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- Results for 2025 Best Fantomen cover announced - congratulations to Henrik Sahlström
400 fans from around the world have made their opinions count and have voted on their best Fantomen cover of 2025. The results have been announced in Fantomen 17/2026. This tradition of fans voting for their favourite cover of the previous year has been going on since 1971. Just over 28% of all the fans voted for Fantomen 1/2025 as their favourite cover. The cover was drawn by Henrik Salhström who has now won 7 best covers as voted by the fans. This cover is iconic with Hero and the Phantom riding into action. Henry Johannes came in second with his Fantomen 25-26/2024 cover, with 19.8% of all fans voting for this cover. This cover was a modern retake on the famous panel in the "Childhood of the Phantom" storyline and is fairly iconic. In third place with 13.8% of all votes was another Henrik Salhström cover for the special 75th Fantomen anniversary comic Fantomen 18-19/2025 which is no surprise seeing the comic was sold out throughout Sweden. Rounding out the top 10, we have Henry Johannes, filling 4 of the 11 covers (Fantomen 4/2025, Fantomen 14-15/2026, Fantomen 17/2026, and Fantomen 25-26/2026), and three other different artists all receiving a top 10 placing, which shows a great spread of talented artists covering a range of tastes. These artists are Luca Erbetta with Fantomen 2-3/2025, Fantomen 9/2025, and Fantomen 13-2025. Percy Ochoa with Fantomen 20/2025 and Rafael Ruiz with Fantomen 8/2025. Every issue received at least a vote which is nice. In 2025, Fantomen changed up the style on their covers a bit, with Rafael Ruiz and Kasia Nie having a different artistic style than what the Swedish readers are used to, and purely judging by the votes, this new style has not been popular. Will it take time for the readers to learn to like this new style? Are the fans who like this 'modern' look simply non-voters with only a small fraction of the whole readership voting? Voting is important as it helps the editors and the ones who make the financial decisions know what direction to go towards. The below page outlining all the votes for all covers was printed in Fantomen 16/2025 along with a poster of the cover. Winners of the competition will have the prize sent to the postal address that they supplied when adding their vote.
- X-Band: Phantom Podcast #343 - John Amor, "Phantom 2040: A New Shadow" artist
In this episode, Jermayn Parker is joined by our USA reviewer Scott Walyn as we interview the main artist of the new Comics Kingdom "Phantom 2040: A New Shadow" web comic series John Amor. In August 2026, we will be interviewing one of the other creators, Alex Segura who was one of the writers of the new Phantom web comic series. If you would like to ask any specific questions to him about the series, please contact us at ChronicleChamber@gmail.com. We do love comments and feedback from the Phantom phans from around the world. You can leave your comments at our YouTube channel and/or at our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. Some of the questions we ask and Phantom-related discussions we touch upon in this podcast are the following: About John Amor. John Amor's history with the Phantom and the Phantom 2040 tv show and what was involved with your research? What is the difference between a web comic and a normal comic? What is the differences between the processes of creating them The art of "Phantom 2040: A New Shadow" has its own unique coloring theme. How did John Amor come up with it? John Amor's extremely expressive eyes of the characters. Was there a source of inspiration behind this? Whose idea was it to reference the classic imagery in the parts? How’d they got chosen? Could the web comic be transformed into a traditional print comic? John Amor tells us about the origin of Anti Phantom and if phan suggestions had any say on the name. Which actors and famous people were inspiration for the characters of "Phantom 2040: A New Shadow"? What is John Amor's process for drawing a web comic? Has John Amor started working on season two? Are web comics the future? Does John Amor accept commissions? Was any of the episodes created traditionally, or was it all created digitally? You can follow John Amor at his Instagram and/or contact him for a commission at NextComicArt@gmail.com. You can email us at chroniclechamber@gmail.com or chat with us via our social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. We love comments and feedback from the Phantom phans from around the world. Make sure you stay with us, and do not forget to subscribe and leave a review on our podcast on our YouTube Channel.
- Recording of Sy Barry talking the Phantom & retirement when visiting Australia in September 1998
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.
