17 Dec 1997
- The King Features website now features a one week archive of the latest Phantom daily strips. They lag two weeks behind the actual appearance dates, but that's better than nothing at all. Click HERE to go directly to the Phantom page.
15 Dec 1997
- In the Nr.16 1997 issue of the Scandinavian Phantom comics published by Semic, the Stig & Grieg comic by Alf Woxnerud featured a spoof of the Phantom origin legend. Click on the thumbnail image to your right to see the page, complete with an English translation (236kb).
11 Dec 1997
- My friend Stephen Baggs from Bairnsdale in Victoria, Australia, has launched his own Phantom webpage. Please pay a visit to The Bandar Village. You'll find a really cool little quiz to put your Phantom-knowledge to the test.
- The King Features website has been officially open for the last couple of weeks -- sorry about the late notice.
23 Nov 1997
- The trailer now showing in the USA for the new movie Zorro features some of the music from The Phantom. It's the piece from about a minute into track three of the soundtrack CD -- the part where the Phantom appears riding Hero through the jungle. A similar thing was done in the trailer for The Phantom -- it's different to the music they used in the movie.
- Most of the range of Davenport Phantom clothing items are now available by mail order on the web at the Look Down and Smile site. There's ties, boxer shorts, and socks, all with nice Phantom designs. I'm not sure if it's an "official" Davenport site, but that doesn't really matter. At last some competition for Granny May's.
1 Nov 1997
- Two new Swedish websites for your enjoyment: Isak Savo and an Unofficial Jungle Patrol site.
- Masked wrestling superstar, Rey Mysterio Junior, noted for paying homage to superheroes with the colourful costumes he wears to the ring, honoured The Phantom, The Ghost Who Walks, while winning the WCW Cruiserweight Championship in last Sunday night's WCW Halloween Havoc wrestling promotion, with a brilliant rendition of the Phantom's purple outfit. The Ghost Who Walks would be proud of the spectacular moves Rey performed, and with Rey's "good over evil" wrestling approach. This match is worth a look even to non-wrestling phans. (thanks to Lanny Slavey for this review)
24 Oct 1997
- I've just learnt that King Features are exploring the idea of offering vintage comics to subscribers. It will probably be sometime in late 1998 before they will be able to commence. I urge you to email George Haeberlein (National Sales Director), and voice your interest in this project. Meanwhile, the King Features website will be up and running on a permanent basis in a few weeks, although I am unsure if they will be providing regularly updated Phantom strips (the current ones).
- Another Aussie by the name of Luke Reifler has launched a Phantom website. This page has been around for about seven months but I only just found out about it. I think you'll enjoy Luke's Phantom family tree, and the Phantom stories he's written.
17 Oct 1997
- King Features have launched a webpage. At the moment it is in testing, but you can have a sneak preview by clicking HERE. Thanks to Rusty Rafferty for the tip about this webpage.
12 Oct 1997
- The 1998 Phantom Diary (Mallon Publishing) is now available for R.R.P. of Aus$21.95. I found mine at the local Granny Mays store, but I'm sure they'll also be available from bookshops and newsagents. This year sees a change in style of the diary from the traditional hardcover, to a softcover ring-bound version. It's also quite a bit smaller than the hardcover diaries. You can read more about the contents of the new diary HERE
8 Oct 1997
- The latest issue of Comics Revue (#138) has a very nice Phantom cover by Romano Felmang. This is Felmang's fourth cover for Comics Revue -- others were #75, #88 and #105. Details about this publication and other issues with Phantom covers can be found HERE.
- If you're searching for any of the Italian Phantom comics produced in the 1960s and 1970s by Fratelli Spada, I recommend that you contact Tony Raiola from Pacific Comics Club. He has plenty of spares and is keen to find a good home for them.
28 Sep 1997
- Ivan Pedersen's webpage has changed address slightly. The old address will redirect you to the new one, but I recommend you update your bookmarks/favourites.
