The Brazilian based Mythos Editora have announced the release of a new Phantom comic book titled ‘O Fantasma Omnibus – Os Bandoleiros Das Trevas Orientais & Outras Historias‘.

This volume pays tribute to George Olesen, a pivotal artist who dedicated approximately four decades to illustrating the Phantom comic strip. Olesen began his journey with the series in 1962, initially assisting Sy Barry as a penciller and layout artist for the Sunday strips, and later extending his expertise to the daily strips from 1980 until 1994. His tenure ensured a seamless visual continuity for the series, captivating readers with his detailed artistry.

He’s credited as working on 32 daily Phantom comic strip stories from 1994 thru till 2005 and 11 Sunday Phantom comic strip stories from 1994 thru till 2000, alongside Sy Barry, Keith Williams, Fred Fredericks, Paul Ryan and Erik Doescher.

While specific details about the contents of this omnibus are yet to be disclosed, it is anticipated to follow the high standards set by previous releases in the ‘O Fantasma Omnibus’ series. These editions have been known for their hardcover format, approximately 17 cm x 26 cm in size, encompassing between 528 to 576 pages of black-and-white artwork, and presented in Portuguese.

The pre-sale advertisement on the Mythos Editora website tells us that the stories found within the book are written by Phantom creator Lee Falk, and the comic strips are illustrated by George Olesen:

In 1936, when Lee Falk launched his newest creation in the world of comic strips, he could not yet measure the impact it would have on the entire medium. Together with his longest-serving partner, artist Sy Barry, he developed even more dynamic and engaging stories of the legendary hero, revitalizing him for a new generation of readers. The Phantom, the 21st holder of a secular title, would influence authors and fans alike, remaining in the popular imagination for decades. American artist George Olesen illustrated the classic daily Phantom strips for almost 40 years, but only received due and deserved credit after Sy Barry retired and Keith Williams took over as the publication’s inker. This very special Omnibus edition from Mythos Editora brings these stories in a definitive form, doing justice to the hero’s immortal legacy, with the aim of being passed on to future generations of readers, lasting the Ghost-Who-Walks for countless ages.

A sample of internal pages can be seen below.

This edition is numbered Volume 1, with an assumption that Mythos Editora will be releasing a follow-up edition or editions. This Omnibus style comic book marks the 8th released, with artists featured in past comic books including Ray Moore, Wilson McCoy and Sy Barry.

Pre-orders for O Fantasma Omnibus – Os Bandoleiros Das Trevas Orientais & Outras Historias are currently open on the official Mythos Editora website, with the release scheduled for March 2025. This release not only celebrates George Olesen’s significant contributions but also continues Mythos Editora’s commitment to preserving and honoring the rich legacy of the Phantom in the world of comics.

To read the full advertisement on the Mythos Editora website, click HERE

---