"Worth Beyond Measure"
Writer: Mike Bullock
Artists: Zeu, Bob Pedroza (colors)
Publisher: Moonstone
Mike Bullock takes a breather from the serious educational drama that has of late been playing out in The Phantom. For this story, he has our current Kit Walker relate to his children a romp from the annals of the seventeenth century Ghost Who Walks. Bullock spices this tale of “theft” with the flavor of the time. The cover gives the reader a hint about what awaits.
Like other soldiers, regardless of the period, some of the Musketeers after being forced to disband became brigands. These particular swordsmen steal the Heart of Lafitte and incur the wrath of the Phantom.
Despite the underlying salaciousness of the subject matter, Bullock keeps things extremely light and bouncy. He laces the Musketeer dialogue with enough lispy “zees” and “zats” to make Batroc blush. If I’m not mistaken, he includes among the Musketeer men, a woman in disguise, perhaps as a nod to the Musketeer movie sequel At Sword’s Point, where the daughter of D’artagnan dresses as a boy to join the sons of the Musketeers. New Phantom artist Zeu gives this particular Queens man a delicate frame and feminine features.
Bullock keeps the Phantom committed to the recovery of the Heart, but Bullock also gives him flamboyance that manifests in a few smiles during the swordfighting, the buckling of swash and the recovery of the jewel. Phantom fans will be delighted by Bullock’s research into Walkerlore. The mention of the Heart of Lafitte will tickle faithful fans, but they’re still unlikely to dope out the nature of the prize.
Zeu brings a svelte angularity to the Phantom. His version of the character alludes to Ray Moore’s quintessential model. Period detail flourishes within the panels, and Zeu’s Phantom can be light or dark depending on the mood. Diana and Kit in Zeu’s hands are button cute, and the elder Diana as well as the female guest stars exhibit class, beauty and poise.
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