The Phantom

[The Ghost Who Walks]

Anyone here reading the Phantom from Moonstone Books?

I love this series!

Mike Bullock, creator of Lions, Tigers and Bears, will take over the title with issue 12, and I can't wait for it to happen!

[Agentum]

They is hard to get but i have read some of them and i like them, the series is better than the thicker trades they put out before this.

I like that Walker is young again, it's more back to basic than the current Phantom comics we have here that builds on Falks work.

[Mia]

I've been collecting them. But I have not liked past issues. I think that Ben Raab is an awful writer. Just plain awful! I find his Phantom to be very juvenile and adolescent. I'm glad his gone.

I just added the Phantom to my pull list. I enjoyed the last two issues written by Chuck Dixon. And anxiously await what Mike Bullock has in store.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

I like that Walker is young again, it's more back to basic than the current Phantom comics we have here that builds on Falks work.

Agreed. Also, I think their characterization of Diana Palmer is great.

[Hintermann]

I belong to the 'conventional' Phantom fan group and tend to like only Lee Falk's stories. Neither Egmont's 'Fantomen' nor the American stories under Moonstone are a fraction as good as Falk originals.

[Agentum]

But he is dead, and if they want the character to live on they have to find other writers and the old style of Falk wouldn't work today, ok i like his early work best with the Phantom doing adentures, but the later family picknick Phantom is very boring to me:)

Give the new people a chance to make something of him, the 50-60s is never comming back again.

To tell you the truth many people was complaining here over Falks later work and the sales dropped, and it could only be used in backup storys to sell the comic, of course it was mostly younger readers that did not like it but they needed to sell the book so i think thats why those non Falk versions is diffrent.
An all Falk Phantom book was tried alongside of the 2 ordinary ones here but it only came out with 6 numbers, so of course this is all about taste but to few liked Falk stories.

[Hintermann]

Give the new people a chance to make something of him, the 50-60s is never comming back again.

To tell you the truth many people was complaining here over Falks later work and the sales dropped, and it could only be used in backup storys to sell the comic, of course it was mostly younger readers that did not like it but they needed to sell the book so i think thats why those non Falk versions is diffrent.
.

Fair comment, but as you say, it is each to his own taste. I came relatively late into Mickey Mouse for example and so do not like the 1930s work by Floyd Gottfreidsson. Likewise, I expect the present day kids and youngsters will find it hard to identify with 'our' Phantom.

I have not read Moonstone's work, but have quite a few Frew reprints of the Scandinavian work by Egmont. I confess, I found most of them terrible.

[Agentum]

I'm often amazed that no one in Austalia try to do something with the Phantom, he is as big there as here but they reprint our material.

I Think Moonstones work is ok, but i did not like the early work that much it felt sloppy with numberous spelling errors etc.

I like The Phantom to be younger, Diana can of course be a part of it, but no marrige and children thanks:)
Of the scandinavian work i like the historical storys about the ancestors, but the storys about the current Phantom is very uneven in quality from really bad to ok to read, i want some more feeling in the work, to get to know Kit Walker a bit more.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

I like The Phantom to be younger, Diana can of course be a part of it, but no marrige and children thanks:)

The children have had some tiny little cameos from time to time in Moonstone's stories, though...

In Australia, the Phantom is published by Frew, a comic book company consisting of three, THREE!, people. They did produce four Phantom stories ages ago, but after they discovered that this required another, more expensive licence from King Features, they stopped with it.

[Agentum]

OK but it seems those people is lacking a vision of doing something or is the sales very bad since a long time maybe?

[Babylon23]

OK but it seems those people is lacking a vision of doing something or is the sales very bad since a long time maybe?

Sales of the Phantom are still strong over here, relatively speaking. However, Australia has an incredibly small comic book reading population, and we don't really have a comic industry as such. There are no major publishers of original material, so most of the Australian produced comics are by independent creators.

The cost of the licence combined with the cost of production just isn't really viable over here. It's much cheaper to go with the reprints.

[Agentum]

Well he sells around 100.000 copys a month in scandinavia i guess, but they seems to think it is worth it to run the whole thing.

It's a bit to much to call it a industry, this has always been independent publishers too but that have been bought up by one company (Egmont)

It's so expensive to export to Austalia from most west coutrys so i thought it would be worth to try something.
But if it's only like 10-20.000 readers then is not worth it of course.

Comics has dropped here over the last 10 years and Phantoms 150.000 sold books in Sweden only have dropped to around 50-60.000, a lot of it is by subscriptions.

Donald Duck is the biggest seller here with still around 200.000 books every two weeks.

[Hintermann]

I normally don't like Egmont's Phantom stories mainly because of the art. Felmang and usually Bode are good, but most others, including the much praised Lindahl do a very sloppy job. But one Egmont story that has really good plot is "Lord of the Jungle". The twist at the end is very good.

