Plavi Vjesnik Specijal Izdanje (which translates to Blue Herald Special Edition) is a comic series published by Vjesnik Publishing House in Zagreb, Yugoslavia in 1969. The series contains 4 editions, with between 3 to 4 comic characters featured in each edition.
Vjesnik was one of the most influential publishing and media organizations in Yugoslavia, headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia. Established in the 1940s, it initially served as a government-affiliated news agency and newspaper publisher (releasing the Politički vjesnik newspaper in 1940), playing a key role in shaping the media landscape of socialist Yugoslavia. Over time, Vjesnik expanded its operations to include magazines, books, and comics, making it one of the largest and most recognizable publishers in the region. Its most famous newspaper, Vjesnik, was a daily political publication that had a strong readership throughout Yugoslavia.
In addition to newspapers, Vjesnik became well known for publishing comic magazines and entertainment periodicals. One of its most famous publications was Plavi Vjesnik (1954–1973), which introduced American, European, and domestic Yugoslav comics to a broad audience. This magazine featured characters like the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Flash Gordon, alongside comics from Yugoslav artists such as Jules Radilović and Walter Neugebauer. Vjesnik also published Eks Almanah, Stripoteka, and other comic-related magazines, significantly shaping comic book culture in Yugoslavia.
By the 1990s, following the breakup of Yugoslavia and Croatia’s transition to a market economy, Vjesnik faced financial struggles. The once-dominant publisher saw a decline in circulation and influence as private media companies emerged. While its flagship newspaper continued for some time, Vjesnik eventually ceased operations in 2012, marking the end of an era for one of the most important media houses in the former Yugoslavia. However, its legacy remains strong, particularly in the comic book and publishing industry, where its contributions helped define generations of readers.
Plavi Vjesnik Specijal Izdanje editions were published with black and white internal pages, varying per edition in page number, measuring 23cm x 30cm. The front covers are void of an edition number, with a large ‘P’ located on the top left, with the last three editions in the series contain color on the front and back covers. All 4 editions can be seen below.
- Edition #1 – James Bond Goldfinger – 48 pages
- Edition #2 – Indian Wrestler – 56 pages
- Edition #3 – Mandrake/Fantom/Stari Mačak – 58 pages
- Edition #4 – Asterix Among Gladiators – 48 pages
Edition number three in the series showcases the Phantom, referred to by his local name, Fantom. Notably, he’s depicted in a green-colored costume on the front cover, a color that is rarely associated with the Phantom in Yugoslavia. The other two comic strip characters featured in this edition, Mandrake the Magician and Stari Mačak, are also prominently displayed on the vibrant front cover, which is illustrated by Zdenko Svirčić.
The Phantom comic strip story published within is ‘The Super-Jet Gang’, a story written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Sy Barry. The story is published across 16 pages within the comic book.
thephantom.fan 