Phantom creator Dean Rankine Australian Cartoonists Association cartoonist of the year finalist

The Australian Cartoonists Associtaion (ACA) has released their 2026 finalists for the cartoonist of the year, which features Dean Rankine. While Dean Rankine is more known for his work on popular titles like Simpsons and Futurama comics, he has also worked on five Phantom stories.

The awards night is held in Sydney on October 31 2026.

The five stories are:

1. "Life Blood" written by Dean Rankine and illustrated by Jeremy MacPherson. First published in Frew #1908 (2021)

2. "Undergrowth" written by Dean Rankine and illustrated by Ivan Rodriguez. First published in Frew #1952 (2023)

3. "The Box" written by Dean Rankine and illustrated by Jeremy MacPherson. First published in Frew #1952 (2023)

4. "Creature from the Black" written by Dean Rankine and illustrated by Marcelo Baez. First published in Frew #1988 (2025)

Past winners of the awards who have Phantom credits are:

• Paul Mason 2025 winner of the comic book artist.

• Dean Rankine and Paul Mason joint 2024 winner of the comic book artist.

• Gary Chaloner 2023 winner of the comic book artist.

• Paul Mason 2022 winner of the comic book artist.

• Glenn Lumsden 2021 winner of the comic book artist.

• Glenn Lumsden 2020 winner of the comic book artist.

• Glenn Lumsden 2019 winner of the comic book artist.

• Glenn Lumsden 2016 winner of the comic book artist.