[Agentum]

Ok, no the art i my least trouble and i don't think it's that bad mostly compared to other modern books, i'm not that fond of the storys anymore.

[Babylon23]

It's so expensive to export to Austalia from most west coutrys so i thought it would be worth to try something.
But if it's only like 10-20.000 readers then is not worth it of course.

Comics has dropped here over the last 10 years and Phantoms 150.000 sold books in Sweden only have dropped to around 50-60.000, a lot of it is by subscriptions.

Frew sells about 50-60,000 copies per issue. They've been publishing the book regularly since 1948. The latest issue was #1448. Apparently, the US comic book implosion didn't affect Frew's sales, so Phantom sales remain fairly consistent.

I think it comes down to costs. The licencing of the Phantom isn't cheap, and it's cheaper to reprint existing stories than it is to create originals. There have been a few original Australian made Phantom stories, mostly published in the late 80's - early 90's.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

I think it comes down to costs. The licencing of the Phantom isn't cheap, and it's cheaper to reprint existing stories than it is to create originals.

You're right, obviously. Besides, I think the Scandinavian stories are usually very good, so it is nice to see them reach an english-speaking audience as well.

[KittyPryde]

I have it on my pull list. I'm just happy the character is still getting some play nowadays (unlike, say, The Shadow). So even if the stories aren't quite like Falk's, I'm happy to have at least a little Phantom action in my life every other month or so (as Moonstone's publishing schedule allows).

I'm happy they're doing Buckaroo Banzai too (I love that movie...)

[Hintermann]

Besides, I think the Scandinavian stories are usually very good, so it is nice to see them reach an english-speaking audience as well.

Well, that's a matter of opinion. I agree that a lot of Scandinavian Phantom stories have good plotlines, but I cannot say the same of the actual presentation of the story. For a start, I find the art of most Fantomen stories rather poor and the translated dialogue sounds very stilted and artificial. But the real problem is that the Sandinavian version of The Phantom comes across os just a strong but ordinary Joe and lacks that special aura about him that Falk stories always had.

[astronato]

I'm a new Phantom fan. I mostly know the Phantom from the movie, the serial and the cartoons. I can remember putting silly putty on the Phantoms face in the sunday funnies when I was a kid but I haven't read any Lee Falk Phantom as an adult. So I am no expert but I think Moonstone has done a mostly good job with the Phantom.

There were one or two stories I didn't care for. I didn't care for the art in the Hunt. But I have mostly enjoyed the series.

My favorite issue was #11. Artwork, coloring, cover, story and characterization were all perfect in my opinion. They should all be that good.

I also enjoyed the issues with the Sky Band.

I wish they would get more into local and geo politics and get the Phantom more involved in war, terrorism, conflict diamonds, genocide, slavery, forced female genital mutilation. I love poachers and the golden men as much as anyone but they should go for a more serious tone sometimes.

There is a guy named Gary Chaloner who writes Will Eisner's John Law Detective. He is fantastic. I would love to see him take a crack at the Phantom.

[Hintermann]

I wish they would get more into local and geo politics and get the Phantom more involved in war, terrorism, conflict diamonds, genocide, slavery, forced female genital mutilation.

It has always been the Phantom's policy over generations never to interfere in any local tribal customs, let alone politics, unless he felt that crimes were being comitted or Jungle peace was threatened. That explains his involvement in the Luaga-Bababu affair or battles against regimes like that in Tarakimo. Having said that, the Phantom did rally the junglefolk into war during the Japanese conquests of WWII, although the geographical location of Bangalla has since changed from Asia to the more appropriate Africa.

[Deathstroke]

I've read the first two issues of Mike Bullock's run and while I wasn't completely in love with the first one, I thought the most recent issue was really good.

[astronato]

It has always been the Phantom's policy over generations never to interfere in any local tribal customs, let alone politics, unless he felt that crimes were being comitted or Jungle peace was threatened. That explains his involvement in the Luaga-Bababu affair or battles against regimes like that in Tarakimo. Having said that, the Phantom did rally the junglefolk into war during the Japanese conquests of WWII, although the geographical location of Bangalla has since changed from Asia to the more appropriate Africa.

In the Tigers Blood two parter, the villains doomed girlfriend sees the Phantom as a tool of the government. I'd like to see that explored a little more. How many others see him that way? That could be a good story.

I assume that Bangalla is a former colony of a (possibly) ficticious European country only because some of the men in the Jungle Patrol are white. Have the stories ever delved into race relations? That could be interesting.

I would love to see some new Phantom stories set in WW2. The Phantom vs the Desert Fox :)

[astronato]

I've read the first two issues of Mike Bullock's run and while I wasn't completely in love with the first one, I thought the most recent issue was really good.

