The Fantomet’s Nærradio (which translates to The Phantom’s Local Radio) was released in Norway in 1984. The promotional audio cassette was produced by publisher Semic/Nordisk Forlag A/S in collaboration with Communicator A/S and recorded at Scanax Sound Studio, Oslo, Norway.
The production is designed as a fictional “local radio” (nærradio) broadcast, combining humor, comedy sketches, sound effects, and songs centered around Fantomet lore. Both Tom Mathisen and Herodes Falsk were legendary figures in Norwegian pop-culture comedy (notably from the iconic group Prima Vera), giving the tape a distinctly witty and satirical edge.
The producers and main performers of Fantomet’s Nærradio are Tom Mathisen (vocals, all instruments, production) and Erling Bonde (vocals, all instruments, production) with special guest Herodes Falsk. The production consultant was Bjørn Mikalsen and the sound engineers were Alf Christian Hvidsteen and Sverre E. Henriksen.
The Fantomet’s Nærradio cassette was advertised to readers of Fantomet comic books in Norway. An example can be seen below with an advertisement featured on the outside back cover of Fantomet edition number 16 published in 1985. The reader was required to mail a coupon to the publisher to purchase Fantomet’s Nærradio.
Arriving in the mail is a bundle set found within a shrink-wrapped blister pack attached to a color backing card. The Fantomet’s Nærradio audio cassette, plus a softcover Fantomet comic book are found in the set.
The backing card features a white background decorated with a repeating pattern of diagonal blue stripes, framed by a classic comic-style layout. Prominently centered along the top margin is the blue FANTOMET title logo, flanked on the left by an iconic line-art portrait of the Phantom’s masked face. To the top right of the cassette blister bubble sits a stylized commemorative emblem celebrating the 450th anniversary of the Phantom legend (1536–1986 FANTOMET 450 ÅR), adorned with a skull emblem and laurel wreath. Along the very bottom edge, the card displays official retail and publishing details, including the original price point (PRIS Kr. 44,-) and product code (bc-F 003 02).
The Fantomen comic book contains 52 black and white pages measuring 19cm x 17cm with Norwegian text. The Phantom comic strip adventure “Hevneren – Det første Fantomet” is featured, which translates to “The Avenger – The First Phantom”, written by Janne Lundström and illustrated by Jaime Vallvé, telling the story of the very first Phantom taking his oath on his father’s skull. The front and back covers can be seen below, with cover art by Rolf Gohs.