- Besides that it's been a slow old time in terms of Phantom News! Granny May's Father's Day catalogue was a major disappointment this year. It's usually chock full of new Phantom merchandise. This year ... nothing! I hope Christmas will be different.
21 Aug 1997
- Bob Jenson has created another Phantom wallpaper ... this time he's used stills from the Phantom Movie. Click HERE to see it.
15 Aug 1997
- Berin Denham's Phantom webpage has moved. Don't forget to have a look and update your bookmarks.
10 Aug 1997
- An amateur artist by the name of Jeremy Ball has launched a new Phantom webpage. Jeremy is working on creating his own Phantom "comic" that will eventually appear in his website. From the samples already available, the story should be quite good. Jeremy has also created a tribute page to the late Keith Chatto, who illustrated three of the four Australian-made Phantom stories.
5 Aug 1997
- Rick Norwood, publisher of Comics Revue now has himself a webpage.
31 Jul 1997
- A fellow Phantom phan by the name of Bob Jenson has created a beautiful piece of artwork which can be used as a background wallpaper. You won't want to miss this! Click HERE to see it.
26 Jul 1997
More news from Frew Publications:
- Frew are planning to create their own webpage! The content has been tentatively sketched out already. You will soon be able to subscribe to Frew's Phantom comic directly via the internet. This is quite a turn-around considering that only a year ago Jim was completely against the idea.
- Speaking of subscriptions ... USA residents can now subscribe to Frew's Phantom comic by sending a personal check for US$120 to Frew Publications. There is now no need to arrange an international bank draft, but all up it will cost you about the same anyway. Look HERE for more information.
- The first issue of The Phantom Magazine is ready to go except for the cover. It should be published within the next 6-7 months at the latest. For those who subscribe to the Phantom comic, this magazine will NOT form part of the subscription.
- A "complete" reconstructed reprint of The Adventures of Lucy Cary is set to appear in #1175 on 29 August.
20 Jul 1997
- Ed Rhoades has launched a webpage for his Friends of the Phantom newsletter. Be prepared for more self-adulation and braggadoccio.
12 Jul 1997
- An update on the activities of Frew Publications:
- Jim Shepherd returned about two weeks ago from his annual trip to the USA. He didn't meet Lee Falk this time because Lee was stricken with a cold. The return journey was via Sweden where Jim met with Ulf Granberg and other Semic staff. He obtained several older Semic stories for future publication, and was reassured that Semic would be returning to the more traditional jungle adventures over the next 12 months.
- Permission has been received from KFS for Frew to publish The Phantom Magazine. KFS stalled the process last year while the movie was in release. Apparently they did not want Frew's activities to interfere with Trielle's diary and movie magazine.
- Frew's 50th anniversary will be celebrated in style in September 1998. Jim is planning a special issue that MIGHT include a colourised story. There are also plans to include revised cross-referenced lists that cover all Lee Falk's daily and Sunday stories, Frew's publishing chronology, and the details of all the Semic stories printed by Frew (writer & artist credits, plus Semic's first appearance issue numbers).
- Frew are currently working on compiling a complete reprint of The Adventures of Lucy Cary. The story is presenting the usual problems experienced with others from the 1960s, so expect to see numerous panels out of order and some chopped in half.
- Jim would like to convert to a regular weekly series (rather than fornightly + specials), but KFS are not keen on the idea. The special issues that Frew currently produce are quite successful and KFS are loath to risk the $$$.
- The landscape printing format has been reconsidered in recent times by Frew, as a possible solution to the problems they have with lay-out of daily Phantom stories. The Frew comics began with the landscape format and it was even trialled for some of the Mandrake comics in 1990/91. However it was found to "turn some people off", and the portrait format will continue in the foreseeable future.
- Other news provided by Jim Shepherd:
- In Australia, The Phantom Movie will be available to purchase on home video in November.
- The Intrepid trading card company has definitely gone out of business.
- Trielle, publisher of one of the 1997 Phantom Diaries and the Phantom Movie Magazine, has gone out of business.
