Celebrating Fantomen’s 75th Anniversary!

For generations of Swedes, the Phantom and his exciting adventures have been just a turn of a page away. This year, the legendary Swedish comic book Fantomen marks an incredible milestone: its 75th Anniversary!!!

Since its debut on the 5th of October 1950, Fantomen has been more than just a comic, it’s been a cultural institution, making it one of the longest-running and most beloved comic book series in Sweden (more information HERE).

The Phantom’s journey in Sweden began even earlier, with comic strips appearing in the magazine Vecko-Revyn in 1940 (more information HERE). However, 1950 saw the launch of the dedicated, fortnightly comic book, Serietidningen Fantomen (translating to The Phantom Comic Book), later retitled to just Fantomen. The very first issue which can be seen below (with cover art by George Camitz), featured the Lee Falk classic ‘The Maharajah’s Daughter‘, illustrated by Wilson McCoy, cemented the Phantom in the hearts of Swedish readers (more information HERE).

As the series evolved over time, we started to see Phantom stories created and published by ‘Team Fantomen‘. Starting in the 1960s, a team of Swedish writers and international artists began creating original Phantom stories specifically for the comic book. This unique tradition has produced over a thousand stories, deepening the mythos of the Phantom and keeping the adventures fresh for decades, with many of these stories translated and published by foreign publishing houses, often influencing how the character is perceived globally.

To commemorate the anniversary of the Fantomen comic book series, on the 20th of August 2025, the publisher Story House Egmont released a 124-page bumper anniversary double issue, edition number 18-19, which comprises of five Phantom comic strip stories. The comic book was well received, selling out in various regions of Sweden shortly after its release in retail outlets, thus establishing itself as a ‘must-have‘ item among collectors and fans.

The front and back covers of this edition can be seen below, with the front cover featuring the Phantom alongside Gothenburg’s iconic Poseidon statue illustrated by Henrik Sahlström.

Most excitingly for Swedish fans, the issue features a brand-new celebratory story where the Phantom and his wife Diana take a holiday in a very familiar setting, Gothenburg, Sweden, written by by Pidde Andersson and illustrated by Janusz Ordon titled ‘Kalla Fiskar, Heta Stålar‘ (translating to Cold Fish, Hot Cash). It’s a fun adventure that sees the Phantom grappling with Scandinavian customs and, inevitably, a local mystery involving seafood smuggling, a clever nod to Gothenburg’s famous maritime culture.

The courageous initiative undertaken by Team Fantomen in the 1960s to introduce original storylines significantly contributed to the Phantom’s universal appeal, supported by the committed editorial team that has diligently preserved his legacy. Over the years, the comic has evolved, sometimes addressing social and current issues in our world, while consistently upholding a high standard of storytelling, artistry and publishing.

Whether you’re a long-time fan who recalling the transition of Phantom adventures from black-and-white to color, or a new reader picking up the anniversary issue for the first time, this 75th Anniversary of Fantomen’s continued publication serves as a genuine testament to the contributions of numerous creative individuals.

Happy Anniversary to Fantomen!!!