Recording of Sy Barry talking the Phantom & retirement when visiting Australia in September 1998
- ChronicleChamber Team
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
The recording is not the best, but enjoy listening to Sy Barry from almost 30 years ago when he visited Australia for the first time in September 1998 with his wife Simmy Barry.
In the video, he talks about the following:
How long it takes him to draw a daily and Sunday newspaper strip.
How the Phantom is uncorrupted over the years.
How his life changed after retirement.
What he is doing after retirement.
His thoughts on Australia.
His work on the 99.94 print set of 21 generations of the Phantom plus Julie and the future 22nd Phantom.
Painting the Phantom in oils on canvas.
He visited Australia to celebrate his 99.94 print he drew for Dietmar Lederwasch. While visiting Australia, he attended the comic convention OZCON7 in Sydney. According to reports, Sy and Simmy (Sy's wife) were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response they received from Phantom Phans wherever they went.
The third print of the series depicts the 6th Phantom in his 17th-century costume with muscats in his holsters, emerging from the Skull Cave, and brandishing a sabre in the air. The 6th Phantom is remembered as the founder of The Jungle Patrol, and this aspect of history is commemorated by the painting. Behind The Phantom, perched in the clouds, are the first four commanding officers: (left to right) Major Bart, Colonel Redbeard, Major Crusher, and Major Salla ... all of them ex-pirates.
Sy's final oil painting is shown along with the watercolour version prepared prior to the oil painting. It's interesting to note some major differences between the two versions, such as the clouds behind the Jungle Patrollers and the design of their uniform, the dust cloud and shadow behind The Phantom, and Phantom Head Peak in the background.
Sy Barry summarised his involvement in this project at his cocktail party, held at Customs House, Newcastle:
"When Dietmar called me for the very first time, many months ago, and began to relate this project of his to me I must admit I thought he was spaced-out!! He described 400 prints here, 400 prints there, 21 paintings here plus 4 paintings there ... 25 different artists ... I thought this was a prank! But as he continued, I actually began to believe him and then to like the idea ... thinking maybe the little green men will be calling on me soon! However, it didn't take long for me to realize the truly rational and wonderful concept it was. I soon accepted the commission to paint one of The Phantoms. Now to decide which one ... well, having drawn The Phantom for 33 years, one Phantom had to remain my favourite above the rest ... the 6th Phantom!!! The reason for this choice is because this story offered me the toughest challenges ... creating these four pirates that The Phantom challenges individually to duels. Big Bart, a duel with axes; Salla with blades; Cruncher [sic] with bare fists; and finally Redbeard with sword and dagger, defeating them all and offering them their lives. In return they had to serve him as their lieutenants in the newly formed Jungle Patrol. At the same time he was successful in rescuing Queen Natala of Navarre ... Redbeard's captive. Phantom falls in love with her and later in the story she proposes to him and with some encouragement from his lieutenants, he accepts. Working out the problems of illustrating the fight sequences between Phantom and his combatants was truly gratifying. It was with the feeling of nostalgia and excitement that I tackled this painting and enjoyed every brush stroke. Thanks, Dietmar, for giving me this opportunity, and Simmy and I want to thank you and Julia for your warm hospitality."
Originally the print series was going to see multiple generations of Phantoms, but due to a few circumstances, only seven were created.
The 14th Phantom by Birgitte Hansen
The 5th Phantom by Barry Dean
The 6th Phantom by Sy Barry
The 22nd Phantom by Paul Newton
The 15th Phantom by Rosemary Valadon
The 2nd Phantom by Fred Fredericks
The 20th Phantom by Frantz Kantor
More about Dietmar Lederwasch & his 99.94 prints
Back in 2020, Dietmar Lederwasch of "99.94 Editions" and the 2014-2017 Phantom Art Gallery fame joined us for X-Band: The Phantom Podcast #157. Dietmar is a super phan who has lived the majority of every phans dreams by producing their own licensed Phantom products.
In this podcast Dietmar goes into great detail about "The Phantom Portrait Gallery" as well as the two "Masterworks" collections he produced in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He then shows us around his house, which is covered in original Phantom and fine art of the Phantom. We recommend watching via YouTube, as you will get a better representation of what he has around his house. We did experience some recording issues, but please bear with us; you won't be disappointed.