- The distributing rights for Semic has been taken over by Egmont, from the previous holder Bonnier.
4 Jul 1997
- If you'd like to see a sequel to The Phantom Movie, then please write to Paramount Pictures at 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA 90038, USA.
30 Jun 1997
- A breath of life has been detected in the Phantom Official Fan Club Australia, with the mailing of their latest newsletter. This one is #13 and it has been about 9 months since the last newsletter. It is obvious that this issue was intended to be sent out in January this year, because the vast majority of the information contained in it is at least 6 months old. The highlights of this issue are articles by Chris Lassig on the Phantom as a "cut-price" comic book hero, and Duncan Munro's review of the Phantom Movie (both gents are first year club members). The newsletter also includes a Phantom Gallery Card Series promo card, and three special offers:
- Limited edition (150) framed decoupage portrait of the Phantom, produced by Legends Alive ($469).
- Limited edition (700) Phantom Master Cel, produced by Intrepid ($95). Includes a free set of Phantom Country cards.
- Limited edition (150) Phantom chase-card folder with ALL of the chase cards from the three sets produced by Intrepid, including the elusive G0 ($300).
13 Jun 1997
- The Granny May's Website is now up and running. You can visit the site, see what new Phantom merchandise they have available, and purchase it by mail order. They have a new range of Davenport Phantom satin apparel (boxer shorts, necktie, waistcoat), and you can see what they look like at this website. There's not much Phantom stuff in there yet, but just wait until Father's Day approaches (7th September), and there'll be a veritable flood!
11 Jun 1997
- The next edition of Jungle Beat by the Independent Phantom Club of Australia is still on it's way. John Henderson is struggling to gather sufficient funds to pay for it. Hopefully it'll be out within the next month or so.
- The Phantom Movie is now available for home purchase in the USA. I guess that in Australia, we can expect to see it on the shelves for the September school holidays.
2 Jun 1997
- Bad news about the The Phantom daily strip on the San Jose Mercury News webpage. After about two weeks of free access, it now appears that we have to pay for the privilege.
23 May 1997
- The Phantom daily strip is now available via the internet. It seems to be a legitimate site!
17 May 1997
- The Norwegian Semic homepage is up and running. Check it out!
- Greg Raftery's Phantom webpage has moved. Don't forget to have a look and update your bookmarks.
- Some news on the Official Phantom Fan Club Australia. Apparently the recent delays in sending out newsletters have been caused by a change in publishing practice. They now type them up themselves and layout all the graphics, instead of sending that off to a printing company to handle. This will supposedly save a lot of time and they're expecting to have the next newsletter out by the end of this month. All commitments to current subscription (ie. 4 newsletters per year's membership), should be met by Christmas 97. They are not intending to wrap up the Club's activities after getting these next few issues out of the way. We'll have to wait and see what they come up with.
8 May 1997
- Paul McCall has added some examples of caricatures he's done for a couple of Phantom Phans. Click HERE and follow the link to the "color gallery pages" (check the bottom of the page when you get there). Paul is also the person behind my caricature.
26 April 1997
- Michael Reed has started another Aussie Phantom page. This one contains a long list of Old Jungle Sayings.
8 April 1997
- Another Aussie Phantom fan has started a web page. Please visit Berin Denham's Phantom page.
- The Royal Easter Show in Sydney lived up to tradition again this year, with three different showbags containing Phantom comics. The relevant showbags were Agro's TV & Video Snacks, Old Aussie Style Licorice, and World's Biggest Showbag. Each contained a single randomly selected back issue Phantom comic.
31 March 1997
- CIVIC VIDEO in Australia are holding a Phantom competition to mark the Australian video release of The Phantom Movie. Third prize (10 packs) is a Phantom mouse mat, cap, blockmounted poster, Phantom ring and T-shirt. Second prize is a framed set of Phantom collector cards and a framed uncut Jusko card from the Movie card series. Entries close 9 May 1997. Oh ... and what's first prize? A five night holiday on Hamilton Island. You'll find your entry forms in the CIVIC Home Entertainment Magazine (April 1997) which you can pick up at your local CIVIC store. Good luck!
