The Phantom first appeared in India in The Times Group / Bennett, Coleman and Company Ltd, 1950’s English-language weekly newsmagazine publication, The Illustrated Weekly of India. With the Phantoms success in this publication, the owners of The Times Group, the Jain family founded Indrajal Comics in 1964.
The Phantom comic series by Indrajal Comics was published in English and in its later years, in several Indian languages. 808 Phantom issues were published in the series from 1964 thru till 1990.
Indrajal Comics was highly active with vendor/product advertising, including brand names such as Amul Chocolates, Swad Digestive Drops, Motion Sweets, Campa Soda, Anchor School Supplies, Peppy Crispies, Super Bubble Gum, Nutrine and more.
Additionally, Indrajal Comics published more then just comic strips within it’s comic books, also providing its readers with added pages of children’s activities, brain teasers, puzzles and more. Indrajal Comics even offered its readers the opportunity to partake in contests and on some occasions, offered free Phantom related collectibles, especially to its subscribers of the Indrajal Comic Club.
Following we see some of these extras published in Phantom comics by Indrajal Comics.
1980 – Luna Camera For Sale
Luna camera available for purchase, with advertisements found in Phantom comic editions number 342, 343, 347, 351, 353, 355, 356, 357, 359, and 363.
1981 – Indrajal Comics Club ‘Smily’ & ‘Luna’ Camera Free Give-Away
Phantom comic number 386 announces the opportunity for subscribers to win a ‘free’ camera if they were to sign up 10 new subscribers, with advertisements found in Phantom comic editions number 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, and 395.
1981 – Indrajal Comics Club Tattoo/Transfer Sheet
With no date or copyright insignia, there is still debate whether the Indrajal Tattoo/Transfer Sheet of 10 comic strip characters was produced and distributed by Indrajal Comics, or whether it was produced by an unknown entity on a smaller commercial scale.
Character Names Left to Right: The Phantom, Mandrake, Flash Gordon, Badur, Mike Nomad, Buz Sawyer, Garth, Kerry Drake, Rip Kirby, Lothar.
Indian Phantom collectors believed they were produced and distributed by Indrajal Comics in the 1970’s to promote their different comic book series, however research tells us that these Tattoo/Transfer Sheet images could not have been illustrated prior to 1981.
Several advertisements appearing in Phantom comics between 1981 and 1983 which resemble the images found on the sheet, leading us to believe that the sheet was produced within this timeframe, and not in the 1970’s.
1981 – Indrajal Comics Club Subscribers 50,000 Free Gift Offers
In 1981, Indrajal Comics published 6 comic issues which advertised that 50,000 free gifts were available to subscribers. There were a total of 3 comic advertisement variations with 5 different prizes to be awarded.
Subscriber Offers:
- Synopsis of the first 100 stories from Indrajal Comics.
- Indrajal Comics T-shirt or Wallet + Synopsis of the first 100 stories from Indrajal Comics.
- Indrajal Comics Torch/Flashlight.
- Smily Cameras.
- Luna Cameras.
Indrajal Comics issue number 370 published in 1981 was the very 1st advertisement announcing that 50,000 free gifts were available to subscribers. This same 1 page advertisement also appears in issue number 379, 380 and 382.
Indrajal Comics issue number 376 published in 1981 was the 2nd advertisement announcing that 50,000 free gifts were available to subscribers.
Indrajal Comics issue number 377 published in 1981 was the 3rd advertisement announcing that 50,000 free gifts were available to subscribers. This same 1 page advertisement also appears in issue number 379 and 380.
An example of the ‘Synopsis of the first 100 stories from Indrajal Comics’ publication can be seen below. Two separate editions were produced, serial Nos. 101 to 200 (seen on the left) and serial Nos. 201 to 300 (seen on the right).
1982-1983 Indrajal Comics Club Special Subscription Wall Calendar
Indrajal Comics issue number 439 published in 1982 was the 1st advertisement announcing the ‘free’ subscriber Wall Calendar.
Indrajal Comics issue volume 20, number 13 published in 1983 was the 2nd advertisement announcing the ‘free’ subscriber Wall Calendar.
A copy of the Wall Calendar can be seen below.
1983 – Indrajal Comics Club Issue Highlight Announcements
In 1983, Indrajal Comics released 33 comic issues which advertised upcoming highlights with 2 comic advertisement variations.
Indrajal Comics issue volume 20, number 28, published in 1983 was the 1st advertisement announcing the ‘free’ subscriber Wall Calendar.
Indrajal Comics issue volume 20, number 31, published in 1983 was the 2nd advertisement announcing the ‘free’ subscriber Wall Calendar. This same 2 page advertisement also appeared in issue volume 20, number 32.
1988 – Indrajal Comics Club Special Subscription Offer
Indrajal Comics issue volume 25, number 36 published in 1988, was the only issue to offer returning subscribers 12 comics in the one volume.
1989 – Candy Cigarettes
Indrajal Comics issue volume 26, number 33 published in 1989, was the only advertisement for the Phantom ‘Harnik’ Candy Cigarettes.
1989 – Indrajal Comics Tinker Toy Subscription Offer
Indrajal Comics issue volume 26, number 39 published in 1989 advertised a ‘free’ Tinker Toy gift when taking up an 18 month subscription.
Thank you Christopher Smith for assisting with images and information.
The Phantom 