The story of how the legendary comic strip hero the Phantom first walked across the pages of the Turkish press is a fascinating snapshot of cultural exchange. Far from the purple tights and the jungle home familiar to international audiences, the Phantom made his debut in the Turkish newspaper Haber Akşam Postası under a unique and evocative title: Kızıl Gölge (which translates to The Red Shadow).

This early 1930s Turkish newspaper, Haber Akşam Postası, was more than just a purveyor of news; it was a media instrument deeply embedded in the ideological landscape of the early Turkish Republic. During an era dominated by the foundational principles of Kemalism, the press often functioned to promote secularism, modernization, and the national identity championed by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The newspaper documented domestic events and cultural transformation, actively participating in the construction of the modern Turkish citizen.

It’s in this politically charged environment that the international adventure strip, The Phantom was first published on the 11th of November 1938.

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The arrival of the costumed hero was announced the day before the comic strip went to print, in the 10th of November 1938 edition of Haber Akşam Postası newspaper. This timing is particularly poignant, as the 10th of November 1938, was the date of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s death. While the nation navigated a moment of profound uncertainty and the transition to İsmet İnönü’s leadership, the newspaper, focused on maintaining national unity and stability, simultaneously introduced a new form of modern, international entertainment.

The publisher’s notification, translated, presented the new feature as a pictorial style novel about a mysterious, avenging figure:

THE RED SHADOW

A shadow that appears in the most terrifying events and, “oppressed,” clashes with the most vicious murderers, demanding their favor. It escapes the most terrifying situations with ease. This new novel is in the genre, the pictorial style, of which readers are well acquainted with dangers and whose adventures they follow with pleasure (X 9).

We begin both of our novels tomorrow.

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The story that premiered on the 11th of November 1938, was none other than ‘The Singh Brotherhood’, the very first daily strip story, originally written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Ray Moore, which had begun its American run in February 1936.

The use of the title Kızıl Gölge (Red Shadow) for the Turkish publication is notable. While the hero is best known globally as The Phantom, in Turkey, his enduring and most popular title would later become Kızılmaske (which translates to Red Mask).

The Haber Akşam Postası era represents an initial, exploratory phase in the Phantom’s Turkish journey. The newspaper’s editorial description of The Red Shadow, seen on the page above to the left of the comic strip, focused on his role as a mysterious protector and enemy of evil:

Let’s introduce the hero of our new novel: In Bengal, a mysterious figure excites the curiosity and curiosity of honest men and makes bandits and murderers tremble with fear: “Red shadow!”

This man is a protector of the weak and the helpless, an enemy of bandits and murderers. He appears at the most unexpected times, sometimes appearing on one side of my world, sometimes on another, running everywhere to combat evil, reaching everywhere.

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In Haber Akşam Postası newspaper published on the following day, the 12th of November 1938, the Phantom comic strip continues, with the Phantom seen more prominently by readers, under the title of Kızıl Gölge.

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The reference to ‘Red’ (Kızıl) in the title is likely derived from the coloring of the comic strip’s syndicated prints internationally at the time. While the Phantom famously wears a purple costume, early international publishers, often working from black-and-white proofs or relying on local market preferences, frequently rendered him in RED – a color common for the character in countries such as Italy, France, Brazil and Spain.

The fact that the name Kızıl Gölge was used for this early run, before the character solidified his identity as Kızılmaske in later Turkish comic book series (such as the successful 1970s run by Tay Yayınları), marks Haber Akşam Postası’s publication as a unique and foundational moment.

It was one of the earliest introductions of an iconic American costumed crimefighter to Turkish audiences, setting the stage for the character’s enduring decades-long popularity as Kızılmaske in Turkey.

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Additional information on Haber Akşam Postası newspaper can be found HERE.

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Thank you Bilge Kosebalaban for bring this newspaper appearance of the Phantom to our attention.