Updates on the Free Comic Book Day Phantom comic & series from Mad Cave Studios

With Free Comic Book Day (May 3rd) being just around the corner, we have some updates regarding the highly anticipated phantom comic book from Mad Cave Studios to be released on that day. With the writer of the comic, Ray Fawkes, appearing on a podcast as well a glimpse of a few of the pages being released, we have enough tease of what to expect from the book.

Ray Fawkes, the writer of the comic book, recently appeared on a podcast on the YouTube channel 'Traversing the Stars' where he was interviewed regarding his upcoming Phantom comic book. You can watch the YouTube interview below:

The key takeaways from the podcast are:

Ray Fawkes talked about what attracted him towards the project with the character's rich history as well as him being the first character to have white eyes.

Ray Fawkes describes Russell Mark Olson's art style being exactly what he wanted for this project. His style is classic and timeless with and not too gritty or cartoony and a perfect way to tell a fun adventure of the phantom. He also describes his creative process with Russell.

Fawkes also talked about why the phantom has still made it through after 89 years of creation describing him as a classic, iconic, simple jungle adventurer and a not very complicated character. He thinks that is why he becomes so relatable.

Fawkes talks about the setting of the book and mentions that the story is a very time independent adventure.

Fawkes also mentions that he is a fan of the 1996 film, but went back to the old comic strips for his research. He feels that his interpretation of Phantom is loyal to the old classic stories than any other version.

Regarding the comic book, Fawkes mentions it is a full length one with 20-22 pages featuring a complete story. It isn't an origin story of the phantom, but does feature the same for new readers. It features the 21st Phantom going on an adventure in the jungle. Diana also appears, but the phantom is on his own in the story.

Fawkes also mentions of there being a new antagonist for the phantom in the story. The antagonist won't be a recurring one and he would love to explore the rogue gallery centred around a criminal organization from the older comics (Singh Brotherhood?) for the next stories.

Fawkes discusses the idea of the phantom with the use of his legend as a weapon and shield. He also discusses the motivation of the current phantom and describes him as an adventurer who enjoys adventuring, as well as delivering justice. He also mentions that the motivation hasn't remained the same with all the past phantoms. He also discuses phantoms no kill rule with him not harming others intentionally.

Fawkes mentions of the story being set in the same world as Dan Didio's Defenders of the Earth series but not dependent upon each other. He also mentions of his phantom being the same phantom as Defenders of the Earth (actually the 27th).

Fawkes also teases the future and says he hopes for continuation. He also would love to work with Russell Mark Olson on the rest of the series. He also urges fans to raise their voices to Mad Cave Studios after the book comes out and ask for a continuation.

Fawkes finally tells us to expect a really fun jungle adventure where the phantom trades blows with nasty characters with jungle predators involved, and with humor, violence and a lot of fun.

This segues perfectly to the previews of the book released by Mad Cave Studios where we see, along with the cover, at least three of the pages from the story.

With the interview and preview pages, we surely are being teased for an interesting comic book. What do you think of the interview and preview? Are you excited for the comic book? Let us know your thoughts on our social media.