Editoriale Mercury

The Phantom L’Ombra Che Cammina (which translates to The Phantom The Ghost Who Walks) is a book published by Editoriale Mercury in Italy in October 2003. The book is not a collection of comic strips but rather a comprehensive, scholarly work entirely dedicated to the history and mythology of the Phantom, particularly in Italy. It’s part of the Le Grandi Opere book series, edition number seven in the series, written by Alessandro Tesauro with an introduction written by Sergio Bonelli.

Editoriale Mercury is a niche Italian publishing house, primarily known for its work in the comic book and graphic novel industry. Unlike larger, more general-purpose publishers, it focuses on reissuing and preserving vintage and classic Italian and international comics, often in high-quality, deluxe editions. This specialization makes it a significant player for collectors and enthusiasts who are looking for rare or out-of-print series and characters that are important to Italian comic history.

The company’s output often consists of anastatic editions, which are exact reproductions of original, sometimes very old, comic albums and series. They frequently publish works featuring iconic characters like Tex, Zagor and the Phantom, catering to a dedicated fan base. Editoriale Mercury is particularly recognized for its “Le Grandi Opere” (The Great Works) series, which are large-format, hardcover books that provide a scholarly and well-researched look at the history of a specific character or comic.

The Phantom L’Ombra Che Cammina is a hardcover volume featuring a comprehensive wraparound dust jacket, comprising 228 pages of full-color illustrations, each measuring 22cm x 30cm, and presented in the Italian language. The front and back cover of the book can be seen below, with the illustration found on the front of the dust jacket completed by Germano Ferri.

Upon the removal of the wraparound dust jacket, an alternate cover design is unveiled on both the front and back, showcasing illustrations created by the esteemed Italian artist, Mario Caria.

The Phantom L’Ombra Che Cammina is broken down into various chapters, with both informative text and high quality images featured:

  • Introduction:
    • The Phantom, a contradictory hero of modernity.
  • Part One:
    • The history of the Phantom.
    • Lee Falk.
    • The artists of the Phantom.
    • Falk and Moore’s heirs around the world.
  • Part Two:
    • The Phantom in Italy.
    • The golden age.
    • Publishers of the 1950s.
    • The second golden age.
    • The final period.
    • The Phantom on the screen.
    • The Phantom in the library.
  • Part Three:
    • US chronologies.
    • All the Italian series.
    • The Phantom in the rest of the world.
  • Part Four:
    • The Phantom on the cover.
    • Essential bibliography.

The book is an important resource for Italian fans and scholars of the Phantom, as it provides a deep dive into the Phantoms publication history and impact specifically within Italy, where he’s been very popular for many decades. It explores how the Phantom has been presented and published by different Italian houses and its broader cultural impact.