The Australia-based publisher, Frew Publications, has released a specially marked Phantom comic book to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Phantom.

The special edition Phantom comic book is Issue No. 2025, published by Australia’s long-running Frew Publications. As seen on the front cover, this specific release is a commemorative milestone marking “The Phantom 90 Legendary Years Special”. This badge celebrates nine decades of the Phantom, first appearing in US newspapers since his creation in 1936.

The comic book comprises 116 pages, all presented on full color gloss pages with a heavy stock cover. Beginning the publication is an article entitled “The Ghost Keeps Walking – Ninety Years of The Phantom“, authored by Kevin Patrick, which spans from page four to page seven. The five comic strip stories published are:

• The Man From Mandalay Part 2: Steel Rhino – written by Duncan Munro and illustrated by Ken Steacy.
• The Epidemic – written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Sy Barry.
• The Dollmaker – written by Pidde Andersson and illustrated by Giancarlo Caracuzzo.
• Rex King – written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Sy Barry.
• Vietnam #13, War Pigs – written and illustrated by Paul Mason.

The front and back cover of Phantom comic book Issue No. 2025 can be seen below.

The striking front cover artwork is by Ben Bradi depicting a realistic, painted illustration of the Phantom standing resolutely in the jungle. Clad in his signature purple suit and skull-buckled belt, he holds a handgun ready in his right hand. The Phantom is flanked by two fierce, roaring tigers that amplify the wild and dangerous atmosphere of his environment. The top right showcases the special black, green, and purple logo celebrating “90 Legendary Years” of the Phantom.

The back cover of the comic showcases a dramatic shift in tone and setting. It advertises a featured comic story titled + PHANTOM ‘NAM IN “War Pigs”. The back cover is bathed in a vivid red and yellow color palette, displaying a gritty, tactical interpretation of the Phantom wielding firearms against a collage of Vietnam War imagery, including combat soldiers, military helmets, and a MACV military insignia stamp. This art is by Paul Mason, well-known for creating The Phantom: Vietnam series under Frew Publications, which transplants the hero from the deep woods of Bangalla to the historical conflicts of the 1960s.

The combination of a classic anniversary celebration and gritty, modern Australian-created stories makes Phantom comic book Issue No. 2025 a unique addition to Frew’s record-breaking run of continuous Phantom publishing. This edition was released on the 25th of June 2026, available for purchase in newsagents throughout Australia, or online from Frew Publications website (found HERE).

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