I liked the Manuel Ortega character. He is a little different from the Phantoms foes we have seen so far. Former kickboxing champ with a destroyed face and psychotropic fear phermones is cool, but it would also be interesting if they play up some kind of political reasoning for his hatred of the Ghost Who Walks.

[Hintermann]

I assume that Bangalla is a former colony of a (possibly) ficticious European country only because some of the men in the Jungle Patrol are white. Have the stories ever delved into race relations? That could be interesting.

Bangalla, or 'Denkali' as it is called in India, was always considered a Euro colony. In the earlier Phantom adventures from the 30s & early 40s, Bangalla was depicted as being in Asia, complete with turbanned 'natives' but also the incogruous presence of the Pygmies. In those days, there were plenty of British officials and other stereotypes about, suggesting that Falk intended Bangalla to be a British colony of sorts. But he realised his errors as he did some homework and surreptuously moved Bangalla to Africa. Even then, there was this colonial attitude with a white CO (Col Weeks) and almost all white staff. But this changed over the years (probably with Syd Barry's influence) and more and more African faces crept into the Jungle Patrol, culminating in Col Worubu being appointed as the successor to Weeks.

But this racial heirarchy is not without a paradox. When the Jungle Patrol was first formed in 1664, one of the original recruits was Big Bart, one of Redbeard's deputies. He, along with his colleagues Salla & The Crusher (who were both white) was appointed as a major under Colonel Redbeard by the then Phantom! But of course, the story of the formation of the Jungle Patrol was done well into Barry's days and so Lee Falk was reciprocally correcting his earlier mistake.

[Agentum]

Phantom was first like a king over the jungle people, but today he is more like an adviser.

There was protests against Phantom in Sweden in the 70s, they thought he was a tyrant oppressor of the african tribes.

So they changed our scandinavian Phantom some steps more than Falk did, otherwise i think the book would have been canceled soon.

To me Falks newer work is very 60s in style, like he never leaved that era, it's picknicks with the family and a smiling father Phantom, boring stuff.

The scandinavian Phantom is standing almost still, no continuity almost and just action storys, boring in the long run.

I think DC comics had it right with there short run in the 80s, i want continuity and modern storytelling, some character building, who is Kit Walker and what is he thinking?

But it seems this character will never come that far.
There is so much they could do with this character if they just let him be more human, i mean how was it like growing up with a father that was the Phantom, the extreme pressure of being good enough yourself to be his succesor etc.?

[Lupek]

I am the poster formerly known as astronato and I am enjoying Moonstones Phantom more than ever. The Invisible Children story was good and Checkmate even better.

After reading the recent Dynamite and Moonstone press releases I am still not sure what is going on but I hope that Mike Bullock & Silvestre Szilagyi have a long run.

So what did you Phantom phans think of what happened with Diana recently?

[Deathstroke]

To be honest I think it sucks and it will be weird reading her alive and well in the strip knowing the Evil Mike Bullock has killed Sweet Pure and Lovely Diana....:D

[Lupek]

slight spoiler warning.....dont look! .........................................






To be honest I think it sucks and it will be weird reading her alive and well in the strip knowing the Evil Mike Bullock has killed Sweet Pure and Lovely Diana....:D

You should check out the Moonstone book. You might be surprised.

or after this, maybe not :wink:

[Lupek]

Any Phantom fans out there also artists?

New Contest: Cover the Phantom!
http://www.moonstoneforums.com/showthread.php?tid=557

[Lupek]

SDCC '08 - The Knaufs to bring the Phantom to Sci Fi? (http://www.newsarama.com/tv/080729-PhantomSciFi.html)

[Lupek]

The Phantom in Comics - Dispute Resolved? (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080729-PhantomComics.html)

[Lupek]

The Phantom in Comics - Dispute Resolved? (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080729-PhantomComics.html)


FYI - Mike Bullock posted the following on the above link:


Mike Bullock wrote:
>>Lupek wrote:
/>>So what is the resolution???

Here's what I can tell you about our end:

*Moonstone in continuing to publish the Phantom for at least the next two years, and most likely far beyond that.

*The NEW Moonstone series, dubbed "Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks", will debut early next year. I'm currently scripting the second issue and have the first six issues plotted.

*Artist Silvestre Szilagyi is currently working on the first issue of the new series.

* Issue 26 of the current series will be the last one.

* #25 of the current series, the double sized conclusion to the massive CHECKMATE arc should be in stores in a few weeks.

* Phantom Annual 2008, co-written by me and Kevin "Blue Marvel" Grevioux is in the latest Previews magazine.

*We have several other "special" Phantom projects in various stages of creation, several of which are VERY BIG.