- Shakti Comics release a second BIG poster by artist Avishek Biswas
Phantom artist Avishek Biswas has worked on close to 20 covers for Indian publisher Shakti Comics, and now they have released a second BIG poster of the Phantom to match the first one of the Phantom riding Hero with Devil by his side. These posters are visually appealing, the size is alluring, and the price is even more tempting. Buy your copy of big poster 1 Buy your copy of big poster 2 The size is 19 x 26 inches, which is just smaller than an A1 sheet (23.4 x 33.1 inches). The regular price is ₹99.00 with a special price of ₹49.00 (at time of writing), which roughly works out at $1AUD, $75USD, 10 sek/nok for the regular price. Some eagle-eyed phans may notice that the logo for the second poster looks a bit different than the standard Shakti Comics logo.
- Sy Barry receives "The Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award" (SASRA) from Inkwell
At the Hershey Comic Con’s awards ceremony on June 11, 2026, Sy Barry received "The Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award" (SASRA) from Inkwell. The award is given to professionals who have made significant contributions to the comic book industry. It is named after Stacey Aragon, an avid supporter of the Inkwell Awards who passed away after a decade-long battle with cancer. Recipients of the SASRA are internally selected by the committee and represent some of the most celebrated veterans in comic book artistry. The Inkwell Awards is the only official 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote and educate regarding the art form of comic-book inking, as well as annually recognise the best ink artists and their work. Bob Almond who has inked several Phantom stories for Team Fantomen is involved with the non-profit organisation. You can follow their work on their social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram) or at their website. While Sy Barry did not attend, he was able to send a message to those in attendance. Bob Almond shared this about Sy Barry during the presentation: “At 5 years old, with pencil in hand, he could not only draw well but Sy Barry knew that art would be his lifelong passion. He was born on March 12, 1928 in New York City during the Depression, the 6th child in a family of 8. In 1943 Sy was accepted to the School of Industrial Art in New York City. He studied alongside contemporaries including Carmine Infantino, Alex Toth, John Romita, and others. Sy graduated from SIA in 1946 and never looked back. His early jobs with Lev Gleason, Famous Funnies, Ziff Davis, and Hillman Publications set him up for a 13-year run with National/DC, Timely/Marvel, and several other comic publishers. At DC, Sy worked in multiple genres, becoming the go-to inker for Alex Toth, Murphy Anderson, Curt Swan, Carmine Infantino, and Bob Kane. Sy holds a place in history as the illustrator of Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story, a 16-page comic book pamphlet about Martin Luther King, Jr, Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott published in 1957 by the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Sy eventually went on to draw the world’s most successful adventure comic strip, The Phantom, for 33 years from 1961 to 1994, succeeding Ray Moore and Wilson McCoy. Sy is credited for giving the Phantom character his modern look, and he brought action and a new sense of drama to the strip. At the height of their popularity, Lee Falk and Sy Barry’s Phantom stories were read by over 100 million people every day in newspapers and comic books. In 1994, Sy stepped down from the reins of the Phantom and began another chapter in his life. Interested in taking on new projects and spending more time with friends and family, despite the recent decline of his eyesight, Sy pushes on and continues to develop his painting skills and teach watercolour, and he enjoys portrait painting in a combination of oil, acrylic, and watercolour. Sy has painted the Phantom several times in oil, and his drawings continue to be used as covers for Phantom comics around the world." Sy Barry's comments on the award and recognition were passed onto Inkwell and read out to the audience at the night. “Thank you so much to the Inkwell Awards for this incredible honour. I really regret that I can’t be with you in person today. You know, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from an organisation that celebrates the art of inking is especially meaningful to me. When I began my professional career in 1946, I never imagined that more than seven decades later I would still be talking about comic books and comic strips, let alone accepting an award like this. My career has spanned 72 wonderful years, and I have considered every one of them a privilege. Along the way, I had the good fortune to work alongside some of the finest artists our industry has ever known—Alex Toth, Bob Kane, Carmine Infantino, Curt Swan, John Romita Sr., Murphy Anderson, Frank Giacoia, Bob Anager, and many others. Every collaboration taught me something, and I remain grateful to have shared drawing boards and deadlines with such extraordinary talent. During the 1950s, I was thrilled to be one of the artists that both DC Comics and Marvel could rely on when they needed an inker. Inking has often been called an invisible art, but those of us who practised it knew that every brushstroke mattered. In comic books, I always tried to honour the penciler’s work while bringing my own style and drama to the finished page. As a creator, I may be best known for my years drawing The Phantom. From 1961 until 1994, it was my privilege to illustrate the adventures of the Ghost Who Walks. To know that my interpretation of the character became the Phantom that millions of readers around the world came to know and love is humbling. That connection with readers and wonderful fans around the world has been the greatest honour of my career. I’m so grateful to my family, whose love and support made it possible for me to devote my life to this work, and I am especially grateful to the many friends I’ve made throughout the comic industry. Those friendships have meant as much to me as any page I ever drew. Thank you again to everyone for this recognition.”
