A new Phantom comic book by US-based Hermes Press is starting to appear for preorder online focusing on the work of illustrator Sy Barry.

Sy Barry’s tenure on The Phantom is widely regarded as the “modern era” of the character, beginning in 1961 and spanning over three decades until his retirement in 1994. Taking over from Wilson McCoy, Barry introduced a sleek, realistic, and anatomically precise art style that redefined the Ghost Who Walks for a global audience. During his 33-year run, he illustrated or oversaw roughly 100 daily and Sunday stories, often collaborating with writers like Lee Falk to modernize the series with cinematic pacing and contemporary themes. His influence was so profound that his version of the Phantom became the definitive visual template for international publishers, particularly in Scandinavia and Australia, where the Phantom continues to be published regularly.

Titled ‘The Phantom: The Best of the Sy Barry Years 1961-1994‘, the hardcover deluxe book will contain a total of twelve Phantom comic strip stories illustrated by Sy Barry, consisting of nine daily and three Sunday stories. The stories to be published are:

• Adventures of Lucy Cary (Daily Story) – 29 Jun 1964 – 12 Dec 1964
• The Cavelands (Daily Story) – 30 Dec 1974 – 19 Apr 1975
• Guardian of the Eastern Dark (Daily Story) – 4 Apr 1977 – 13 Aug 1977
• Tyrant of Tarakimo (Daily Story) – 15 Aug 1977 – 29 Oct 1977
• Phantom Wedding (Daily Story) – 31 Oct 1977 – 4 Feb 1978
• Jungle City (Daily Story) – 18 Sep 1978 – 18 Dec 1978
• The Heirs (Daily Story) – 18 Dec 1978 – 19 May 1979
• Gooro’s Jungle Muggers (Daily Story) – 3 Nov 1980 – 4 Apr 1981
• Tale of Rex (Daily Story) – 18 Jan 1982 – 11 Sep 1982
• Founding of the Jungle Patrol (Sunday Story) – 5 Jul 1964 – 24 Jan 1965
• The Name (Sunday Story) – 9 Sep 1979 – 1 Jun 1980
• The Third Phantom (Sunday Story) – 26 Aug 1984 – 17 Feb 1985

Also included will be a lengthy interview with Sy Barry, a biographical essay and other material such as original comic art spanning Sy Barry’s career. The book will be limited to 1000 copies worldwide. The front cover for The Phantom: The Best of the Sy Barry Years 1961-1994 can be seen below, featuring an illustration by Sy Barry. The Phantom is seen with Diana, Hero and Devil in the Deep Woods with the Skull Cave in the background.

The Phantom: The Best of the Sy Barry Years 1961-1994 is due for release on the 27th of May 2026 and is expected to be available for pre-order on the Hermes Press website in the near future, found HERE.

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