The critically acclaimed, best selling complete reprint of The Phantom continues from US publisher Hermes Press, with The Phantom: The Complete Newspaper Dailies Volume 21 now available to pre-order from the publisher. The collections reach the strip’s landmark 100th story with this release: “Jungle Olympics”, written by Lee Falk and drawn by Sy Barry, was first published in 1968.
Referred to by comic strip historian Maurice Horn as the “granddaddy of all costumed superheroes,” The Phantom was created in 1936 by Lee Falk with artwork by Sy Barry. The strip hit the funny pages of newspapers well before the Dark Knight or Superman made their first appearances and has been acknowledged as an influence on every “masked man of mystery” since.
The Phantom – one of the few remaining adventure strips still published today through King Features Syndicate – set the standard for action, adventure, intrigue, and romance in adventure comic strips and comic books. It has frequently been copied but never equalled.
The Phantom: The Complete Newspaper Dailies Volume 21 continues the Sy Barry years, featuring a number of complete stories first published in the US between 1968 and 1970: “Jungle Olympics” (the 100th Phantom story, published 22nd January – 4th May 1968), “The Frame-Up” (6th May – 6th July 1968), “The Hydra” (8th July – 12th October 1968), “The Art Thieves” (14th October 1968 – 8th February 1969), “The Masked Ball” (10th February – 22nd March 1969), “The Jungle Home” (24th March – 21st June 1969), “Rex, the Missing Heir” (23rd June – 24th October 1969) and “The Gladiator” (6th October 1989 – 17th January 197).
Strips from this issue are taken directly from King Feature’s proofs, and the volume includes a comprehensive essay and documentary materials.
• Check out past The Phantom Dailies: The Complete Newspaper Dailies here on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, US Comics
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