- Big Rubber Guys announce new King Features line including The Phantom
To celebrate the Phantom's 90th birthday, Big Rubber Guys from Collect Major have announced a Phantom, Flash Gordon and Popeye line to their popular wrestling line. At this stage there is no official date of release, but in the video below they say they are in production and will be released in 2026. At a guess, I would say October / November 2026. Most of their wrestler figurines are $49.95 USD ($75AUD, €45, ₹4,850 INR & 500 sek/nok), so we assume it will be a similar price. The figurine will not be articulated like past Phantom figurine sets from Boss Fight Studios and NECA but does come with two pistols that are detachable. As the video says, the proportions are not regular human style and are stylised slightly for effect, just like their wrestlers. You can follow Collect Major on their social platforms (Instagram & Facebook) or their website. We will update you when we know more. Please stay tuned to our website, socials or YouTube to learn about more related Phantom news, reviews and interviews with creators.
- X-Band: Phantom Podcast #342 - Sounds from the 2026 Supanova panels & LFMBEC charity dinner
In this episode, we provide the recordings from the biggest Phantom phan meetup in the world, which was in Sydney in June 2026. It included the LFMBEC charity dinner and a Phantom-related panel held at Supanova Sydney and Supanova Perth. We love comments and feedback from the Phantom phans from around the world. If you agree and/or disagree with us, you can either email us; leave your comments at our YouTube channel, and/or leave them at our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. A huge thanks to Sean Bassett, who recorded the Supanova Sydney panel; Dan Fraser, who recorded the LFMBEC charity dinner interview; and Duncan Munro, who recorded the Supanova Perth panel. Some things are repeated in the Sydney and Perth panels, but there are enough different topics, phan questions, and other Phantom-related tidbits that it was definitely worth including both panels. It has to be mentioned that the audio quality at some of the events was average. For example, we had to remove the fans' questions from the Perth panel and just included when the host and presenters spoke. Time stamp: Sydney Supanova panel: 2 Minutes Perth Supanova panel: 42 Minutes LFMBEC interview: 1 Hour & 19 Minutes Some of the topics discussed throughout the 2 hours of Frew creators talking about Phantom are: The process of developing a comic from the idea to the script to roughs to pencils to inks to colours. The genesis of the friendship and working relationship between Duncan Munro and Ken Steacy. The genesis of the "The Man from Mandalay" story. Phandom in Australia and the world. Ken Steacy's relationship with the Phantom. Ken Steacy's big regret with his first Phantom gig. Ken Steacy showing the Phantom's ears in the cowl. The importance of checking the tones in grayscale when colouring your stories. What is done traditionally using pencils, inks etc and what is done digitally? Duncan Munro's relationship with the Phantom and how he became a writer of the Phantom. The process of approval with the owners of the Phantom, King Features. How long does it take to write, draw, get approval & publish a story? The consistency of the Phantom over the years. Antonio Lemos' relationship with the Phantom. Antonio Lemos' relationship with Eduardo Barreto & how Lemos consulted on the strip for his friend. Antonio Lemos' favourite Phantom artists. For those on YouTube, these recordings were audio only, so there is no footage of them talking that goes with the audio. We have, however, included photos taken from the weekend overlaid with the audio. A huge thanks to Supanova and Peter Stevens for taking the photos. Attached are some of the speeches from past Phantom phan weekends at Supanova and the LFMBEC dinners. Sounds from the 2025 LFMBEC dinner & Supanova weekend Sounds from the 2024 LFMBEC dinner & Supanova weekend Sounds from the 2023 LFMBEC dinner & Supanova weekend Sounds from the 2022 LFMBEC dinner & Supanova weekend Sounds from the 2021 LFMBEC dinner & Supanova weekend Sounds from the 2019 LFMBEC dinner & Supanova weekend Sounds from the 2018 LFMBEC dinner & Supanova weekend Sounds from the 2017 LFMBEC dinner & Supanova weekend If you know of other conventions happening around the world, please contact us—you can email us at chroniclechamber@gmail.com. You can email us at chroniclechamber@gmail.com or chat with us via our social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. We love comments and feedback from the Phantom phans from around the world. Make sure you stay with us, and do not forget to subscribe and leave a review on our podcast on our YouTube Channel.
