Moonstone #12 - Tiger Blood Part one

LennartMal · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:21 pm Post subject:

I have just received my copy in the post.

On this evidence, Mike Bullock has indeed pulled back from some Moonstone extremes, and I am pleased to see that the stalking Phantom is back again with a vengeance.

Gabriel Rearte provides serviceable art (even though I am not a fan of his style), and the Phantom is even depicted in some panels as Sy Barry used to draw him (plus all the biceps, of course).

The story is OK, but oh so short (to be continued in no. 13). It takes less than 10 minutes to whizz through this, even if you stop to look at the art more closely.

I will have to accept the 'talking' to the tigers. The Phantom talks to Devil and Hero and some of the animals on Eden, a trait I question but it has been there all along, so...

A big critisism: The poachers Miguel and Carlos literally swap places half-way through the episode. It is a huge mystery that this was not picked up somewhere along the production line. Keep this in mind, those of you who have not read this yet.

The story does not do a lot for me, but to be honest I can't find anything major to carp about either, so I will give it a cautious 'average', all things considered.

Lennart

Ivan · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 3948 Location: Norway

Mike Bullock wrote:

Jonc wrote:

Considering all the fallout and collateral damage that was caused when he first took over..

"Fallout", "Collateral damage"? I thought I was writing a funny book, I didn't realize I'd been conscripted into nuclear warfare. Shocked

Don't be childish, take it as a man!

Ivan

Paul Andreas · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 2246 Location: Norway

Jonc wrote:

If you want to make an impression you must do it from the start. Considering all the fallout and collateral damage that was caused when he first took over, their is big expectations that he will deliver.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean here, Jonc. What fallout are you talking about? Confused

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Jonc · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:23 am Post subject:

paul andreas wrote:

Jonc wrote:

If you want to make an impression you must do it from the start. Considering all the fallout and collateral damage that was caused when he first took over, their is big expectations that he will deliver.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean here, Jonc. What fallout are you talking about? Confused

I'm referring to the whole debacle which saw Guran shut down this forum. People pretty much forget about the amount of work and dedication that he put in over the years to promote the character on the WWW.

germ wrote:

If not maybe you should keep the same measure of standards on ALL Phantom stories which you guys dont do..

The reason I don't comment on Frew Egmont is that I'd be flat out having read half a dozen issues since the Year 1 Arc where I made my comments loud and clear and the rubbish that went on here earlier in the year that I refer to above really made me disallusioned and lose interest. I have bought and read all Moonstone issues though germ and have commented both good and bad on them.

I hope to pick up issue 12 tomorrow so I'll let you know my thoughts then.

mike bullock wrote:

"Fallout", "Collateral damage"? I thought I was writing a funny book, I didn't realize I'd been conscripted into nuclear warfare.

No offence mike but you set the bar. I look forward to you living up to the hype.
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Ivan · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 3948 Location: Norway

Hi

Jonc wrote:

The reason I don't comment on Frew Egmont is that I'd be flat out having read half a dozen issues since the Year 1 Arc where I made my comments loud and clear and the rubbish that went on here earlier in the year that I refer to above really made me disallusioned and lose interest. I have bought and read all Moonstone issues though germ and have commented both good and bad on them..

I very much agree with you in that, since the Year One I have mostly scimmed through the stories, I like to discuss so a bit reading is required.

What I really like to read is the classic Falk, never get out of date.

Ivan

Mike Bullock · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:32 am Post subject:

Jonc wrote:

I'm referring to the whole debacle which saw Guran shut down this forum. People pretty much forget about the amount of work and dedication that he put in over the years to promote the character on the WWW.

Rolling Eyes

No offence mike but you set the bar. I look forward to you living up to the hype.

I'm not sure if I'm merely misundertsanding your semantics, or if you're being openly hostile for some afront you feel I've done you. Rest assured, harming you (or anyone else for that matter) physically, mentally or spiritually is the last thing on Earth I intend to do with any effort I make. In addition, if I have somehow harmed you, please accept my apologies.

I'd rather not once again rehash the whole thing with Bryan, but surely you don't think my argument with him was the sole reason he left the MBs. Hopefully, his time off has allowed him to find some peace and let him live a better life with less strife & stress.

Now, back to your other comments, assuming you mean "hype" as in short for "Hyperbole", which is defined thusly:

1. obvious and intentional exaggeration.
2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”

I've not once stated my run would be any better or any worse than anyone elses'. I actually think Ben Raab is a far better writer than I am at this stage of the game. As are Chuck Dixon, Ron Marz, Tony Bedard, Rafael Nieves, Joe Gentile and all the other Moonstone writers.

As for Mr. Falk, he was, quite simply, a genius.

I've openly stated that if my work is a tenth as good as Mr. Falk's, I'll be happy. I've also openly stated that #12 isn't the issue I'm most proud of to date. I know I have a lot more to learn as a storyteller, and as a Phan of Mr. Falk's work.

Granted, had I shouted from the top of Phantom Head that I was the "Savior of the Deep Woods" or "God's Gift to Phantom Phans" then I could see your point. But answering interview requests from online and print journalists isn't 'hype', it's smart business.
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germ · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:04 pm Post subject:

wow this is heating up nice now...

Jonc wrote:

I'm referring to the whole debacle which saw Guran shut down this forum. People pretty much forget about the amount of work and dedication that he put in over the years to promote the character on the WWW.

