RetroFan Magazine, published by the United States-based TwoMorrows Publishing, will contain an editorial feature on the Phantom and his creator, Lee Falk.

Published by Raleigh, North Carolina-based TwoMorrows Publishing, RetroFan is a bimonthly magazine that serves as a vibrant, full-color publication of 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s pop culture which was launched in 2018. The magazine contains a mix of topics and subject matter, ranging from vintage television and movies to toys and fads. Also included are editorial style features and columns from pop culture experts, covering topics such as Saturday morning cartoons, classic sitcoms, monster movies and celebrity interviews.

RetroFan Magazine edition number 42 due for release in January 2026, published with 84 full color pages.

Writer Will Murray explores the career of Lee Falk in an article titled ‘The Immortal Lee Falk‘, who created both Mandrake the Magician and the Phantom comic strips. Falk recounts how he created Mandrake while a 19-year-old college junior, originally drawing the character himself before King Features Syndicate purchased it and paired him with artist Phil Davis to develop the comic strip. The article highlights the transition from Mandrake’s stage-magic origins to the 1936 debut of the Phantom, which Falk initially envisioned as a wealthy New York playboy named Jimmy Wells. Falk eventually discarded the urban setting for the jungles of the South Seas, developing a deep mythos involving generations of the Phantom through his adventures and storytelling.

The text also delves into the visual evolution and international inconsistencies of the Phantom’s costume. Falk reveals that he originally imagined the hero’s tights as gray, but a colorist’s choice in the early Sunday strips led to the signature purple suit, while other international editions featured the character in red or brown. Despite being considered the first costumed hero, Falk viewed the character as a modern Tarzan or a Robin Hood type. The article also compares Falk’s two creations, noting that while Mandrake relied on illusions and specialized situations, the Phantom achieved greater global popularity due to his straightforward adventures and the relatable humanity shown in his comic strips.

The front cover of RetroFan Magazine edition number 42 can be seen below, alongside the contents page.

A sample of internal pages containing the Phantom and Lee Falk article can be seen below.

RetroFan Magazine edition number 42 is available in both physical and digital formats, found HERE on TwoMorrows Publishing website.

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