- Mythos Editora republishing the wedding of the Phantom for the 90th birthday preorders now open (Sale August 2026)
Mythos Editora has received the memo to celebrate the Phantom's 90th birthday in style. Something others could learn from. This collection of stories to celebrate the wedding is 128 pages in both black and white and colour. The Sunday newspaper stories will be in colour with the daily newspaper stories in black and white. The book is available for preorder at the time of this article being published and will be shipping and in stores in August 2026. Click to buy your copy now Eagle-eyed phans may have noticed that Brazilian publisher Kalaco in 2011 published a very similar book. That featured the same cover, which is the Sy Barry celebrational poster for the wedding King Features released in 1977, and the book was, however, only 80 pages. This cover also features gold trim to add to the celebrational nature of not only the birthday year but also the wedding. It is our understanding the stories included will be the same but will be presented in a better presentation than the 2011 book. The stories in the 2011 book are the following: "O Casamento do Fantasma" ("The Wedding of the Phantom") by Lee Falk and Sy Barry. "O Pedido" ("The Proposal") by Lee Falk and Sy Barry. "As Trevas Orientais" ("Guardian of the Eastern Dark") by Lee Falk and Sy Barry. "O Casamento do Fantasma" ("Phantom Wedding") by Lee Falk and Sy Barry. "Os Herdeiros" ("The Heirs") by Lee Falk and Sy Barry. "O Nome" ("The Name") by Lee Falk and Sy Barry. "Uma Surpresa para Diana" ("The Tree House") by Lee Falk and Sy Barry. If you are a phan in Brazil and/or South America who buys these books, we would love someone to be able to review them for us on our platforms. If that is you, please contact us at ChronicleChamber@gmail.com.
