The Ghost Who Walks Returns—The Phantom #1 On Sale This September!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

JUNE 19, 2025, (PORTLAND, OR) — The Ghost Who Walks is back—and he’s not alone.

After a wildly successful Free Comic Book Day preview with issue #0, Mad Cave Studios in partnership with King Features is proud to announce THE PHANTOM #1, the newest reimagined series from award-winning writer Ray Fawkes (Gotham by Midnight, One Soul) and celebrated pulp illustrator and colorist Russell Olson (Gateway City, The Darkest Judge). Lettered by the award-winning Taylor Esposito, this is The Phantom as you’ve never seen him—grounded in myth, sharpened by legacy, and ready to walk again!

Rooted in the legend of Kit Walker—the 21st Phantom—this new series expands on the mythos of Lee Falk’s enduring creation. The stakes are personal, the enemies disturbingly real, and the fight steeped in moral gravity. It’s a story about solidarity, resistance, and what it means to protect a legacy without becoming the thing you stand against.

This exciting first issue features variant cover art by Freddie Williams II (Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) in full color and black-and-white options; Caanan White (Uber, Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer); Russell Olson (Gateway City, SKRAWL); Dan Brereton (The Nocturnals, Batman: Thrillkiller); and Natacha Bustos (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Spider-Woman)—plus a sketch cover and a Mad Cave Exclusive variant by Maria Wolf (Moon Knight)!

THE GHOST WHO WALKS, WALKS AGAIN! The Phantom returns! Created by Lee Falk in 1936, The Phantom is one of the first costumed superheroes in history, with untold influence on pop culture. Now, critically acclaimed creators Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson reimagine the character for fans old and new. When a violent gang of smugglers stumbles on an idyllic Bandar village, the peace that The Phantom has brought to the African nation of Bangalla will suddenly shatter. It will take all of The Phantom’s many skills — and allies — to restore it. The most exciting series of the year starts here!

“Seeing the incredibly positive reaction to the Free Comic Book Day issue of The Phantom only got me even more excited to take part in making this series happen,” said writer Ray Fawkes. “The Phantom and all of his supporting cast have such an unbridled sense of fun and adventure that I can’t help but love them all. I feel like readers will see that on every page!”

Series artist, Russell Olson, added, “From long-time Phans to first-time readers, the responses I’ve received for the FCBD issue have been overwhelming. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Ray and the whole crew at Mad Cave to deliver a great Phantom book.  I love pulp storytelling and swashbuckling adventure, and there’s no better character in Comics to explore those themes than The Ghost Who Walks. I’m jazzed for folks to see the new series.”

The Phantom #1 delivers immersive, morally grounded storytelling—where legacy, justice, and resistance collide in a timely, character-driven adventure, and hits shelves September 24, 2025.

Preorder from your local comic shop to secure your copy. Retailers interested in exclusive variants are encouraged to contact Mad Cave—no minimums required!