessing a plane crash into the jungle. But Issue #1 starts with him investigating an entirely different plane crash, having been moping on a township rooftop with his best friend. Not only that, where we started was with a nice first person, here we're outside the character, or he's writing about himself in the third person, and it's a bit whiffy that they felt the need to change. And when the baddy gets to narrate in his own unique font, he's both first and third person in the same paragraph.
Why am I talking of such things long before mentioning the actual plot? Well, partly because these matters came to light before the actual plot, but partly to indicate that, when it does creep along, it isn't that spectacular. Drug runners try to beat the villagers, the villagers (and our hero) fight back. By the end it's certainly tried well to lessen the White Saviour aspect of it all, but the fact remains this is not nearly as fresh as it might have been – this could well have been a period story in any era of the comic. I guess the demand to not change things up too much was too great – that's a valid way of seeing things, but this is more disposable for feeling so detached from modern times.
Oh, and that fridge catch was as daft as a similar item featuring in a certain other franchise best left in the past.
Why am I talking of such things long before mentioning the actual plot? Well, partly because these matters came to light before the actual plot, but partly to indicate that, when it does creep along, it isn't that spectacular. Drug runners try to beat the villagers, the villagers (and our hero) fight back. By the end it's certainly tried well to lessen the White Saviour aspect of it all, but the fact remains this is not nearly as fresh as it might have been – this could well have been a period story in any era of the comic. I guess the demand to not change things up too much was too great – that's a valid way of seeing things, but this is more disposable for feeling so detached from modern times.
Oh, and that fridge catch was as daft as a similar item featuring in a certain other franchise best left in the past.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had a great time with The Phantom Vol. 1. As someone who enjoys classic adventure stories, this felt like a successful modern update that still respects what has made the character endure for decades. Ray Fawkes drops you into the action quickly without making the book feel inaccessible, and I never felt like I needed years of Phantom knowledge to enjoy it. The story moves at a brisk pace with plenty of jungle action, a memorable central threat in the Singh Brotherhood, and enough mystery surrounding Kit Walker to keep me invested.
Russell Olson’s artwork is the real standout for me. The action scenes are energetic, the jungle setting feels alive, and the Phantom himself has a commanding presence on every page. I also appreciated that this wasn’t just nonstop fighting. There are strong themes of legacy, responsibility, and protecting others that give the book more weight than a simple pulp adventure. It doesn’t completely reinvent the character, but it doesn’t need to. It delivers exactly what I was hoping for: an exciting, accessible Phantom story that made me want to keep reading. An easy 4⭐️ from me.
Russell Olson’s artwork is the real standout for me. The action scenes are energetic, the jungle setting feels alive, and the Phantom himself has a commanding presence on every page. I also appreciated that this wasn’t just nonstop fighting. There are strong themes of legacy, responsibility, and protecting others that give the book more weight than a simple pulp adventure. It doesn’t completely reinvent the character, but it doesn’t need to. It delivers exactly what I was hoping for: an exciting, accessible Phantom story that made me want to keep reading. An easy 4⭐️ from me.
September 4, 2026
It’s always interesting to learn about early superheroes that died out. I remember watching The Spirit when they released that movie 20 years ago and was underwhelmed. Still, I thought I should give The Phantom, Vol. 1 a shot.
Thank you Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I want to say right off the bat that, of course, a white guy being the savior for an African country was a bit on the nose. Sure, it’s the fictional country of Bangalla, but it’s still eyeroll-worthy at times.
The Phantom protects Bangalla from all types of invaders, and this time it’s a drug trafficking organization that crash lands in the jungle. He fights them off while protecting the villagers, and almost everyone goes home happy.
I learned in this book that Phantom doesn’t actually have any powers? He’s just good at fighting? That’s my biggest takeaway in all of this.
Russell Olson did a good job with the art. The characters were all pretty distinctive, and I was able to tell them a part.
Also, I just learned that there’s a The Phantom movie starring Billy Zane. I’ll probably never watch it, but that’s interesting. Maybe one day…
Thank you Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I want to say right off the bat that, of course, a white guy being the savior for an African country was a bit on the nose. Sure, it’s the fictional country of Bangalla, but it’s still eyeroll-worthy at times.
The Phantom protects Bangalla from all types of invaders, and this time it’s a drug trafficking organization that crash lands in the jungle. He fights them off while protecting the villagers, and almost everyone goes home happy.
I learned in this book that Phantom doesn’t actually have any powers? He’s just good at fighting? That’s my biggest takeaway in all of this.
Russell Olson did a good job with the art. The characters were all pretty distinctive, and I was able to tell them a part.
Also, I just learned that there’s a The Phantom movie starring Billy Zane. I’ll probably never watch it, but that’s interesting. Maybe one day…
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's a fun, quick read of a graphic novel. I've seen the movie from the 90s and that is the entirety of my exposure to The Phantom, which is one one of the first superheroes ever! The character predates Superman by a few years.
This is a collection of the first six issues from Ray Fawkes' run on The Phantom with Mad City Studios. The stories are standalone or maybe carry over into a second issue, so it's fairly contained. Makes for quick and easy reading.