- The location of the Phantom's world originally in Indonesia before Africa and India
Where is Bangalla (Bengali) The majority of phans accept that the Phantom's world and home in the Skull Cave in the jungles of Bangalla is off the east coast of Africa. Many phans will also know that before the Phantom 'moved' to Africa, his world was located in India. Even now we see the remnants of the Indian influence with tigers, the Singh Pirates being named after a common Indian name, and the name of Bangalla / Bengali being very similar to the location off the coast of India's east coast. However, do phans know that even before the Indian influence, the first Phantom story had the Phantom being homed further south in the islands of Indonesia? Below are pages from the first and second Phantom stories, "The Singh Brotherhood" and "The Sky Band" by Lee Falk and Ray Moore, which give us clues to the original location of the Phantom's world and when it changed from Indonesia to India. The Phantom's home originally located in Indonesia In this first example, the Phantom talks to Prince Achmed about the Sunda Trough. This is an actual location and has been covered before and is a place this author has actually sailed over. A trough (or trench) is a geology term for a long, narrow depression on the seafloor. The Sunda Trench is off the coast of Java which is the main island of the country Indonesia. In the "Singh Brotherhood" story, Diana is kidnapped and taken to the underwater kingdom of the Singh Pirates, a place called Krakatan. In real life, there is a small group of volcanic islands called Krakotoa located in the Sunda Strait, between the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. The original island was mostly destroyed during a volcano eruption in 1883, but a new active volcanic island called Anak Krakatoa ("Child of Krakatoa") later emerged in the same caldera. Maybe the underwater kingdom came from the mostly destroyed island that submerged. If this sounds familiar, it is very similar to the legend of Atlantis. Next up is the island of Luntok that includes the home of the Phantom. I could not find an island or place in or around Indonesia that currently or in the past has the name of Luntok. The closest is an island called Lombok, but that is a 1,000 km trip with the whole island of Java between the two islands. Other possible locations on the west side of Java that sound somewhat familiar or begin with the letter L are Legundi Island, which is only 40 km away from the Krakatoa archipelago. Another option could be Lampung, which is a province of modern-day Indonesia on the southern tip of the island of Sumatra and is only 30-50 km from the Krakatoa archipelago. These two locations would make sense with the Phantom swimming to shore injured after blowing up the underwater kingdom. This all makes sense with the Phantom patrolling the area of Sumatra, which is another island of Indonesia and where Professor James Dodd first encountered the Phantom back in 1866. In "The Sky Band" (the second Phantom story), the India Clipper seaplane leaves from the Batavia airport on its way north - likely to India. Interestingly, Batavia was the historical name for the city of Jakarta, the current capital of Indonesia. Batavia was officially renamed Jakarta on August 8, 1942, after the Japanese occupation forces seized control of the Dutch East Indies during World War II. When does the location of the Phantom's world change to India? About halfway through the Sky Band story is where the focus of the Phantom's world migrates from Indonesia to India. Diana lands at the outskirts of Calcutta (now Kolkata) on the east coast of India and is met by Captain Melville Horton who was before located on the island of Luntok. The other two locations mentioned are Bassein and Rangoon which are cities in modern-day Myanmar (formerly called Burma and gained independence from the Crown Colony in 1948). Bassein (now called Pathein) is located 190 km west of Rangoon, which is now called Yangon. The open water between Bassein and Calcutta is the Bay of Bengal. Hope you enjoyed this deep dive into Phantom lore and learned something new about the location of the Phantom's world in the first year of his creation. When did the Phantom's world move to Africa? The move from India to Africa happened when Sy Barry took over the role, which not only saw the location migrate to Africa but also a modernisation of the character, which included Bangalla becoming an independent democratic country with native Black leaders, Colonel Worubu taking over the Jungle Patrol, and Lamanda Luaga becoming the first president of Bangalla. More about this in a possible future article. The first example is from "The Mystery of the Island of Dogs" which is the 86th Phantom daily story published in 1963. The story was written by Lee Falk and drawn by Sy Barry. In this story, the Phantom only hints this missile base could dominate and control Africa as the main location and parts of Asia as a secondary location. With "The Reef" is the 88th Phantom daily story published in 1964 written by Lee Falk and drawn by Sy Barry has the letter going from Diana to the Phantom addressed to Africa. This is the first time in a definite way we see the Phantom's location in Africa.
