Writer – Peter David
Artist – Sal Velluto
Colours – Eugenio Mattozzi
Letters – Kenneth Bruzenak

Coming from Hermes Press, a publisher who usually does high-quality reprints of classic comics is a series starring The Ghost Who Walks, otherwise known as The Phantom. Peter David picks up the pen again to tackle the character and he gives the classic origin for newer readers before diving straight into his own story which finds the hero going up against a group of pirates looking for the lost treasure of Ophir. As it happens, it is the Singh Brotherhood or at least their newest incarnation proving that much like The Phantom, they too have a penchant for sticking around. This particular Phantom is married to a woman named Diana and when they decide to take a little time to themselves to relax one night, they are interrupted by the news of a wrongdoing that is taking place which means it is time for The Phantom to intervene. David delivers a solid and entertaining tale of the legendary hero, giving us a story of how The Phantom should be portrayed, less grim and gritty and a bit more Tarzan crossed with The Shadow. This is merely the first part of the tale, but David makes readers feel invested in it and the character and they will find themselves enjoying this book right from the offset, also knowing that they will definitely be in it for the long haul. Veteran artist Sal Velluto lends his immeasurable skills to the book, creating some stunning visuals for the comic that remind readers of its past while looking current at the same time. It is nice to see the classic property being treated with the respect it deserves and by creators who obviously know the history of it. This story does two things, the first being an introduction to the characters that star within its pages and secondly, giving those who pick it up a couple of mysteries. The first is Ophir, a city of gold that is supposed to be only legend and the second is a new character who gets the better of The Phantom before leaving the book on a cliffhanger. It makes for an enjoyable read and even better, lets Diana become an integral part of the story where she usually sits on the sidelines while her husband does all the heroing. As a first issue, the book has it all and for fans of The Phantom, one cannot go wrong trying to seek it out.

4 out of 5