Review: The Phantom Vs. The Sky Band
From Mad Cave Studios
Spinning out of the previous adventures, The Phantom Vs. The Sky Band is out now from Mad Cave Studios.
THE PHANTOM’S JUSTICE IS SWIFT AND ETERNAL!
The Sky Band entered the Phantom’s domain when they took blood money to carry the Singh Brotherhood into Bangalla. They thought their helicopters would make them untraceable, immune.
Now the mercenaries-for-hire will face the Phantom’s wrath. Those who survive…will be irreparably MARKED.
Author: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Federico Sabbatini
As a follow-up to his most recent run of adventures, The Phantom vs The Sky Band lands exactly where you’d want it to. It builds naturally on what’s come before while still feeling like a complete and satisfying story in its own right. Throwing The Phantom up against the Sky Band is a great choice—they’re not just a generic group of villains, but a collection of individuals, each bringing their own distinct abilities and challenges to the table. That variety keeps the encounters fresh and forces The Phantom to constantly adapt, rather than relying on a single approach.
What really stands out, though, is how this story doesn’t just expand the world around The Phantom—it deepens him as a character. As he works his way through the Sky Band, you get a stronger sense of what drives him, what he stands for, and how seriously he takes the role he’s inherited. There’s a weight to his actions here that goes beyond simply stopping criminals; it’s about maintaining a legacy and reinforcing the idea of The Phantom as something larger than one man.
The progression through the Sky Band members is handled really well, giving us a steady stream of action without it ever feeling repetitive. Each confrontation has its own flavour, and there’s a real sense of momentum as he closes in on the leader. A key part of that is the use of his ring—the mark he leaves behind becomes more than just a calling card. It carries a psychological edge, and the reactions to it really sell that. It’s not just about defeat; it’s about what that mark represents, and how it lingers with those who receive it. That added layer makes those moments hit harder than a standard victory.
Interestingly, for a story centred around airborne enemies, the adventure itself feels surprisingly grounded. It doesn’t rely purely on high-flying spectacle; instead, it brings the action down to earth—and even into the water at one point—which helps keep things varied and tangible. That balance works in the story’s favour, making the stakes feel more immediate while still delivering on the promise of facing off against a group like the Sky Band.
The action sequences are a real highlight throughout. They’re clear, dynamic, and easy to follow, with each set piece building on the last. The artwork plays a huge role in that, perfectly matching the tone of the story. Whether it’s the intensity of the fights or the quieter, more character-driven moments, the visuals consistently reinforce what’s happening on the page and keep everything flowing smoothly.
By the time it all wraps up, you get a strong sense of closure on this particular conflict, but there’s also a subtle tease of what’s coming next. It’s a nice touch—nothing too heavy-handed, just enough to keep you curious about where The Phantom’s path leads from here.
Overall, it’s a clever, well-paced adventure that balances action with character work, while continuing to build on the mythology in a meaningful way.
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