- 'Defenders of the Earth' Complete Omnibus Available for Preorder
Missed out on the recent Defenders of the Earth revival from the Mad Cave Studios team? Both the 8-issue original Defenders of the Earth and 4-issue sequel series Defenders of the Earth: Dark Destiny are collected together in one complete omnibus. This posting was discovered over at Simon & Schuster, with a release date of November 17th, 2026. It can also be preorder on Target, with both sites listing it at $29.99 for a trade paperback edition. There's no word if a hardcover Defenders of the Earth omnibus will be available. Defenders of the Earth Complete Omnibus available November 17th, 2026. Cover art by Jim Calafiore. For Those Who Came in Late... Mad Cave Studios revived the Defenders of the Earth series way back in 2024. Former DC Publisher and legendary comics writer Dan Didio helmed this continuation of the classic '80s team-up, with artist Jim Calafiore for the first series and artist Alex Sanchez for the follow-up series. Juancho Vélez provided colors, and Carlos M. Mangual provided letters for the series. While this revival took inspiration from the animated series, it was also a semi-sequel to the 4-issue Defenders of the Earth series that Marvel created way back in the 80's to go along with the cartoon. Ahead of the new series, Mad Cave Studios collected a trade paperback of the original Marvel series, which we reviewed here. In this new series, the Defenders find themselves fragmented after the defeat of Ming the Merciless. Flash Gordon is busy working with Krotan (Ming's son), K'shen, and a new corporation to rebuild Earth, leaving no space to spend time with his son, Rick. Mandrake the Magician is on tour, with The Phantom at his side. Jedda is out on her own, and Lothar and LJ are back at the Seven Nations. A new, mysterious threat brings them together, with a few familiar villains and faces to come along for the ride. Watch Our Review of Defenders of the Earth (issues 1-8) This series was followed up by a 4-issue miniseries, Defenders of the Earth: Dark Destiny, that saw the heroes travel to Mongo in order to save it from destruction. Watch our reviews of Defenders of the Earth: Dark Destiny here. Details on the Defenders of the Earth Complete Omnibus Synopsis: "The full collection of the modern reimagining of the classic animated series! Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Lothar attempt to unite a fractured world against threats new and old. "Picking up with characters and storylines from the original series, the Defenders stage a multi-world hunt for the missing Dale Arden, The Phantom fights for his spot in the family legacy, and the younger generation--Rick, LJ, Jedda, and Kshin--take up their mentors' roles as both Earth and Mongo fracture in political chaos! All twelve issues written by Dan DiDio and drawn by celebrated artists J. Calafiore, Alex Sanchez, and more are collected here in a gorgeous, oversized collection." What About the Stories in Flash Gordon: Quarterly? One detail that isn't known at this time is if the omnibus will include the handful of stories that appeared in the pages of Flash Gordon: Quarterly. These stories, also written by Dan Didio, filled in the gaps between the first 8 issues of Defenders of the Earth, providing more context to the greater mystery and offering allusions and teases for what was to come next. As we get closer to the release date, we will update as more details become available.
- Shakti Comics rereleases issues 1-5 in new format
The first five issues of Shakti Comics had a different size format compared to their other issues from issue 5 to current, and to please all the completists, they have decided to rerelease these issues again. Originally issues 1 to 5 are sized 17.5 × 23.5 cm. The new size format are 18 × 26.5 cm. Are you a completist who will buy these? If you've always wanted your Phantom collection to have a uniform look on your bookshelf, this is your chance.
- New Phantom series for Zauberstern printing Team Fantomen stories starting with 'The Empty Throne' saga
"The Empty Throne" saga was first created in 2016 and is set a few years in the future, with the 21st Phantom separated from Diana Palmer; an earthquake has devastated Bangalla, and the 21st Phantom has disappeared. The first episode takes place one year after the Phantom disappeared, and his adult children Kit and Heloise have to learn how to cooperate and share the role of the 22nd Phantom. The series will be on sale in shops and online from August 25, 2026. Buy issue #1 on Zauberstern website here Zauberstern first made mention of this series featuring Team Fantomen stories back in our 2024 interview with Simeon Hrissomallis and Charles Bone from Zauberstern. This sees more than a Phantom comic per month being published in Germany by Zauberstern on top of other regular comics by ECR Comics with other series by Wick Comics and Comics & Mehr. The last time Germany had regular ongoing Phantom comics like this was in the 1980s. It is a good time to be a Phantom phan in Germany. As per usual, we will include regular reviews on the Chronicle Chamber platforms. This new series will be released every 3 months—four issues a year—and will range from 50 to 70 pages per issue, full colour at 7.99 Euro. To celebrate the release of issue #1, it will feature two covers for sale, including a new cover by Timo Weurz and the original cover created by Henrik Salhstrom as published in Fantomen back in 2016. The first comic will feature two stories: "The 22nd Phantom, Part 1: The Empty Throne", written by Claes Reimerthi, with art by Paul Ryan. It was first published in Fantomen 16/2016 and Frew #1792 (2017). "The 22nd Phantom, Part 2: Baptism of Fire", written by Claes Reimerthi and Alex Saviuk. It was first published in Fantomen 21/2016 and Frew #1793 (2017). Buy issue #1 on Zauberstern website here It is worth mentioning that this series is still being created and published in the Fantomen and Frew comics. So far 14 stories have been published. After the death of Claes Reimerthi, Team Fantomen have hired David Bishop to take over the direction and creation of the series. It has been confirmed that the first 9 albums of this series will feature the 22nd Phantom saga. The 10th album will feature other Fantomen created stories. For those who have come in late and need a refresher on the series, we have created this attached video of the first seven stories.
