King Features Syndicate Releases Tony DePaul as Phantom Strip Writer; Alex Segura Takes the Reins
In a significant development for Phantom phans around the world, King Features Syndicate (KFS) has released Tony DePaul from his position as writer of The Phantom daily and Sunday newspaper strips.
Stepping into the role is acclaimed novelist and comic-book writer Alex Segura, marking the beginning of a new chapter for our legendary hero. No further details regarding the circumstances of the transition have been announced; it is not yet clear whether Tony will complete the stories he is currently working on or if his scripts will be left for Alex to finish.
Either way, there is no doubt that the change ends one of the longest and most influential writing tenures in modern Phantom history.
End of an Era
Few creators have left a larger mark on The Phantom than Tony DePaul. Following the death of creator Lee Falk in 1999 and after a brief intermediary stint from Claes Reimerthi, Tony was selected to continue writing the newspaper strip, a responsibility he carried for more than a quarter of a century.
He had already established himself within the Phantom universe through his extensive work for Scandinavian publisher Egmont's Fantomen comic books, where he began writing Phantom adventures in the mid1990s.
A lifelong Phantom fan who first discovered the character as a child in Philadelphia, DePaul brought a deep appreciation of Phantom history and mythology to the role. Prior to becoming a full-time freelance writer, he spent more than two decades working as a newspaper journalist before taking over the newspaper adventures of the Ghost Who Walks.
For many modern fans, DePaul's writing became synonymous with The Phantom. During his tenure, Tony penned 70 Daily and 39 Sunday stories, guiding the character through the 21st century while preserving many of the traditions established by Falk.
His stories frequently explored Phantom lore, the history of the Walker line, and the mythology of Bangalla, earning him widespread respect among readers and publishers alike. At the same time, Tony was not afraid to court controversy and test the boundaries of accepted Phantom tropes, famously showing his face for the first and only time in Phantom’s End (August 15-26, 2022). With sagas such as The Death of Diana Palmer and To Wrack and Ruins at Gravelines, Tony was not afraid to write extended and complex plots that captured readers for years at a time.
On a positive note, Tony can now put aside a concern that he has expressed more than once in his blog “The Nickels of the Man” - he knows now that The Phantom strips won’t go out of production on his watch. And, with his bookend stories covering both the origin of the 1st Phantom (1536, Sunday 197, February-September 2026) and the death of the 21st Phantom (Phantom’s End, Daily 261, April-October 2022), Tony can stand down from his watch secure in the knowledge that he has provided a level of completion for the character.
Despite this, his sudden departure marks one of the most significant creative changes in decades.
‘A New Shadow’
Taking over as writer is Alex Segura, an award-winning novelist, comic-book writer, and editor whose profile has risen dramatically in recent years. Segura is best known for his mystery novel Secret Identity, which won the 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller, along with extensive work for Marvel, DC Comics, and other major publishers. Born in Miami and the son of Cuban exiles, Segura will no doubt be seeking to breathe new life into the Phantom universe.
Many phans will already be familiar with Segura's work. He recently co-wrote "Phantom 2040: A New Shadow", the Comics Kingdom digital webcomic revival of the classic futuristic Phantom concept, alongside Michael Moreci. The series introduces a new generation of readers to the Phantom universe while demonstrating Segura's ability to balance established lore with fresh storytelling ideas.
Like DePaul, Segura also began his career as a journalist before moving into comics publishing, where he held senior roles with DC Comics, Archie Comics, and Oni Press. Alongside his prose work, he has written titles including Star Wars: Battle of Jakku, Spider-Society, The Question: All Along the Watchtower, and the acclaimed Pete Fernandez mystery series.
His existing connection to the Phantom franchise through Phantom 2040 makes him a logical choice to continue the newspaper strip while potentially introducing new ideas and perspectives to Falk's enduring creation.
Recently, we were lucky enough to chat with Segura in X-Band: The Phantom Podcast Episode #346. Below is the YouTube video of that chat. You can tell he has an understanding and love for the character.
The Phantom is Dead ~ Long Live The Phantom
The transition from Tony DePaul to Alex Segura represents a rare changing of the guard for one of comics' longest-running adventure features. DePaul's contribution to The Phantom over the past quarter century is difficult to overstate, having effectively served as steward of the character's newspaper adventures for an entire generation of readers.
Phans’ eyes will now turn to Segura as he assumes responsibility for one of the most iconic characters in comic-strip history. As the only third permanent writer for the strip in its 95-year history, and with so many phans regarding this context as the original and so the one true lore, he has enormous shoes to fill and a great responsibility to bear.
Whether Alex chooses to maintain the established direction of the strip or introduce a distinctly new vision, his appointment ensures that The Phantom enters its next era under the guidance of a creator who has already demonstrated both respect for the character and enthusiasm for expanding his world.
For Phantom phans worldwide, a new chapter begins today.
Our next X-Band: The Phantom Podcast, we will be doing an emergency discussion on this huge news, if you have any thoughts you would like to share and be read out and discussed, please send them through to us.
