Frew Contests

Several contests have appeared in Frew Publications Phantom comics over the years, the first as early as 1952. Contests generally entailed the comic reader completing a task, and posting in a reply/answer, which normally involved cutting a coupon out of the comic and posting it in to Frew Publications.

Bicycle Contest

First appearing in Phantom comic number 46 (published in 1952), we see a contest whereby the reader has the opportunity to win a ‘Malvern Star Bike’, with 50 consolation prizes of a years subscription of Phantom comics.

To win the prize, the reader is required to come up with as many words as possible using the letters ‘THE PHANTOM’. A list of these words, plus the contest ‘Entry Form’ are to be returned to Frew Publications.

The contest appears again in Phantom comic number 47.

The competition winner is announced in Phantom comic number 49 as Neil Cowell from Camden, NSW. The names of the consolation prize winners are also listed.

Round-The-World-Trip Contest

First appearing in Frew Publications Phantom comic number 97 (published in 1956), we see a contest whereby the reader has the opportunity to win a ‘Round-The-World’ trip lasting 28 days.

To win the prize, the reader is required to guess ‘How Many Pygmies In This Picture?’. The amount of Pygmies guessed is to be written down on the ‘Answer Coupon’ and returned to Frew Publications.

The contest appears again in Phantom comic number 98 and number 99.

The competition winner is announced in Phantom comic number 100 as Errol E. Marshall from Mt. Gravatt, QLD.

TV Contest

First appearing in Frew Publications Phantom comic number 121 (published in 1957), we see a contest whereby the reader has the opportunity to win a ‘Admiral TV Set’, plus 10 second prize’s and 50 consolation ‘Additional Prizes’ available.

To win the prize, the reader is required to complete a ‘Phantom-Word Puzzle’. The Puzzle answers are to be written down on the competition coupon and returned to Frew Publications.

The contest appears again in Phantom comic number 122 and number 123.

The competition winner is announced in Phantom comic number 124 as Patricia MacDonald from Eastwood, NSW. The names of the consolation prize winners are also listed.

Pick-Your-Own-Prize Contest

First appearing in Frew Publications Phantom comic number 139 (published in 1958), we see a contest whereby the reader has the opportunity to win a prize of their choosing from a list of 12 items. 10 first place prizes are available (5 boys and 5 girls), plus 20 consolation prizes of ‘ONOTO Fountain Pens’ are available.

To win one of these prizes, the reader is required to color-in a picture printed in the comic. The colored picture is to be returned with a ‘Coupon’ to Frew Publications.

We initially see a teaser for this contest in Phantom comic number 138.

The contest appears in Phantom comic number 139 and number 140, (the below internal pages have been colored, they would of been void of color when purchased new).