The Phantom Vol. 1
Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Russell Olson
Published 2026 by Mad Cave Studios
Wow!
What a nostalgic romp back to the days of my youth.
In the 1970s, the adventures of The Phantom were published by Charlton Comics, running from issue #30 in 1969 through the final issue, #74, in January 1977. I was nine in 1969 and in my mid-teens by 1977, and I loved comic books, including The Phantom.
Of course, The Phantom predates my youth by decades.
Created by Lee Falk in 1936, The Phantom is one of the earliest costumed superheroes in comic history.
The character was always sort of a cross between Tarzan and a jungle-based Batman, and I loved his adventures.
Now creators Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson have revived the character for fans old and new.
This graphic novel collects a series of five regular comics, with Fawkes getting it just bang-on in terms of capturing the Phantom of my youth.
This adventure hits close to home, literally, for The Phantom. When a violent gang of smugglers stumbles upon the Bandar village, The Phantom’s home village, they take over and threaten its residents. The Phantom must come to the aid of the village, but even he can’t do it alone.
The action is fantastic, and it happily took me back decades.
A tip of the hat to the cover artists, too. A few of those covers would make great art prints for a “man cave” wall.
This one was a pure joy, given my history with The Phantom as one of the early comics that made me a fan of the medium.
A highlight read of the year.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
The Phantom Vol. 1
Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Russell Olson
Published 2026 by Mad Cave Studios
Wow!
What a nostalgic romp back to the days of my youth.
In the 1970s, the adventures of The Phantom were published by Charlton Comics, running from issue #30 in 1969 through the final issue, #74, in January 1977. I was nine in 1969 and in my mid-teens by 1977, and I loved comic books, including The Phantom.
Of course, The Phantom predates my youth by decades.
Created by Lee Falk in 1936, The Phantom is one of the earliest costumed superheroes in comic history.
The character was always sort of a cross between Tarzan and a jungle-based Batman, and I loved his adventures.
Now creators Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson have revived the character for fans old and new.
This graphic novel collects a series of five regular comics, with Fawkes getting it just bang-on in terms of capturing the Phantom of my youth.
This adventure hits close to home, literally, for The Phantom. When a violent gang of smugglers stumbles upon the Bandar village, The Phantom’s home village, they take over and threaten its residents. The Phantom must come to the aid of the village, but even he can’t do it alone.
The action is fantastic, and it happily took me back decades.
A tip of the hat to the cover artists, too. A few of those covers would make great art prints for a “man cave” wall.
This one was a pure joy, given my history with The Phantom as one of the early comics that made me a fan of the medium.
A highlight read of the year.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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