The Colecção Heróis Inesquecíveis (which translates to Unforgettable Heroes Collection) comic book series was published by Edições Rodrigues Chaveiro, Lda. in Lisbon, Postugal from 1997 thru till 1998. Published in partnership with Agência Feriaque, the 16 comic book series was directed by Manuel Figueiredo Chaveiro and coordinated editorially by Jorge Magalhães, one of Portugal’s most renowned comic historians, critics, and editors. Magalhães used the title to revive traditional American adventure comic strips for nostalgic Portuguese readers before moving on to edit the famous second series of Selecções BD starting in late 1998.
Edições Rodrigues Chaveiro, Lda. was an independent Portuguese publishing company active primarily throughout the 1990s. Directed by Manuel Figueiredo Chaveiro alongside editor Joaquina Marques Rodrigues, the Lisbon-based house operated in close partnership with distribution agencies like Agência Feriaque. While a relatively modest publisher in scale compared to major contemporary Portuguese publishing houses, it carved out a distinct niche within the national banda desenhada (comic book) market by catering directly to collectors and fans of classic adventure stories.
The publisher’s core editorial mission centered around preserving and reprinting syndicated mid-20th-century American newspaper comic strips for a Portuguese audience. Beyond early 1990s licensed releases like action comics based on Rambo, Edições Rodrigues Chaveiro made its mark between 1997 and 1998 with the publication of the anthology series Colecção Heróis Inesquecíveis. To curate this flagship series, the publisher enlisted Jorge Magalhães, one of Portugal’s most esteemed comic historians and editors. Under his coordination, the company serialized legendary adventure sagas featuring iconic characters such as The Phantom, Flash Gordon, Johnny Hazard, Cisco Kid, and Mandrake the Magician.
Though short-lived, Edições Rodrigues Chaveiro played a notable role in preserving Portugal’s heritage of serialized adventure comics during a transitional period for the industry. By producing affordable, pocket-sized black-and-white softcover editions, the house provided a bridge for nostalgic readers between classic Portuguese comic magazines of the past (such as Mundo de Aventuras) and the high-profile comic revivals of the late 1990s.
The Phantom was published in edition numbers 1, 7 and 13, all printed with 32 black and white pages measuring 16.5cm x 24cm with Portuguese text. Each edition published a complete Phantom comic strip adventure which were all written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Sy Barry. The front covers of all three editions can be seen below.
All three covers feature a consistent yellow trade dress at the top, complete with a circular black-and-white portrait emblem of the Phantom, red stylized title lettering reading “HERÓIS INESQUECÍVEIS,” issue numbering (#1, #7, and #13), and a red banner indicating the biweekly release schedule (quinzenal) and price (230$00). Each issue highlights dynamic action scenes starring the Phantom (FANTASMA) set against distinct colored backdrops and featuring translated story titles.
Issue #1 depicts the hero in his iconic purple suit leaping downwards through a dark jungle backdrop above the title “Jogos Olímpicos na Selva” (“Jungle Olympic Games”); Issue #7 displays him single-handedly overpowering a trio of assailants wearing bandanas and striped pirate attire against a plain background for “Piratas do Século XX” (“20th Century Pirates”); and Issue #13 showcases him clad in a red variation of his suit as he delivers a powerful punch, knocking a man in green and tan clothing to the ground for the story “Os Tambores de Timpani” (“The Drums of Timpani”).
A sample of internal pages can be seen below.
