The Phantom – Origin and history

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The origin and history of the Phantom, the superhero created by Lee Falk that debuted in the adventure comic strip The Phantom on February 17, 1936 and would be later depicted in many forms of media, including television shows, films, comic books, and video games. Get the full info here.

Overview

This video originally published on August 19, 2021 brings and illustrates the origin and history of the Phantom, the pulp superhero/crime fighter created by Lee Falk that debuted in the adventure comic strip The Phantom on February 17, 1936 and would be later depicted in many forms of media, including television shows, films, comic books, and video games (and we have some here, here and here).

This Marvelous Videos’ publication starts telling us that before superheroes like Superman soared into the world of comics, several iconic crime fighters had already graced the pages of newspaper comics. Among the earliest was The Phantom, also known as “The Ghost Who Walks” and “The Man Who Never Dies”.

The Phantom was inspired by legendary characters from history and mythology, such as Zorro, Tarzan, King Arthur, and Robin Hood. Lee Falk’s creation became a pioneer in the world of superheroes, with innovations such as the white eyes behind the mask and the iconic costume featuring tights and “underwear” over the pants. These features would later be adopted by other famous superheroes, such as Green Lantern, Batman, and even Superman.

The Phantom first appeared in 1936, but the character’s legacy extended beyond the comic strips into major comic publishers like Marvel and DC Comics, as well as live-action adaptations, most notably the 1996 film starring Billy Zane. There is a miniseries from 2009 that is quite interesting, but wasn’t really mentioned in this video.

Powers, abilities, and weapons

The Phantom is a unique character who doesn’t possess superhuman abilities (except in the excellent Defenders of the Earth animation). Rather, he relies on his wits, martial arts skills, and physical prowess. While he’s not imbued with special powers, The Phantom excels in various forms of combat and is a master of many languages. He carries a pair of 45 caliber pistols and is in peak human condition, with exceptional strength, speed, and stamina.

His distinctive purple costume, though, was initially depicted in black, white, or blue in early editions due to the limitations of color printing in the 1930s.

The Phantom’s evolution in comics

The Phantom’s journey began as a daily newspaper strip, debuting on February 17, 1936. Lee Falk, the creator of Mandrake the Magician, wrote and drew the initial issues, with Ray Moore later becoming the first prominent artist to illustrate The Phantom. By 1939, the strip expanded into Sunday editions.

During the 1940s, several U.S. comic publishers, such as Ace Comics and King Comics, printed Phantom comics, with more famous publishers like DC Comics taking up the mantle in the late 1980s. These comics shifted The Phantom‘s focus to contemporary issues, such as piracy, hunger, and even racism. Marvel also produced limited-run Phantom comics, with the character being reimagined in a more futuristic and tech-savvy context.

Phantom comics gained popularity globally, with notable success in countries like India and Australia. In India, Indrajal Comics reprinted Falk’s stories, expanding The Phantom‘s legacy into multiple languages.

The Phantom’s origin story

The story of the Phantom begins with Christopher Walker, a young sailor born in Portsmouth in 1516. After surviving a pirate attack that claimed his father’s life, Christopher was found by a tribal group in the jungles of Bangla. Here, he took the famous “Oath of the Skull” and vowed to fight piracy, greed, and cruelty in all their forms. The Phantom’s legacy, as “The Ghost Who Walks,” is passed down through generations, with each new Phantom taking on the mantle after the previous one retires. Interestingly, there have been female Phantoms, the most notable being the 17th Phantom, Julie Walker.

The Phantom on screen: movies and serial adaptations

The Phantom has made several appearances on screen, most notably in the 1943 movie serial and the 1996 film adaptation. The 1943 serial, starring Tom Tyler, took creative liberties with the character’s backstory due to budget constraints, while the 1996 film, featuring Billy Zane, sought to bring a more faithful adaptation to life.

Despite these efforts, the character of The Phantom has not yet received the cinematic recognition many believe it deserves. The film versions, while entertaining, often failed to capture the character’s full potential. Nonetheless, the Phantom remains an important precursor to the modern superhero, influencing characters such as Batman, Green Lantern, and even the iconic Spider-Man.

However, there is the outstanding Phantom 2040 animated series, which aired in 1994. The show takes inspiration from the classic Phantom comic strip, reimagining the story in a futuristic setting. It follows the journey of Kit Walker, the 24th Phantom, as he navigates a cyberpunk world of advanced technology, corporate corruption, and environmental decay. Unlike its predecessors, Phantom 2040 introduces a new, high-tech interpretation of the Phantom legacy, incorporating themes of artificial intelligence and environmental issues. The series blends traditional elements with futuristic ones, highlighting the enduring relevance of the Phantom’s ideals while updating the mythos for a new generation of viewers.

Conclusion

The Phantom may not have achieved the same level of mainstream fame as other superheroes, but his influence on the superhero genre is undeniable. With his rich backstory, legacy of crime fighting, and lasting cultural impact, The Phantom remains one of the most significant characters in the evolution of pulp heroes. Lee Falk’s creation deserves recognition as a true pioneer of the superhero genre—one whose legacy is still alive in comic books, films, television, and, of course, games.