“Phantom of the Opera #3” Review – Haunting Masterfully

The Phantom strikes again, his plan for Christine being set even more into motion as the police become desperate to catch their most sought-after criminal. Who will be the first to succeed? Find out right alongside me as we go through Tyler Boss’ “Universal Monsters: Phantom of the Opera #3!”

Writer: Tyler Boss
Artist & Colorist: Martin Simmonds
Letterer: Becca Carey

Writing to Die For

If you’ve read the last two issues of Boss’ “Phantom of the Opera,” let me rest your worries by saying that the excellent writing doesn’t stop here. At no point does anything let up, as the pacing keeps things tense and controlled. As the story goes on, it’s become more and more clear that the Phantom is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. It feels almost as if Tyler Boss and the Phantom are one, getting inside our heads, toying with our thoughts and feelings. If you never feared the Phantom before, you will now.

The best place that this shows is where we get some backstory on our titular character. I won’t go into detail but trust me when I say that the details are juicy. Much like Boss feels like the Phantom, we’re made to feel like the police, finding out info just as they are. Slowly peeling back the layers to the heart.

Artistic Integrity

If there’s anything that further enhances the experience of reading this run, it’s the insane artwork from Martin Simmonds. His style commands not just the page, but the eyes of the reader. There’s one page in particular that really stands out to me here, and if you know “Phantom of the Opera”, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s so disturbing and detailed, yet in the most beautiful way. The use of color from dark red to black and light blue in the painted aesthetic is simply breathtaking. The coloring and aesthetic coupled with the insane realistic detail is something truly unmatched.

Final Thoughts – 10/10

Tyler Boss and Martin Simmonds have come together to create an absolute masterclass in how to do horror. Boss created a beast, perfectly adapting a gothic classic for modern audiences. If you aren’t yet reading this, you need to be!

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Comments

Are you reading “Phantom of the Opera?” Are you a fan of the source material or of Tyler Boss? Let’s discuss in the comments below!