- X-Band: Phantom Podcast #341 - July 2026 newspaper stories, comics & news review
In this episode, Dan Fraserand Jermayn Parker come together to review and discuss Phantom comics, stories, and related news from around the world. Scott Waldyn joins the team with his reviews of the latest comic from the USA. Included in this review is an in-depth review of Frew's 90th birthday issue, which included 116 pages of full colour and 5 stories, the latest publisher news including Comics Kingdom, Fantomen magazine, and much more. In total you will have two-plus hours of glorious Phantom stories, comics, and news to listen to. We love comments and feedback from the Phantom phans from around the world. If you agree and/or disagree with us, you can either email us; leave your comments at our YouTube channel, and/or leave them at our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. During this podcast we mention our interview with Mikael Bergkvist which was in Episode 334, plus the Frew 2026 annual, which featured crossover stories with the Phantom and Mandrake which was reviewed in Episode 330. If you're one of the phans who can only listen to some parts of the podcast, below is a timeline of what we discussed. Comics Kingdom stories Daily 270: "The Grudge" by Tony DePaul and Mike Manley: 3 Minutes Sunday 198: “1536”: by Tony DePaul and Jeff Weigel: 13 Minutes Frew (Australia) comics Frew #2025: 21 Minutes "The Man from Mandalay, Part 2: Steel Rhino" by Duncan Munro and Ken Steacy "The Epidemic" by Lee Falk and Sy Barry "The Dollmaker" by Pidde Andersson and Giancarlo Caracuzzo "Rex King" by Lee Falk and Sy Barry "War Pigs" by Paul Mason Frew #2026: 1 Hour & 12 Minutes "The Mark of the Phantom" by Mikael Bergkvist and Gerardo Canelo "Gyp and the Jungle Drums" by Matt Kyme and Shane Foley USA comics "The Phantom vs. The Red Dragons" by Ray Fawkes and Lynne Yoshii: 1 Hour & 28 Minutes The Phantom news from around the world Swedish energy drink company X-Zero releases its third flavour (link): 1 Hour & 45 Minutes Comics Kingdom announces The Phantom 2040: A New Shadow season two (link): 1 Hour & 47 Minutes Fantomen 90th Birthday issue (link): 1 Hour, 51 Minutes & 30 Seconds Fantomen covers released for albums to be released in August (link and link): 1 Hour, 53 Minutes & 30 Seconds Phantom returning back to Sweden in new story (link): 1 Hour & 56 Minutes E-Voke announces new issues in their series (link): 1 Hour & 58 Minutes Shakti re-release issues 1-5 in current format: 1 Hour & 59 Minutes The Phantom at SDCC including the Saturday Morning Cards release (link): 2 Hours Jason Paulos selling original Phantom story art (link): 2 Hour & 5 Minutes We can only report and discuss what we have seen or been told by the phans. We may miss something, especially conventions in your corner of the world with Phantom-related guests, so please let us know of them so we can promote them on our website, socials, and podcasts. We are also looking for reviewers who can review comics from India, Sweden, Finland, France, Italy, and some other locations that publish the Phantom. If you would like to join the team with regular reviews, please contact us. You can email us at chroniclechamber@gmail.com or chat with us via our social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. We love comments and feedback from the Phantom phans from around the world. Make sure you stay with us, and do not forget to subscribe and leave a review on our podcast on our YouTube Channel.