26 March 1997
- Good news at last for members of The Independent Phantom Club of Australia -- John Henderson is intending to have the next issue of Jungle Beat ready to be posted out in mid-April. John is also thinking about making a web page for the Club, but it means he'll have to buy a modem first.
22 March 1997
- The Australian video release of the Phantom movie is expected to be 7 April.
- The Target chain of department stores in Australia have a Phantom "Lolly Jar" available. You can fill it with your selection of mixed lollies and pay $4.50 (I think) for the lot. They've been around for quite a few months now, but I've only just discovered which stores had them!
21 Feb 1997
- Frew Phantom #1159 released; details of each new Frew Phantom comic can now be found on the New@FREW page.
7 Feb 1997
- Frew Phantom #1158 released; Guardians of the Dead, Script: Donne Avenell, Art: César Spadari, Cover: Tessa, 36 pages. No Phantom Forum in this issue.
2 Feb 1997
- Information about the Model and Toy Collector magazine is available via THIS LINK. You can arrange a subscription using the following address:
Model and Toy Collector The Fall 1996 edition is a definite must for Phantom fans (see news for 6 Dec 1996 for more information).
P.O. Box 347240
Cleveland OH, 44134-9998
Phone: (216) 843-9522
Fax: (216) 843-9523
$20.00 / 4 issues; $5.00 / sample copy
31 Jan 1997
- The subscribing program for Monkey Mail is temporarily out of order. If you want to subscribe or unsubscribe send an email to Chris Merrigan. Please note that I do NOT maintain Monkey Mail. Chris is the person to talk to about all Monkey Mail enquiries.
24 Jan 1997
- Frew Phantom #1157 released; The Curse of the Singh Brotherhood, Script: Lennart Moberg, Art: Heiner Bade, Cover: Antonio Lemos, 36 pages.
- A small thumbnail image of the cover of Model and Toy Collector (Fall 1996), is now shown in the entry for 6 Dec 1996. Don't forget to check it out.
- Granny May's have three new Phantom items for sale. There's a money-box, pencil-case and glasses-case, each made from some sort of metal (aluminium probably). They all have a tiled Phantom design which was featured on boxer shorts a couple years ago, and sell for Aus$8 each.
- Alternate Worlds comic shop is advertising a set of Phantom cloisinne pins for Aus$99.95 (inc P&H). These are full-colour enamel pins which were produced in a limited run of 200. They were designed by Mike Higgs who was one of the cover artists used for the Wolf Phantom comics. Each pin measures about 25mm across, and they come in a display box with a letter of authenticity from the designer. Another set of these pins is hoped to be produced with the same designs but about double the size. They will be made in greater numbers and will probably be less expensive.
- OZCON6 is back at Centrepoint Convention Centre, Sydney, on 1st and 2nd March this year. David De Vries, Glenn Lumsden and Glenn Ford will be attending the convention and presumably will be available for signings. Ticket enquiries to (02) 9267 1693 or email info@ozcon.com. You can also inspect the official OZCON Web Page.
10 Jan 1997
- Frew Phantom #1156 released; 332 page Annual Special ($10), Cover: Tessa
Contents list as shown below in entry for 13 Dec 1996.
Includes 4 pages of Forum letters, a 2 page summary of the 1996 publishing output from FREW, and an introduction to what's ahead in 1997. In the near future, we will see more European stories (The Curse of the Singh Brotherhood, Guardians of the Dead, The Wages of Sin, The Fatal Letters, The Devil's Library Pt.4), Lee Falk's latest stories (The Trials of Prince Rex, and Dig), and a few golden oldies from the 1960s and 1980s. The best news -- Jim Shepherd has a lead on finding pristine original artwork for The Beachcomber and The Saboteurs!
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