Stay Tuned.

[Lupek]

Here is the solicit for THE PHANTOM ANNUAL #2 (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0808/04/moonstonenov.htm) featuring Mandrake the Magician!

[Stressfactor]

Here is the solicit for THE PHANTOM ANNUAL #2 (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0808/04/moonstonenov.htm) featuring Mandrake the Magician!

HOLY CRAP!!! MANDRAKE!!!!!!!!:eek: :biggrin:

Sorry, but I love Mandrake the Magician and have been DYING for someone to bring the character back.

[Lupek]

I wonder what are the chances of a Mandrake series from Moonstone?

[Stressfactor]

I wonder what are the chances of a Mandrake series from Moonstone?

I brought it up to the guys staffing the Moonstone Comics booth at Wizard World Chicago a couple of years ago and as I recall they said that King Features held the Mandrake copyright and they were VERY tight about who they licensed to.

That being said, King Features needs to stop sitting on Mandrake because it's for darn sure no one ELSE is pounding on the door to use the character.

[Lupek]

I brought it up to the guys staffing the Moonstone Comics booth at Wizard World Chicago a couple of years ago and as I recall they said that King Features held the Mandrake copyright and they were VERY tight about who they licensed to.

That being said, King Features needs to stop sitting on Mandrake because it's for darn sure no one ELSE is pounding on the door to use the character.


I think there is a Mandrake movie in the works too.

I am a neophyte Phantom phan.....that part about Mandrake and the Phantom having never teamed up in a comic before, is that true? Does that include the strips too?

[Mike Bullock]

I think there is a Mandrake movie in the works too.

I am a neophyte Phantom phan.....that part about Mandrake and the Phantom having never teamed up in a comic before, is that true? Does that include the strips too?

They've worked together in newspaper strips, but never in US comic books.

[Libaax]

Have you guys heard about The Phantom might become four hour movie in Sci-Fi channel written by Knaufs ? One of them wrote the awesome HBO show Carnivalè.

I hope its true. I love Phantom in any form. He is my childhood hero. Way before i really read comics i was collecting him for many years.


Also im wondering about which stories are classic in his US comics version? Moonstone or not.

I want a great pulpy The Phantom story to read.

[Lupek]

I want a great pulpy The Phantom story to read.

I recently picked up the Phantom Chronicles. It's a collection of prose stories about the Phantom and includes a story by the man who posted just above you.

I've been meaning to start it and you have just inspired me to do so!

You can scope it out here......... http://www.moonstonebooks.com/phantom.asp

[Lupek]

Have you guys heard about The Phantom might become four hour movie in Sci-Fi channel written by Knaufs ? One of them wrote the awesome HBO show Carnivalè.

I hope its true. I love Phantom in any form. He is my childhood hero. Way before i really read comics i was collecting him for many years.


Also im wondering about which stories are classic in his US comics version? Moonstone or not.

I want a great pulpy The Phantom story to read.



I posted a link to that announcement a little earlier in the thread. I think the Knaufs did an excellent job on Iron Man and yes, Carnivale was great. I'm not sure about their take on the Phantom but I am open minded and it could be good.

Let's hope it's great......if it happens.

[Lupek]

Courtesy of Mike Bullock posting this on the Moonstone site, here is a very cool Phantom figure you can make out of paper......

http://www.professorplastik.com/monster_site/proscenium/kits/xtrakits/paperkits/professors_paper_empire/hako2point0/hako2point0%20pix/pdfs/hako%202point0%20as%20phantom.pdf

[Charles01]

Since Moonstone love to make us wait with impossible crazy delays on all my orders, like the Avenger Chronicles, and the Domino Lady; I think I'll just put my money elsewhere, and just wait for Dynamite Entertainment to start printing their own Phantom stories

[Lupek]

Since Moonstone love to make us wait with impossible crazy delays on all my orders, like the Avenger Chronicles, and the Domino Lady; I think I'll just put my money elsewhere, and just wait for Dynamite Entertainment to start printing their own Phantom stories

I dunno. I cut the small press publishers some slack in that regard. Waiting sucks but I am sure they want to get their stuff out in a timely manner.

[vazel]

I was brimming with joy at the news of a The Phantom series on Sci-Fi. But then I remembered how Sci-Fi started giving their new original shows very low budgets. :(

[Lupek]

I was brimming with joy at the news of a The Phantom series on Sci-Fi. But then I remembered how Sci-Fi started giving their new original shows very low budgets. :(

Their Flash Gordon remake was a big dissapointment, that is for sure.

[Lupek]

Here is the solicit for The Phantom: Ghost Who Walks #1 (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0810/15/moonstonefeb.htm)

And also the solicit for The Spider graphic novel.