Are we getting two more one-shots after 'The Phantom vs. The Sky-Band'?

The first 5-issue arc for The Phantom by Mad Cave Studios wrapped up in February 2026. While there was no 6th issue planned, Ray Fawkes, the writer behind the first 5 issues, was set to continue with The Phantom vs. The Sky Band #1, alongside artist Federico Sabbatini, colorist Juancho Velez, and letterer Taylor Esposito.

In The Phantom vs. The Sky Band #1, the titular hero would battle against the gang of aerial bandits, who were first introduced in November 1936. In Mad Cave Studios' current iteration of The Phantom, the Sky Band pilots were shown working alongside the Singh Brotherhood in the first 5-issue arc.

After The Phantom vs. The Sky Band #1 debuts on April 22, 2026, there seemed to be no further plans to expand upon this new world the creative team was building... until now.

Book publisher Simon & Schuster just listed a deluxe hardcover for The Phantom Vol. 1, which collects The Phantom vs. The Sky Band #1 and two other, unnamed one-shots from Mad Cave Studios that we can only presume are releasing sometime after April.

The Phantom Vol. 1 Deluxe Hardcover from Simon & Schuster will release on December 15, 2026

From the Simon & Schuster listing:

A new hardcover collection including three exhilarating one-shots written by Ray Fawkes! This volume comes with designed endpapers, exclusive "making of" content, and a full-page cover gallery for true enthusiasts. New hardcover treatment collecting Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson's full run, with exclusive behind-the-scenes material! THE GHOST WALKS AGAIN! The Phantom returns! Created by Lee Falks in 1936, the Phantom is one of the first costumed superheroes in history, with untold influence on pop culture. Now, critically-acclaimed creators Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson revive the character for fans old and new. When a violent gang of smugglers stumbles on an idyllic Bandar village, the peace that the Phantom has brought to the African nation of Bangalla will suddenly shatter. It will take all of the Phantom’s many skills — and allies — to restore it. The most exciting series of the year starts here!

This listing also tells us that Russell Olson, the artist behind the first 5-issue arc The Phantom from Mad Cave Studios will be reuniting with Ray Fawkes for (presumably) at least one of these one-shot stories. Other artists include Federico Sabbatini and Lynne Yoshii.

While this deluxe hardcover is listed as "Volume 1," it's not to be confused with The Phantom Vol. 1 trade paperback set to release on July 14, 2026. Whereas that volume collects the 5-issue miniseries, this hardcover collects all three planned one-shots.

What Does This Mean?

Good news for The Phantom's stint at Mad Cave Studios, we hope. The fact that we have TWO volume 1 collections coming out suggests that there are more storylines planned for this character. We can only presume that the creative team at Mad Cave Studios is looking to build out their Phantom universe with more multi-issue storylines, as well as one-shots, that grow upon the foundation established in the first 5-issue run. There are a lot of story threads to follow, and with the way The Phantom #5 ended, it truly feels like a rich new world is carefully being pieced together.

Furthermore, if the company's handling of pulp newspaper strip contemporaries like Flash Gordon or Dick Tracy is any indication, wherein each character has a primary book with the occasional one-shot or quarterly title, we can hopefully anticipate more Phantom stories being worked on behind the scenes, with maybe a more consistent release schedule in the coming year.

You can find more details about Simon & Schuster's release schedule on their Phantom series page. For information from Mad Cave Studios, check out their hub page for The Phantom as well.