Mustanaamio Kesäalbumi 1986 (which translates to The Phantom Summer Album 1986) is a comic book published by Kustannus Oy Semic in Finland in 1986. The album style comic book was released as a special collators edition, as in Phantom lore, the legacy of the Phantom began 450 years prior to this era (originating in 1536), making 1986 a major commemorative milestone for the character’s lineage.
Mustanaamio Kesäalbumi 1986 is published with a soft cover containing 36 color pages measuring 19cm x 36cm. The front cover contains an illustration by Rolf Gohs, with the main title “MUSTANAAMIO” seen at the top and smaller wording of “Kesä-albumi 1986” (Summer Album 1986) also seen. Two Phantom comic strip stories are published within, both written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Sy Barry, titled “Alexander’s Diamond Cup” and “The Tale of the Gooley-Gooley Witch”.
In the bottom-right corner, there is a round yellow and green emblem featuring the Phantom’s face and the text “JUHLAVUOSI 450” (Anniversary Year 450). This marks the 450th anniversary milestone of the Phantom legacy, which in lore began in 1536. The release of the publication also celebrate the Phantoms 50th anniversary, originally released in USA newspapers in 1936.
The back cover of Mustanaamio Kesäalbumi 1986 functions as a full-page promotional ad for the regular Mustanaamio comic book series. The Phantom is mounted atop his iconic white stallion, Hero (known as Hero or Sankaritar/Sankari in Finnish comics). Hero is rearing up dramatically on his hind legs while Devil is by their side, an illustration by Rolf Gohs.
Text at the base of this image on the back cover, translates from Finnish to English reads:
MUSTANAAMIO bursts out for your enjoyment every two weeks as a comic book, too. Snappy adventures, fun competitions, a lively reader club – lots of high-quality reading. The Phantom legend began 450 years ago, and this event is celebrated in many ways this year along with Mustanaamio! Come along and enjoy the Mustanaamio comic book!
Mustanaamio Kesäalbumi 1986 was promoted exclusively by the publisher Kustannus Oy Semic, with the album distributed through newsagents and bookshops. Advertisements were placed throughout their regular Mustanaamio comic book series. One such example is edition number 15, published in 1986, which featured a full-page advertisement on the external back cover.
