What American comic book readers SHOULD know about The Phantom part 1

For those who came in late...

On Free Comic Book Day, fans who visited their local shop were greeted with a cover featuring a domino mask-wearing, purple clad-hero with The Phantom #0. For many American comic readers, this would be their first introduction to The Phantom. For those same readers, it’s easy to overlook yet another costumed crusader in a market saturated with titles featuring similar-looking characters. But he shouldn’t be overlooked. And here's why...

In this series of essays, we’ll explore The Phantom’s rich history, his world, and the unique characters that have crossed paths with this figure. Consider this essay your starting point, and keep your eyes on this space for more. 

The Phantom #0 cover art by Greg Smallwood

What’s old is new again

In 2026, The Phantom will turn 90 years old. That’s 90 years of serialized pulp adventures and 90 years of action, adventure, heart, and changing social mores.

Generations of fans have grown up on The Phantom’s unwavering commitment to "to the destruction of piracy, greed, cruelty, and injustice." Some were introduced to the Ghost Who Walks through the ongoing newspaper strips. Others first became fans through Avon pulp novels or comic book reprints of classic adventures. 

For comic book readers of a certain age, their first introduction was through a 1996 cinematic adaptation starring Billy Zane or one of the handful of animated adaptations in the 80s and 90s. Outside the screen, the character has often been adapted, reinvented, or reintroduced to audiences by way of various comic book series from a slew of publishers. These publishers range from independents like Moonstone Books or Dynamite Entertainment to cultural icons like Marvel or DC Comics. 

Mad Cave Studios, a rising independent publisher in the comic book community, is the latest to take a crack at The Man Who Cannot Die, launching a brand-new series (The Phantom #1 is currently available) this year.

Watch our review of The Phantom #1 below

The Phantom’s shadow is larger than many American readers realize

To the modern generation of American comic book readers, the purple-clad protector of Bangalla is relatively new, despite being the originator of a subgenre dominated by tights, capes, and superpowers. For the uninitiated, it’s easy to compare the resourceful, cunning, and globe-trotting Kit Walker to a character like Bruce Wayne. But this is an incorrect assumption. Rather, one could argue that it’s the other way around.

Yes, The Phantom’s origins predate comic book superheroes. Lee Falk’s newspaper strip debuted on February 17, 1936, which is more than a year before Superman graced the comic book page on April 18, 1938. Batman wouldn’t arrive on store shelves until March 30, 1939.

In the lexicon of pulp heroes, Phantom is the first to strike fear in the hearts of criminals with an unforgettable costume. Part of this is due to the theatrical nature of the character, who often resorts to clever tricks and cunning in lieu of physical violence. Because The Phantom is a living legend who has protected Bangalla for centuries, these tricks and theatrics add to the mystique and power behind his namesake. He’s very much a mortal man, but his legacy is immortal. 

From pulp strip to international notoriety

In 1936, Lee Falk introduced The Phantom a few panels at a time in daily newspaper strips. The first adventure, “The Singh Brotherhood,” introduced readers to a pulp world that had everything—globe-trotting adventure, secret underwater bases, death traps, fist-fights, and a love interest in the form of world-renown adventurer Diana Palmer. Though The Phantom and Diana would eventually marry and have a family of their own, their early days were rife with missed connections and a will-they/won’t-they subplot that would rival Jim and Pam (of The Office fame).

This first story also introduced one of The Phantom’s biggest and most powerful foes—The Singh Brotherhood. 

This criminal organization, like The Phantom, goes back centuries. Its history with The Phantom is deeply interwoven, as Singh pirates were the ones who attacked a European vessel in the 16th century, killing all but one. This sole survivor and son of the captain of the ship, Chris / Kit Walker, would find his way to shore. Swearing an oath on the skull of his father’s murderer, he became the first in a long line of Walkers to become The Phantom. 

The Phantom's oath as appeared in 1936. Art by Ray Moore

Much of this lore, including the Singh Brotherhood’s centuries-old connection to The Phantom, would be added to the mythos much later. What readers found in the early tales of The Phantom was a gripping, pulse-pounding storyline that delivered high-stakes adventure, tantalizing cliffhangers, and drama. 

It wasn’t just American readers who were gripped by The Phantom. The Australian Woman’s Mirror was the first Australian publication to print The Phantom in 1936. Italian readers, as well, could find Lee Falk’s strip in the pages of L’Avventuroso that same year.

As the years passed, The Phantom would find himself published in an increasing number of newspapers worldwide. During World War II, stories of the character were smuggled into Nazi-occupied Norway, and his heroism according to stories became a rallying cry for the local resistance. It wasn’t just Norway either; Allied soldiers introduced The Phantom to the people of Papua New Guinea. To this day, The Phantom’s face and iconography can be found on Papuan ceremonial shields and other works of art. 

After World War II, The Phantom would find himself in new titles like Fantomen, published by Semic and then Egmont Publications in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. Similarly, several publications in India would introduce the character in the 1950s and 60s. Arguably one of the biggest publishers of The Phantom would be found in Australia. Frew Publications released its first Phantom book in 1948 and has kept the character in continuous circulation since. As American appreciation of the character waned, Aussie and Swedish fans were of the many worldwide fans who championed the character and introduced new ideas to the mythos. 

A protector in purple tights

On May 28, 1939, The Phantom would appear in color in his first Sunday strip. Lee Falk originally intended a gray color for the costume, the purple stuck. There are plenty of theories on how the purple was introduced - the truth is likely lost to time.

While purple is the main color associated with The Phantom, it’s not the only one. Supposedly due to printing technology limitations, The Phantom was depicted as blue in Scandinavia. In Italy, Turkey, and Brazil, the character historically sported a red outfit. In New Zealand, The Phantom was once a brown-suited character. 

A crowded superhero market

At the character’s peak, The Phantom was published in hundreds of newspapers around the world and drew over 100 million readers a day. While international markets continued to reprint daily strips and create their own original tales with the character, declining newspaper readership and a crowded pulp comic market took its toll on The Ghost Who Walks in the United States. 

As comic books grew in popularity, readers familiarized themselves with other heroes. Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and others seized hold of readers’ attention. The costumed hero who arguably created a subgenre of entertainment took a backseat in the landscape he defined. He wouldn’t be the only crime-fighter and pulp adventurer of his generation to struggle with a changing landscape. Characters like Dick Tracy, The Shadow, and Flash Gordon were among those who inspired new creators to contribute their own heroes to an ever-evolving stable of mythos and pulp. 

Over the years, many publishers have licensed the character for publication. Big Little Books was the first company to adapt Phantom stories in more of a traditional book format. This would be followed up in 1972 by Avon Publications, which famously produced 15 novels, some of which were written by Lee Falk. 

In 1962, Gold Key adapted The Phantom in true comic book format. These ran for 15 years, during which time Gold Key became King Comics, and King Comics became Charlton Comics. During the King Comics years, Phantom stories were used as a way to improve literacy for children, where definitions of bigger words were included, so younger readers could expand their vocabulary. 

Both Marvel and DC Comics famously took a crack at the character as well. Marvel published a Phantom miniseries, as well as two miniseries for Defenders of the Earth and Phantom 2040, both of which were adapted from the animated TV shows of the same name. 

Of the two companies, DC Comics arguably had better success. What started as a brief miniseries by writer Peter David (of The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man 2099 fame) and artists Joe Orlando and Dennis Janke evolved into a longer series with writer Mark Verheiden (listen to an interview with him talking about the series) at the helm. 

The Phantom (1996) starring Billy Zane

The 90’s and beyond

In 1996, The Phantom movie became the next in line of pulp hero film adaptation. Previous adaptations included Dick Tracy, The Shadow, and The Rocketeer.

While opinions of the movie vary greatly, it didn’t resonate with enough audiences to spawn a sequel. Similarly, the Phantom 2040 animated series ran for two seasons (1994-1996) before fading (wrongfully) from the American zeitgeist. 

Though that seems to be the prevailing view, for many Phantom fans, these two adaptations were their first introduction to the character. A few years later, they would satiate their desire for more Phantom stories when indie publisher Moonstone Books debuted their The Phantom series in 2002. 

Between Moonstone in the early to late 00s and Dynamite Entertainment in the early 2010s, Phantom fans could find their hero in semi-regular publication outside of the newspaper strip (which to this day, is still running and adding new mythos to the canon). 

Which canon is the “True” canon?

Because The Phantom has had original stories published around the world, it’s generally accepted that the nearly 90 year-old newspaper strip is the “official” canon. However, that doesn’t mean his many incarnations don’t have value! Some of the absolute best Phantom stories can be found in books put out by Fantomen, Moonstone, andFrew, which has seen their lore introduced into the newspaper stories.

Currently, Mad Cave Studios is the latest to take a crack at bringing The Ghost Who Walks to new comic book readers in the United States. While we’re not certain where this new incarnation takes place in the canon, we can be almost certain that Writer Ray Fawkes and Artist Russell Mark Olson will recontextualize the character and take him to new places readers have never seen him before. 

We’ve already seen an update to The Bandar, a pygmy tribe that protects The Phantom’s secret and are loyal friends. Similarly, Guran, one of The Phantom’s closest confidants and allies, has been given a new, modernized look in this latest series. 

Defenders of the Earth recently was revived by Mad Cave Studios for an 8-issue miniseries. A follow-up series is planned for December 2025. Not to be outdone, Phantom 2040 has also been revived by newspaper comic strip platform Comics Kingdom, with new episodes coming out weekly in a scrollable webcomic format.

Reviews of all these comics and stories will be included on our website, YouTube channel and other platforms.

Why should American readers embrace The Phantom?

Even more than Batman, the character has inspired millions of people around the globe to look out for each other, help those in need, and fight greed and injustice in all its forms. From The Phantom’s face on ceremonial shields to the latest comic issue in a child’s hands, his oath has echoed and resonated around the world. Like the people The Phantom has helped save over the years, he’s a force for all. Creators from all over the world have taken inspiration from Lee Falk’s creation and have brought their own ideas, cultures, and experiences to the character.

Simply put, The Phantom is a true original and is arguably one of the greatest exports from the United States.

His heroism, bravery, and resolve can unite fans from around the world, and in our darkest hours, appreciation of The Phantom fosters connections that extend well beyond a country’s borders. When you take solace and inspiration from The Ghost Who Walks, you’re tapping into a network that knows no boundary. And if you are wondering where to start, check out your local comic shop, or explore this list.