Phantom Phan

Just a Phan with a ridiculously large collection of Frew Phantom comics. #thephantom

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

Okay, here's the deal. Each comic gets a rating out of 5 (mainly based on my enjoyment of it). I will hold more recent stories to higher standards than earlier ones - because, let's be honest, there's a LOT of problematic stuff in #ThePhantom lol

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

Hunters’ Prey Pt 3
The Phantom wrangles his next clue out of Tarquin and has an unsatisfactory visit to the police. This part amused me. It is rather dodgy when the Phantom drops off crooks while masked himself! It’s also nice to see that he catches some sleep when he can.
3.5/5

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

No 2016
We have two stories in this issue, neither of which have been published here before (one is a Frew original). The Team Fantomen story is printed to commemorate artist Heiner Bade. As is my usual custom, I’ll use its original title.

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

Dark Smoke over Bengali
A reporter hoping to prove that a gang is conducting illegal logging for charcoal is abducted. Enter the Phantom. It’s a run-on-the-mill story and works well, thanks to the competent pens of both writer and artist. The denouement feels rushed, however.
3/5

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

I think you can all guess what arrived today.

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

#thephantom #comics

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

#thephantom #comics

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

@JulieDitrich @FrewPubl The art for this serial was absolutely stunning. Definitely added to the atmosphere.

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

The Flirtatious Princess Pt 2 (Dailies)
Rpt 58. The Phantom kidnaps a princess to avert a war between suitors, but now she wants to marry him! Mercifully, I only had to read half of it this time. I can now see its (dated) comedic value. But the rating remains unchanged.
1.5/5

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

No 2015 — Replica Series No 45
Four issues from 1953 are included here for our reading pleasure. They are Nos 61, 60, 59 and 58. I have reviewed all of them in some shape or form in the past.

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

The Governor’s Family
Rpt 59. The Bengali governor’s wife and son are kidnapped, causing headaches for everyone — including the kidnappers. This story gets the worse every time I read it. But it’s not as bad as the one-page Kellogg’s ad that follows it here. Rating unchanged.
1/5

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

The Magician’s Curse Pt 3
Mandrake and the Phantom confront Drayke, with the help of magic and ghosts. I understand the space constraints, but there really needed to be more setup before this part. A lacklustre finale. But I enjoyed the Phantom’s ancestors coming to his aid.
2/5

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

No 2014 — The Phantom and Mandrake (2026 Annual Special)
A special featuring crossover stories from both Phantom and Mandrake franchises. My dislike of Mandrake the Magician is well documented, but I’ll survive. Somehow.

[Phantom Phan @FrewPhantomPhan]

The Magician’s Curse Pt 2
Mandrake leaves his job as a cruise magician to hunt down a mass hypnotist and finds a reflection of himself. Another part that could easily have been published during Mandrake’s original run — and another part hampered by its brevity.
2.5/5