The German “Bastei” Comic series 1974–1983 published hundreds of Phantom comic books made up of an assortment of reprints from Phantom Sunday and Daily newspaper stories, as well as Swedish, Italian and US Phantom comics.
Although “Bastei” publishers did not have a license for an official “Phantom Fan Club” they still, however, creatively stimulated “the Phantom reader group” with a few very interesting “Free” items, found in very select issues, beginning with issue #64/1976.
Unlicensed, such paraphernalia was still titled “Phantom Club” and the “Phantom Pass”. This clever branding gave the Phantom collector/reader something they could feel a part of.
The “Phantom Club” was basically created to have no financial implication to its readers but to simply act as, a “Self-Membership” to the “Club” of virtuous action. It was also intended and suggested by the editor for fellow Phantom friends to gather together and to do good deeds, as The Phantom would.
The editorial team regularly received a large number of letters from readers who were looking for contact information of other Phantom enthusiasts, to start “new” Phantom Clubs or to discuss their similar interests; such contact information was occasionally published.
The following are “Bastei” related items that constitutes a “complete set” of “Phantom Club” merchandise.
Club Mail-Away Coupon – 1976-1981
Select “Bastei” issues published a two page instructional sheet detailing the “Clubs” agenda on (Page 1) with additional information on (Page 2) how to enter to win one of 20 Good Mark Phantom Rings and Amulets.
Regular Bastei Series (238 issues in all): #64/1976, #187/1981 #188/1981.
The Superband Series (49 issues in all): #47/1981 – which bound 2 comics #188 & #192.
Pass Instruction Sheet – 1976-1981
Select “Bastei” issues published an interior instructional sheet as how to “cut-n-fold” the “Phantom Pass” membership card.
Regular Bastei Series: #64/1976, #86/1977, #89/1977, #96/1978, #100/1978, #166/1980, #167/1980, #188/1981, #213/1982, #226/1983, #237/1983, #238/1983.
The Superband Series: # Un-numbered Issue/1978 – which bound #96 & #99.
The Superband Series: #47/1981 – which bound 2 comics #188 & #192.
The Superband Series: #1055/1981 – which bound 2 comics #212 & #213.
Pass Membership Card – 1976-1983
Select “Bastei” issues published a “Back Cover” with a “four-panel” yellow template; more commonly referred as, the “Phantom Pass”. Essentially the Phantom comic book collector would cut-n-fold this “Membership Card” page to form a quite unique collectible. This “Phantom Pass” was basically a “Self-Membership” to the “Club”; held as a personal ‘keepsake’ or memento.
The English translation for the first panel:
“Phantom Pass” membership card; 1) To be fair to everyone at all times. 2) Avoid violence. 3) Assist weaker ones as much as possible. 4) To obey the commandments of humanity.
The second panel of the “Phantom Pass” an image of the Phantom and a “blank field” to enter your own designated “Phantom Pass” number. The third panel was to enter your own information as you would an ID card, while the fourth panel was allotted for a self-portrait photo.
Regular Bastei Series: #64/1976, #86/1977, #89/1977, #96/1978, #99/1978, #100/1978, #166/1980, #167/1980, #187/1981 #188/1981, #203/1982, #213/1982, #226/1983, #237/1983, #238/1983.
The Superband Series: #47/1981 – which bound 2 comics #188 & #192.
The Superband Series: #1055/1981 – which bound 2 comics #212 & #213.
Club Mini Poster – 1978
Very select “Bastei” issues inserted an 11” x 8” mini “Phantom Club” Poster. Titled “Phantom Club Eintritt nur fur Mitglieder”, translating to “Phantom Club Admission for Members Only”.
Regular Bastei Series: #96/1978.
The Superband Series: # Un-numbered Issue/1978 – which bound #96 & #99.
Pass Mini Poster – 1978
Very select “Bastei” issues inserted an 11” x 8” mini “Phantom Pass” Poster, titled “Die Gebote Phantoms”.
English translation:
“The Phantom’s Message”: 1) To be fair to everyone at all times. 2) Avoid violence. 3) Assist weaker ones as much as possible. 4) To obey the commandments of humanity.
Regular Bastei Series: #99/1978.
The Superband Series: # Un-numbered Issue/1978 – which bound #96 & #99.
Club Sticker Set – 1979
Very select ‘Bastei’ issues enclosed a ‘free’ special offer, Phantom Club 4” x 6” sticker’s into their comics. The entire sticker set consisted of 4 different images as can be seen above.
The first sticker released was titled (Phantom Club ‘Eintritt nur fur Mitglieder’) English translation: “Phantom Club Admission for Members Only”. This sticker; the most elusive of them all, was Red, Black and White with an image of The Phantom with arms crossed. Some German collectors state that issue #120/1979 was the first issue that housed this sticker while others say issue #126/1979. However, what is agreed upon is that these very scarce stickers were never inserted into particular issues, but only very randomly inserted into an occasional Phantom comic.
Three more multi colored stickers would follow; Phantom on Hero, Arms Crossed pose in Purple and the Phantom on throne. Finding a complete set of (4) unused stickers today is very difficult and quite expensive.
Good Mark Ring Contest – 1981-1982
Very select “Bastei” issues comic covers displayed a contest offer for 20 valuable Phantom Rings and Amulets.
Several comic covers displayed this same “offer” English translation: Play for a profit today 20 valuable Phantom Rings and Amulets for you.
Regular Bastei Series: #185/1981, #188/1981, #197/1982.
The Superband Series: #47/1981 – which bound 2 comics #188 & #192.
The Phantom Spezial Series (49 issues in all): #37/1981, #40/1981.
Club Advertisement – 1981-1982
Very Select “Bastei issues comic covers had the “Phantom Club” advertisement n cover.
Regular Bastei Series: #187/1981.
The Phantom Spezial Series: #39/1981.
For obvious reasons, specific “Bastei’ comic book issues that contained such items are among the most desirable with German Phantom collectors. The above list may have issue #’s repeated due to the fact that certain issues contained more than one item. Finding such issues in today’s market that are not only intact, but complete, is both very difficult and expensive.
Thank you Christopher Smith for assisting with images and information.
The Phantom 