Not being super familiar with the lore didn't hurt my enjoyment of the story. It's fun action, a pretty standard comic affair. I will say that the art style wasn't to my liking. Maybe others will enjoy it more.
I really enjoyed the lettering by Taylor Esposito. It's an artform in and of itself and it stood out greatly to me with this collection.
All in all, it's a fun collection and worth your time if you're a fan of the character.
This is a collection of the first six issues from Ray Fawkes' run on The Phantom with Mad City Studios. The stories are standalone or maybe carry over into a second issue, so it's fairly contained. Makes for quick and easy reading.
Not being super familiar with the lore didn't hurt my enjoyment of the story. It's fun action, a pretty standard comic affair. I will say that the art style wasn't to my liking. Maybe others will enjoy it more.
I really enjoyed the lettering by Taylor Esposito. It's an artform in and of itself and it stood out greatly to me with this collection.
All in all, it's a fun collection and worth your time if you're a fan of the character.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Phantom is a classic character from the Golden Age of comics. I used to read his black and white strip every Sunday. He was always a good adventure filled time.
When I heard that Madcave Studios had gotten the rights to the Phantom, I was definitely interested in checking the book out. I was not disappointed.
Ray Fawkes weaved together some great adventures for this first collection. Highlight the Phantom and his supporting cast very well.
Russell Olson was a great choice for art. I’ve never really seen much of his work before, but there was solid effort here. Much to enjoy.
If you are new to the character and setting of The Phantom, this book is a great jumping on point for you.
If you’re a long time fan, this book will remind you why you loved the character.
When I heard that Madcave Studios had gotten the rights to the Phantom, I was definitely interested in checking the book out. I was not disappointed.
Ray Fawkes weaved together some great adventures for this first collection. Highlight the Phantom and his supporting cast very well.
Russell Olson was a great choice for art. I’ve never really seen much of his work before, but there was solid effort here. Much to enjoy.
If you are new to the character and setting of The Phantom, this book is a great jumping on point for you.
If you’re a long time fan, this book will remind you why you loved the character.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5
Pulp adventure with a capital P, The Phantom is one of the world's oldest superheroes, predating Superman by a grand total of two years.
In this latest collection, Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson breathe new life into the character for a modern-day audience while still holding onto the spirit of the comic in a way that will keep established fans happy.
The art was excellent and the reintroduction of one of the big bads of The Phantom lore was fun as well as compelling. I also found Kit Walker to be very likable and easy to root for.
Overall, this is an excellent jumping-on point for new readers.
Worth a look.
With thanks to Mad Cave Studios for the ARC.
Pulp adventure with a capital P, The Phantom is one of the world's oldest superheroes, predating Superman by a grand total of two years.
In this latest collection, Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson breathe new life into the character for a modern-day audience while still holding onto the spirit of the comic in a way that will keep established fans happy.
The art was excellent and the reintroduction of one of the big bads of The Phantom lore was fun as well as compelling. I also found Kit Walker to be very likable and easy to root for.
Overall, this is an excellent jumping-on point for new readers.
Worth a look.
With thanks to Mad Cave Studios for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For years, I have seen pictures of The Phantom but never picked up a comic or graphic novel. When I saw this, I thought, well, here is my chance. Does it live up to the hype? I think so.
This isn’t a long graphic novel, but there is a lot packed in to it and it serves as a great introduction to those of us that do not know anything about the character.
A lot of adventure, some humor, and a good nod to some old school comics.
Well done, and I look forward to checking out more adventures with THE PHANTOM!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
This isn’t a long graphic novel, but there is a lot packed in to it and it serves as a great introduction to those of us that do not know anything about the character.
A lot of adventure, some humor, and a good nod to some old school comics.
Well done, and I look forward to checking out more adventures with THE PHANTOM!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy
read the single issues.
I really wanted to love this because I love the phantom.
it felt very juvenile written.
strange having a six issue arc with the phantom when most issues are one and done or two parts maximum. nothing inherently wrong with it, but phantom books are usually full of so much story this was light.
art was better than I could do.
I really wanted to love this because I love the phantom.
it felt very juvenile written.
strange having a six issue arc with the phantom when most issues are one and done or two parts maximum. nothing inherently wrong with it, but phantom books are usually full of so much story this was light.
art was better than I could do.
August 16, 2026
A good revamp/reboot of The Phantom that throws readers into a more modern era (newer helicopters, electricity in the jungle, walkie talkies) with an already established core team (Kit, Diana, Guran) while fleshing out the Bangalla community and Singh without reducing them to tropes. (e-galley from NetGalley)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was fine if uninspiring. Some mercenaries threaten the village where the Phantom lives and he has to take care of them. It's all pretty basic.
July 23, 2026
Un nueve modernización para el "Duende que Camina", ahora más jovial y en una trama que ofrece un protagonismo importante a los villanos. Pocas sorpresas, pero en tensión y desarrollo cumple.
August 29, 2026
All in all, better than expected. A bit naive and inconsistent, but true to its roots. A higher rating due to nostalgia.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews