Lightning Strike Comic Books has announced the cover as well as some of the contents and artists for their Dublin Comic Con 80th Anniversary Comic. The cover features the Phantom walking down a crypt like area of I am assuming his Skull Cave with the past Phantoms profiles looking at him, its very modern and the style almost looks like it was done by a computer. Art by Basil Lim and text design by Robin Jones. As detailed in an extensive interview by Comic Mix, the comic itself will feature previously published comic strips, including The Phantom’s origin strip from May 1939, material on the history of The Phantom, his creator Lee Falk and an article on King Features Syndicate. There will also be original comic strips created by local artists featuring the work of: Cian Tormey, Johnny McMonagle, Arif Iqbal, David McDonagh, Karl Orowe, Simon Hall, Roisin Young, Basil Lim, Vanessa Ronan, Ashwin Chacko, Derek Keogh, Sean Hill, John O’Reilly, Jerry Higgins, Sinead O’Neill, John Fitzwilliam and Dave Williams. The project will be edited by Lightning Strike Comics Publisher Eoin McAuley. The full story line-up for the original comic strips and their authors, featured in the ‘Phantom 80th Anniversary Special’ for Dublin Comic Con. Featured are: ‘The Magician’s Hoard’ by Sean Hill. ‘The Collector’ by Jerry Higgins. ‘The Wolf Who Walks’, ‘Pirates of the Ether’ and ‘Trouble at Sea’ by John O’Reilly. ‘On The Phantom’s Trail’ by Derek Keogh. It is looking like an amazing comic which still is only available via the comic convention in Ireland on August 6th and 7th. They have also produced a quick 5 second 3D render of the Phantoms face which you can see here. We have included a screenshot of it (left). #DublinComicCon #80th #LightningStrikeComics

Bradford Exchange has released a new print to celebrate The Phantom's 80th Anniversary with art by Glenn Ford for a cost of $499.95AU. It has been a bit quiet down at Bradford Exchange the last year or so but they have come back with a bang with this print that is available for pre order with delivery in August 2016. You may notice the new Glenn Ford design is a direct copy from one of the Women’s Mirror covers that where the first Australian Phantom comic books. To buy you can go to their website. Below is Bradford’s descriptive text on this print: There are certain things in life that you can always count on: the sun rising in the morning, The Bradford Exchange offering you the world’s finest limited editions and The Phantom™ thrilling millions of readers daily. He’s been doing that for eighty action-packed years. Introducing “The Phantom 80th Anniversary Gallery Edition Print,” a celebration of Lee Falk’s greatest legacy which is set to become a prized edition for just 499 fans in Australia and New Zealand. Glenn Ford’s 12-year stewardship of the Australian edition of The Phantom comic created a golden age of adventures. A lifelong fan, Glenn was perfectly positioned to create the ultimate celebration…with a uniquely Aussie spin. The covers sit magnificently alongside specially commissioned art from Glenn which truly captures the heroic mystique of the 500-year old Ghost Who Walks™. Meticulously hand-crafted by our master printers and framers, the montage is faithfully rendered in fade-resistance inks ensuring a lifetime of vibrancy. It is preserved under a crystal-clear, museum-style cover. The black matting adds richness and depth. This sophisticated presentation is a spectacular 59cm high by 48cm wide including its dramatic, black frame. Equally impressive is the pure-silver layered medallion which we commissioned to accent Glenn’s contribution to the edition. It gleams as only silver can and contrasts Glenn’s art brilliantly. The medallion is yours FREE when you acquire the edition today! Laminated for protection, it’s also a stunning work of art in its own right because it offers you a concise biography of Lee Falk as well as reproducing those five landmark covers and the stories they featured. Fascinating on its own, it completes the edition in spectacular style. Behind the frame is the all-important Certificate of Authenticity. Be one of just 499 fans to own the hand-signed and hand-numbered print. Pre order for expected delivery in August 2016! The Phantom 80th Anniversary Gallery Edition Print. Crafted and framed to a true gallery standard with never before seen Glenn Ford Art. Delivered with a silver-layered medallion and full colour certificate. #BradfordExchange #GlennFord #80th

Comic Reflections, a podcast about all things Silver and Bronze age in the world of comics, have dedicated a whole episode on the Phantoms 80th Anniversary. You can listen to it here or download it on your iTunes/ Android devices. They talk about the Hermes Free comic books, the history of the character, his importance, and also why he is not the popular hero he should be. Thanks to Ohm for the heads up about this. #Podcast #80th

Now that the excitement of the opening is over, we can have a more sedate look around the Phantom Art Show as it appears at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. Curators Peter Kingston and Dietmar Lederwasch have really put together a marvellous display of all things Phantom, with a clear and obvious focus on two of the first (and many would say, greatest) Phantom artists: Ray Moore and Wilson McCoy. Visitors to the Gallery are greeted by a pair of life-size Jungle Patrol figures, created by Dietmar himself. Once you enter the gallery, one of the first thing that jumps out is how imposing and impressive somepieces are, through sheer size as much as anything. Charles Blackman's They say he is over 400 years old, nearly 2m square and one of the first things you see as you enter the room. Dick Frizzell's Grieving Phantom (used for the front cover of the Art Show catalogue and much of the Show's advertising) is about the same size, as is Euan McLeod's Father of the Phantom (below). But size is not everything, and these pieces are just magnificent representations of our hero. So too is the PNG war shield, owned by a private collector and originating from the Wahgi tribe. Some pieces, such as Glenn Morgan's The Phantom Kicks Arse Down Under (below) - with Michael Leunig's Your Prime Ministership is Incompetent in the background of the shot - are unashamedly political. Others are more whimsical, such as Peter Kingston's chess set (left) or the many movable dioramas (below) that are interactive and fun for even the youngest phan - as this father of a 6 year old can attest! A wide range of media are used in these interpretations. Along with the dioramas there are the paintings and drawings that one would expect in an art exhibition (oils, pastels, inks, pencil, and many more styles than this particular philistine knows about!), but also wooden sculptures and cut-outs, ceramics, tin, lamps, telephones ... everything is here. Even audio-visuial multi-media is represented, with Peter Kingston's "Phantom" movie Fanta, filmed and produced in the mid-1970's is playing on a loop in a side room. You can watch this yourself in the video below. There's no doubt that not everyone is going to like everything that is in the Show. Some pieces are confronting and perhaps even a little disturbing for some phans, in a way that suggests this is an exhibition designed for general art lovers as much as it is for devotees of the purple-clad comic strip hero. However, with over 40 artists represented and wildly varying interpretations of the character, this was always going to be the case. There is little doubt though that for every piece you don't like, there will be dozens you do. Pieces that make you think, pieces that make you laugh, pieces that make you green with envy as you wonder how you could get that home and where you would find the wall space to hang it. This author would heartily encourage anyone who can to see the Art Show as it tours around Australia. It really is something Phantom you just will not see anywhere else. You can take a short virtual tour of the Toowoomba version of The Phantom Art Show by watching the video below: And for those who just can't get to Toowoomba to see the Show, listen below to the X-Band podcast from the Toowoomba Art Show, where Dan walks and talks the Gallery with Gary Horne and Chris Hill, phans who travelled from Brisbane to see it. For a fuller look at all pieces that appeared at the Sydney show in December 2014, most of which continue to travel around Australia with the Show, please visit the Australian Gallery website. #ArtShow #RayMoore #WilsonMcCoy #Podcast #XBand #PeterKingston #DietmarLederwasch

Falkists vs Modernists. In this episode Steve moderates The Great Debate between Falkists and Modernists- That Lee Falk's Phantom is the One True Phantom. Jermayn takes the modernist's perspective and the boys are joined by Dan Fraser for the Falkists. Who will come out victorious? You be the judge! #XBand #Podcast #LeeFalk #KingFeaturesSyndicate #TeamFantomen #Egmont #Semic #Frew

The catalogue for The Phantom Art Show is truly a collector's item in itself. Printed in the style of a 40's era Frew comic, it is a treasure trove of information about the artists behind the artwork, but also about the original creators: Lee Falk, Ray Moore and Wilson McCoy. The opening editorial by Matthew Holle discusses the reason for the Art Show in the first place, and the appeal of the charater in general. Musings from key contributor Dick Frizzell justify his passion for McCoy's art and loathing of almost everything else, together with a piece by Dare Jennings that explains why he regrets meeting Lee Falk, are fascinating insights into the various mindsets that phans can have when considering The Phantom. However, mostly the catalogue is a wonderful collection of images far removed from anything comic book devotees will have seen before, as the images below attest. If for that reason only, The Phantom Art Show catalogue is a must have for any serious Phantom collector. While the Art Show curators would love for this to be complimentary for all visitors, there is the cold hard fact that it costs money to tour this magnificent collection, and so the catalogue is available for $5 at any of the exhibitions on the tour. #ArtShow #LeeFalk #RayMoore #WilsonMcCoy #PeterKingston #DietmarLederwasch

These days it seems every day we hear sad news about creators passing or getting sick and being stuck with mountains of medical bills. Sal Velluto is the latest name. Sal Velluto has produced a lot of Phantom work throughout the years. He has produced work for Egmont that has been featured around the world in Fantomen, Fantomet and Frew along with him recently finished the Hermes mini series. What is great is that several phans of Sal, his Phantom and his other work, have banded together and started several fundraisers to help him pay the bills associated with his illness. Salt Lake Comic Con has gathered several of the guests, giving away sketches and commissions with all funds being raised going to Sal's Go Fund Me campaign. Erik, a devoted Phantom phan, has also donated one of Sals covers for Egmont from his personal collection for an auction with all proceeds to go to the medical bills as well. It is great to see so many phans from around the world both Phantom phans and other fans giving to help a gentlemen of the comic book world. #SalVelluto #Egmont #Fantomen #Fantomet #Frew #HermesPress

Not many comic strip heroes can lay claim to a two-year travelling Art Show in their honour. Fewer still can say that their regional exhibitions were opened by a former Governor-General of Australia. On Sunday 5th June 2016, Dame Quentin Bryce and husband Michael graced the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery to officially open The Phantom Art Show exhibition. Curators Peter Kingston and Dietmar Lederwasch were among the 80-100 Toowoomba phans in attendance, and all were treated to entertaining speeches by both Michael and Dame Quentin. After an entertaining introduction by Toowoomba Regional Councillor Geoff McDonald, it was Michael who took to the microphone first. He began what seemed like a meandering exposition of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft, a fighter jet used by the American air force during the Vietnam War. Some in the crowd were starting to wonder if Michael realised exactly which Phantom he was here to talk about! Everything snapped into focus though, when Michael revealed that he had in fact met a mysterious American pilot who flew a F4 Phantom II and bore the name tag Christoher Walker. Had he, in fact, met The Phantom? Michael closed out his portion of the opening by presenting the curators with his own Phantom artwork - a rendition of the F4 Phantom II. Dame Quentin then took to the microphone, and she spoke with great aplomb about her memories of The Phantom. Remarkably thought, she almost took the curators to task for their lack of attention to Diana in the show - and with only a few pieces depicting the woman who has been at his side for 80 years, she may have had a point! Dame Quentin was firm in her assertion of Diana as a feminist role model and a strong character in her own right. It was only towards the end of her presentation that the penny dropped - Dame Quentin, the former Governor-General of Australia, had attended the opening of The Phantom Art Show in cosplay. Dame Quentin was dressed as Diana Palmer! Beautiful touches like this made the opening of the Art Show a delight to attend. However I must say I am looking forward to going back to the Art Gallery in the coming days and weeks without the crowd, giving me the time to enjoy the artworks in a little more peace and quiet. There are literally dozens and dozens of amazing Phantom art works to examine. Rest assured, there will be a ChronicleChamber article forthcoming at that time! #ArtShow #PeterKingston #DietmarLederwasch

The Phantom 2016 80th Anniversary 1oz Silver Phantom coin released by Perth Bullion Company is now available today on the 1st June 2016. Struck by the Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality, this “Phantasy coin” is denominated as 100 Bengalla Dollars. No more than 5,000 of the 2016 80th Anniversary – the Phantom – 1oz Silver “Phantasy Coins” will be released. DESIGN The reverse of this coloured coin features an image of the the Phantom and Devil running through the Deep Woods, with the Skull Cave in the background. The inscription THE PHANTOM also appears in the design. The obverse features an effigy of the Phantom, with the monetary denomination 100 Bengalla Dollars, the 2016 year-date and 80TH ANNIVERSARY, the weight and finesse, as well as famous descriptions of the Phantom, “RULER OF THE JUNGLE”, and “NEMESIS OF PIRATES & EVIL DOERS”. To the left and right of the Phantom are the good and bad marks features on his rings. Not only does the coin feature a coloured Phantom with the purple finishing it also comes in a display skull cave that holds the coin and withdraws from the skull to reveal the coin, and the coin and skulls eyes are illuminated. The skull is packaged within an illustrated shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. This looks a lot higher quality than the Bradford Exchange coins and only costs a fraction more of $135.00 (inc GST). Thank you to Monica at Perth Bullion Company who has kept us at ChronicleChamber up to date with the release information of this once-in-a-lifetime piece. Will you be getting one? #PerthBullion #BradfordExchange #80th

Purple, Red and Blue Pop! Vinyls... What colour is missing? The ‘traditional’ Grey version of course! Well not anymore with pre orders now available for a September release of the 80th Anniversary Grey Pop! Vinyl on the Popcultcha website for a price of $18.99. These have been very popular amongst Phans as discussed on Facebook and other mediums including the XBand podcast. One thing to notice is that the packaging has the official KFS 80th year logo on the packaging. I also like how the stripes on his undies are a matching colour. Official wording from the Popcultcha website: The Phantom – Ghost Who Walks (Grey Variant) Australian Exclusive Pop! Vinyl Figure A Funko Pop! Vinyl first, to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of The Phantom here in Australia, Popcultcha present this Grey Phantom Australian Exclusive Pop! Vinyl. Australia is the home of The Phantom and Popcultcha.com is the home of Pop! Vinyl. #PopVinyl #80th #Popcultcha

On the Lightning Strike Comic Books Facebook page they have announced that they will be selling a 80th Anniversary Comic at the Dublin Comic Con on August 6th and 7th. It does say that you have to be present to receive a comic with no online sales. If we at Chronicle Chamber find a way around it or find someone who will be there (hint hint Joe who now lives in England) we will let you know. We will also let you know when we see anymore information about the comic including sneak peaks etc. From their Facebook page: The Phantom 80th Anniversary Comic in celebration of Lee Falk’s Phantom turning 80 this year, Dublin Comic Con have been granted special permission by King Features Syndicate to produce an exclusive comic of the character to celebrate his anniversary. The comic will be available for sale only at Dublin Comic Con, taking place in the Convention Centre in Dublin on August 6th and 7th. All proceeds from sales of the comic will be donated in full to Tallaght Hospital’s Children Ward, Temple Street Children’s Hospital and Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin. The comic itself will feature previously published comic strips, material on the history of The Phantom, his creator Lee Falk and an article on King Features Syndicate. There will also be original comic strips created by local artists featuring the work of: Cian Tormey, Johnny McMonagle, Arif Iqbal, David McDonagh, Karl Orowe, Simon Hall, Roisin Young, Basil Lim, Vanessa Ronan, Ashwin Chacko, Derek Keogh, Sean Hill, John O’Reilly, Jerry Higgins, Sinead O’Neill, John Fitzwilliam and Dave Williams. The projected will be edited by Lightning Strike Comics Publisher Eoin McAuley. For more information on Dublin Comic Con please visit www.dublincomiccon.com. To follow more of The Phantom’s adventures please visit http://thephantomcomics.com #DublinComicCon #80th #LightningStrikeComics

Thanks to Guy Poissant who posted the rear cover of issue #6 of the first Hermes Press mini series on his Facebook page, which shows the new artist including a promo image of the Phantom standing with Diana and Devil. News of him until now has been hush hush, which lead to some rumours that a big surprise was in store with the new artist that will be doing the second Hermes mini series. However that was not the case. Not much is known about Joyce and he is a relatively unknown to majority of phans, but judging by this one image alone he has talent. All at ChronicleChamber look forward to what he will do with our character. #HermesPress #SeanJoyce

While we at ChronicleChamber may be hesitant with the new Kings Quest series after the downer off King, we are still excited to see the new comic come out this week. Comic Book Resources have recently released the first few pages of art of #1 which features an interesting double page spread along with action straight away which will no doubt please some. It is worth reading this interview between the artist and writer to get more of an idea behind the scenes of the saga. Will you be buying it? THE PERFECT JUMPING-ON POINT FOR NEW READERS! Join Flash Gordon, TWO Phantoms, Mandrake the Magician, and Prince Valiant on a disastrous intergalactic rescue mission! All they have to do is defeat a limitless alien armada and NOT get eaten by a space jungle. Brought to you by the innumerable talents of Ben Acker (The Thrilling Adventure Hour), Heath Corson (Bizarro), and Dan McDaid (Judge Dredd)! #KingsQuest

Atlantis Models has officially re released the 1965 Phantom and the Voodoo Witch Doctor model kit. According to their website and Facebook this should be released in June 2016 and is current available for pre order at a reasonable price of $39.98. In looking at photos of their Flash Gordon set it comes as close as possible of the original 1965 Revell kit with their logo instead of the Revell one. Also worth noting is that this includes the box and instructions unlike the other current model kit from Monsters in Motion which makes this not only a kit builders will buy but also collectors. Thanks to Phantom Sunday Artist Terry Beatty for informing us phans about this. Model kit of the original 1960’s by Atlantis – available for pre order now and scheduled for release in June. #TerryBeatty #FlashGordon #Revell

In this episode Joe and Jermayn catch up news surrounding the Phantom's 80th anniversary and a whole slew of merch that is being released! #80th #XBand #Podcast #KingFeaturesSyndicate #Frew