Guran did a wonderful job and he still provides a lot of help for the net now and the Phantom would always be thankful for what he has done and we are jumping on board the band wagon he started and pionereed. Although with my respect that I have for him, I personally didnt think much of his attitudes and way he conducts himself with Moonstone etc, that wasnt professional from all parties and not just him. btw just for the record I still hope he will join us again soon.

Jonc wrote:

The reason I don't comment on Frew Egmont is that I'd be flat out having read half a dozen issues since the Year 1 Arc where I made my comments loud and clear and the rubbish that went on here earlier in the year that I refer to above really made me disallusioned and lose interest. I have bought and read all Moonstone issues though germ and have commented both good and bad on them.

Fair enough but I only raise that point because I tend to think sometimes that people rant and rave about Moonstone yet ignore Egmont/ Frew who seem to be making just as many mistakes and bringing out just the same amount of rubbish if not more. Judging them with the same hat would be good and fair imho.

Mike your turn Wink

I fully respect you for what you are trying to do with the Phantom and get it the coverage that he fully deserves in the USA. You have contacts so why not use them (like what you said). I dont knock you for that. I think your problem Mike is that you have like most peoples on this boards dream job of actually writting stories for our legand and hero. This can cause a problem because we are all 'experts' and can do a better job.
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Ivan · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 3948 Location: Norway

This is the firs issue written by Mike, the savior of Moonstone’s take on the Phantom.
So, what do we have here?
All in all, I would say it is a OK Phantom story, at least we can say “this may be the Phantom”! Not as we are used to see him in a Falk story, and certainly not in a Egmont story.
But, that is OK, because what we have here is a story made for the US-marked, and from what I have seen before they does not expect as much between two covers as we do in Scandinavia, sorry for them, but that is a fact.
And less they get no doubt about that. What we have here is an intro for a story, and not halfway through (assuming we will only have one part left), this intro should not be more than 5 to 10 pages in mine opinion.
As an intro to a story, and I don’t have much else to judge it by as we have not seen all of it, it is OK. But there are some questions to be asked.
What about the tigers the Phantom is “working” with? Three tigers and my first guess would be that these are the same 3 he saved after the hunters killed their mom? If so, how could they grow that fast, or is the stranger sitting in a bar for several weeks?
If this is not the same tigers, well what are they? Since when did the Phantom have a pack of tame tigers as company when hunting criminals?
But this is merely details in a story and I am looking forward to a second part because this is not a bad way to tell a Phantom story at all.
As I said to begin with, not what I have been used to, but certainly a Phantom story!!

Paul Andreas · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 2246 Location: Norway

It should certainly be a compliment to the writer then Moonstone's biggest critic actually likes a story. Smile

Ivan, what did you vote? From your review, it sound like "Average", but I am curious to know.
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Ivan · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 3948 Location: Norway

paul andreas wrote:

It should certainly be a compliment to the writer then Moonstone's biggest critic actually likes a story. Smile

Ivan, what did you vote? From your review, it sound like "Average", but I am curious to know.

Sorry, is not the votes meant to be secret??

I voted poor becasue this is not good enough to span 22 pages, sorry!

The votes is only for this part! I don't think it should be done that way, let us vote after the last part!!

Ivan

germ · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:49 am Post subject:

Ivan wrote:

Sorry, is not the votes meant to be secret??

I dont think it really matters to be honest...

Ivan wrote:

What about the tigers the Phantom is “working” with?

I dont think they are the baby ones he rescued but I tend to agree as the Tigers were a nice touch but I also was left a bit cold with that bit but the rest I enjoyed.
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Ivan · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 3948 Location: Norway

germ wrote:

Ivan wrote:

What about the tigers the Phantom is “working” with?

I dont think they are the baby ones he rescued but I tend to agree as the Tigers were a nice touch but I also was left a bit cold with that bit but the rest I enjoyed.

If this was not the baby ones grown, then there is a need of an explanation. And if a script for a comic, as well as other thing, nedd to be explained it is not strong enough!

Why show the tree baby tigres then? The perous for that should be they got back as revengers later in the story, but as I said, a this is a bit foggy!!

Ivan

Paul Andreas · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 2246 Location: Norway

Ivan wrote:

Sorry, is not the votes meant to be secret??

Well, only if the voter wants them to be.
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Ivan · Major Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 3948 Location: Norway

germ wrote:

Ivan wrote:

Sorry, is not the votes meant to be secret??

I dont think it really matters to be honest...

Ivan wrote:

What about the tigers the Phantom is “working” with?

I dont think they are the baby ones he rescued but I tend to agree as the Tigers were a nice touch but I also was left a bit cold with that bit but the rest I enjoyed.

A good taste of "nothing"? (almost)!!

I saw at Doggy's forum that a US book has to be 22 pages! Well, that may be the case, but is there a rule for how much you are allowed to tell during these pages?

And what about the Tigres? Where is Mike these days? Perhaps over at Doggy and Moonstone where all the nice words are?? Wink

Ivan

Andreas · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:37 pm Post subject:

Ivan wrote:

I saw at Doggy's forum that a US book has to be 22 pages!

Perhaps over at Doggy and Moonstone where all the nice words are?? Wink

Who is "Doggy"? A friend of Dougy, perhaps?
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