- Phantom drinks review: X-Zero energy drinks and Mustanaamio Maku Brewing & Pyynikin Brewing beer
I am back and reviewing some special drinks that have been released in Sweden and Finland recently! First up we have the X-Zero energy drinks, and then I have dusted off some cans of beer from Maku Brewing & Pyynikin Brewing. It must be noted that I accidentally did not notice the beers were out of date until after reviewing the beer. Did it affect the taste? X-Zero Sweden's Fantomen energy drinks Each container comes with 100 servings and costs €32,90 ($55AUD, $40AUD, 3,800 INR). However, it is worth noting that they do not ship to Australia and the USA. You will need to buy your stash from a Swedish fan. Click to buy Melon Lemonade Click to buy Jungle Burst Click to buy Tropical Ice Note, at the time of reviewing, I did not have the melon lemonade flavour. My favourite flavour is the tropical ice. The drinks do taste best with ice, and be careful you measure carefully, as in one sample I added too much. My favourite flavour of these two is the jungle burst flavour. Melon Lemonade The taste is fresh, sweet and incredibly easy to drink, with a perfect combination of the soft sweetness of ripe melon and the invigorating citrus character of lemonade. Jungle Burst The flavor is fresh, sweet, and easy to drink with notes of tropical fruit and papaya, without being heavy. Mix it ice-cold with lots of ice, and you have a real summer taste and one of our best energy flavors to date. Tropical Ice The Phantom Tropical Ice combines smooth tropical inspiration with a cool, frost-infused sensation for a taste experience that is both vibrant and unforgettable. Expect layered fruity tones balanced by an ultra-cool finish that keeps things fresh from start to finish. Finland's Mustanaamio Maku Brewing (golden ale) & Pyynikin Brewing (larger) beers It must be noted that I accidentally did not notice the beers were out of date until after reviewing the beer. Did it affect the taste? Maybe... You can still buy the golden ale on Maku Brewing's website. Pyynikin Brewing still has a page on their website for more information. However, it is worth noting that they do not ship to Australia and the USA. You will need to buy your stash from a Swedish fan. Click to buy golden ale from Maku Brewing Click for more information on the Pyynkin Brewing larger It is interesting different brewers had the license near the same time. You can buy these beers at grocery shops in Finland. Maku Brewing The company details the beer with an alcohol level of 4.5% and it is a very simple and straight-line, golden-yellow, surface-yeast beer. A balanced amount of mild sweetness in the light malt and the light citrusiness. Crispy, dry, and very strong drinkable! At RateBeer.com, it has been given a 3.1 rating out of 5. This drink didn't have as much flavour as other golden ales. That could be because of the energy drink's aftertaste or it being out of date. Pyynkin Brewing Most people I know in Sweden drink a larger. It is worth noting this is a blonde or light larger than what I am used to. It is still drinkable. If there are any Swedish fans out there that are wanting to sell empty (or full) cans of the beers and/or packs of the energy drinks for collectors overseas who want to add them to their collections, please let us know. We can then inform the collectors who have made room to put them in their skull caves. Stay hydrated everyone!
- Phantom Frew artist Jason Paulos original art for sale
Jason Paulos is one of the most prolific current-day Frew artists. He has drawn 30 chapters of the Phantom by Gaslight stories plus 10 other full-length Phantom stories and other stories for Frew's Giant Size comic series featuring characters like The Raven. His two-part Phantom story "Inked in Blood" written by Pidde Andersson was also published by Fantomen. Jason Paulos has a very distinct style that has been enjoyed by many an Australian phan and now is the opportunity where you can own some of his original art for a very affordable price starting from $100 AUD. Click here to go to his eBay to browse what is available At the time of the article being published, the attached images are a sample of the artwork available to buy. If there are none available on his eBay page when you visit, try checking his website and/or Facebook and contact him about which page you're after. A few years ago, we interviewed him on our X-Band: The Phantom Podcast in Episode #199, you can watch the video interview attached to this article.
Recent Phantom Happenings
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