Stripoteka is a comic book series published by Marketprint in former Yugoslavia from 1969 thru till 1991. The series was relaunched by Novi Sad in Serbia in 1997 and are still being published up to this day. The comics were published on a monthly basis and included a mix of comic characters, including the Phantom. Edition number 1 can be seen below.
Marketprint was a significant publisher of comics and other illustrated media in former Yugoslavia, particularly known for its contributions to the “Golden Age” of Yugoslav comics and its resilience through turbulent times. Based in Novi Sad, the capital of Vojvodina, Marketprint emerged in the early 1960s as the entertainment department of the larger publishing house FORUM. Initially, their focus was on reissuing British and French comics, laying the groundwork for their future expansion.
The 1980s marked a golden era for Marketprint, as it, alongside Dečje Novine, became a driving force in Yugoslav comics. During this period, Marketprint distinguished itself by not only publishing a vast number of foreign comics but also by actively supporting domestic writers and artists. This commitment to local talent helped foster a thriving comic scene within Yugoslavia. They released numerous comic publications, books, serials, and magazines, solidifying their position as a leading publisher in the region.
Among Marketprint’s most enduring and recognizable publications was Stripoteka. Launched in 1969, Stripoteka became a cornerstone of Yugoslav comics, featuring a wide variety of international and domestic comic strips. It famously included characters like The Phantom, Flash Gordon, Mandrake the Magician, and Prince Valiant, alongside original Yugoslav creations. Stripoteka continued to be published even through the challenging 1990s and beyond, making it one of the longest-running comic magazines in the region.
However, the onset of the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s brought immense challenges for Marketprint, as it did for most industries in the former Yugoslavia. The economic crisis and sanctions severely impacted publishing houses, forcing many to cease operations or drastically reduce their output. While Marketprint was unable to fully realize its ambition of becoming one of the biggest comics publishers in the Balkans, Stripoteka remarkably survived these tumultuous years. Though the production of other publications significantly decreased, Stripoteka’s continued publication into the modern era stands as a testament to Marketprint’s legacy and its enduring appeal to comic enthusiasts.
Stripoteka comic books are presented in a color softcover format, encompassing approximately 68 black and white pages measuring of 21cm x 29cm. Each edition features a diverse array of comic strip characters.
The Phantom appeared under his local title of ‘Fantom’. He was published in 7 editions and appeared on the covers of 4 editions, number 342/343, 390/391, 402 and 413 all published in 1976. The front covers of these 4 editions can be seen below.
On the 3rd of December 2004, the milestone 1000th edition of Stripoteka was published, featuring the Phantom on the front cover amongst a mix of other characters. It’s noteworthy that a Phantom comic strip was not included in this edition.
In May 2019, the publication commemorated its 50th anniversary with edition number 1173, featuring the Phantom once more on the cover.
thephantom.fan 