The Phantom: The Complete newspaper dailies: Volume One

The Phantom
The Complete newspaper dailies: Volume One 1936-1937
Author: Lee Falk
Artist: Ray Moore
Reprint publisher: Hermes Press
Copyright @ 2014 King Features Syndicate, INC; Hearst Holdings, Inc: reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-1-61345-063-5
Cost $ 49.99
Reviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets
Jazma Online

The hardcover book starts off with introduction about the Phantom wrote by Ron Goulart. He was an award winning writer who chronicled the art of comic books, comic strips, pulps, and popular culture for over forty years. He won numerous awards and critical acclaim for his books. he wrote about Leon Harrison Gross was born on April 28, 1911, in St. Louis. By the time he had sold his first comic strip, Mandrake the Magician, he had changed his name to Lee Falk. He was 23 when he sold comic strip to the largest syndicate in America, William Randolph Hearst. Two years later he came up with The Phantom and King bought that as well. The Phantom was called The Ghost who Walks. Lee wrote the stories and Ray Moore drew panels for publication. The first strip of The Phantom is dated 2-17-1936. The Phantom was a daily strip. The panels were in black and white format. I was introduced in opening panels to Diana Palmer. She had future love interest with The Phantom. I learned about The Singh Brotherhood. I learned about The Phantom's origin. I learned how it seemed like always Phantom for 400 years. I learned how new Phantom was oldest son of last Phantom. This is how always seemed to be Phantom even if one died. I learned about way Phantom brought peace in jungle area that he lived. I liked how The Phantom did not have any super powers. He was very skilled with guns from his holster. I also got to read about women pirates named The Sky Band. I liked how these same characters were shown in The Phantom movie with Billy Zane.The Phantoms dog Devil was also first shown in early Phantom comic strips. I liked how comic strips were always having little cliff hanger endings or next day tidbits. The book put together 3 story compilations. The Singh Brotherhood from page 14 to 130. The Sky Band from 131-197. The Diamond Hunters from page 198-267. The last comic strip was from December 31, 1937. I really enjoyed that all strips were put together from 1936-1937. I was able to learn lots about the history of The Phantom. There other other The Phantom volumes. I got my copy from inter library loan service. I also watched The Phantom movie. I also learned that Lee Falk died in 1999. The Phantom even exists in comic book form. I know Mike Bullock was one of The Phantom authors in last ten years. The comic book was published by Moonstone Books. The Phantom volume one 1936-1937 is great way to read about one of the earliest comic book non-super hero characters. The Phantom existed in era before Superman or Batman. Marvel # 1 was still not yet on news stands. I think young adult to adult reading range.


Mike Bullock


Allen Klingelhoets