Review of Mad Cave Studios 'Defenders of the Earth' issue 5

Mad Cave Studios Defenders of the Earth #5 was originally published 19 March 2025 after a two week delay. This issue features two covers with Ming the Merciless having his time to shine on the variant cover. Please note, this review will have spoilers.

Have you been following the series and what are your thoughts on what is happening with the Phantom? Please note, issue 6 comes out in April 2025 and will feature a new artist. No news as of yet who the artist is.

Credits for the issue are:

Title: "Brotherly Hate" Writer: Dan DiDio Artist: Jim Calafiore Colourist: Juancho Velez Letterer: Carlos M Mangual Editor: Chas! Pangburn Cover A: Jim Calafiore Cover B: Djordje Djokovic and Jack Tsai

The synopsis: Phantom versus Phantom! The Defenders establish a new base in Africa, where Mandrake empowers the ghostly Phantom to roam freely beyond Xanadu. Now, Phantom must team up with L.J. and Rick to track down Jedda and thwart his brother’s sinister plans.

This was easily the best issue I have read so far. We would love to hear your thoughts on the series.

We would recommend you checking our platforms as we have published three interviews with the creator team for the series in Dan DiDio the writer, Jim Calafiore the illustrator and Chas! Pangburn the editor.

A huge shout out to our reviewer Scott Waldyn who will reviewing Phantom comics from USA. You can follow him from his Instagram and or website.

All Mad Cave Studios comics and other comic reviews will be included in our monthly X-Band: The Phantom Podcasts. You can find out more at our website and or subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos and reviews.