Velos

The Βέλος or Velos (which translates to Arrow) is a comic book series published by Terzopoulos Publications (Evangelos Terzopoulos) in Greece commencing on the 2nd of July 1968 thu till the 14th of April 1970. A total of 90 editions are found in the series, containing a mix of comic strip characters including Flash Gordon, Mandrake the Magician, Tintin, Rip Kirby, Popeye and more. The Phantom was also published in the series.

Evangelos Terzopoulos was a pioneering figure in the Greek publishing industry, best known for transforming the country’s comic book landscape in the mid-20th century. In 1966, he founded the publishing house that would become synonymous with Walt Disney in Greece, launching the iconic weekly magazine Miky Maous (Mickey Mouse). Under his leadership, the company established a dominant presence by securing exclusive rights to Disney characters, eventually expanding into various legendary titles such as Klassika Disney, Donald, and Komix. His work didn’t just provide entertainment; it made the phrase “Miky Maous” a ubiquitous Greek slang term for all comic books, reflecting the profound cultural impact of his catalog.

Beyond the world of Disney, Terzopoulos was instrumental in diversifying the Greek market by introducing high-quality adventure and action anthologies. Publications like Velos served as a critical gateway for Greek readers to access major international strips, including The Phantom, Flash Gordon, and Mandrake the Magician. By blending American syndicate classics with European adventure stories, he provided a more sophisticated alternative to the purely humorous or local titles available at the time. His editorial vision prioritized high production standards and a curated selection of global talent, which helped professionalize the Greek comic industry during its Golden Age.

The Terzopoulos publishing legacy eventually became a multi-generational family endeavor, with his son Christos Terzopoulos taking a prominent role in the company’s modernization and continued success through the late 20th century. Although the original publishing house, Nea Aktina, eventually faced challenges during the Greek financial crisis of the 2010s, the foundation laid by Evangelos remains legendary among collectors. Today, he is remembered as the man who not only brought the world’s most famous mouse to Greece but also fostered a deep, enduring appreciation for the “Ninth Art” across several generations of Greek readers.

Velos comic books underwent several format changes during its 90-issue lifespan to adapt to the market:

  • Frequency: It began as a weekly publication, though it transitioned to a fortnightly (every two weeks) schedule toward the end of its run.
  • Physical Size:
    • Edition 1–57: Published in a larger “standard” format of 19cm x 25cm.
    • Edition 58–90: Switched to a smaller “pocket” format of 12cm x 19cm.
  • Page Count: The magazine grew significantly in thickness over time. It started with 36 pages and gradually increased through 44, 52, and 68 pages, eventually reaching 100 pages per issue in its final stages.

In the Velos comic book series, the Phantom was published under the local title of ‘O Fantomas’. The comic strips featuring the Phantom were one of the most consistent and popular features, appearing in approximately 19 editions throughout the magazine’s 90-issue run. Because Velos was an anthology, the Phantom’s adventures were typically serialized alongside other heroes like Flash Gordon and Mandrake the Magician.

The Phantom stories published in Velos were primarily translations of the American newspaper strips written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Wilson McCoy and Sy Barry. These were often serialized over several consecutive issues.

In the early larger issues (1–57), the Phantom’s art was often given more space, preserving the detail of Sy Barry’s line work. When the magazine switched to the 100-page pocket format (58–90), the stories became thicker, often featuring longer segments or multiple parts of a story in a single issue to satisfy the increased page count.

The publication of these Lee Falk stories in Velos is considered a definitive era for the character in Greece, as it established the modern Sy Barry look of the Phantom for a generation of Greek fans before the character moved to other dedicated titles like Fantom by Kabanas-Hellas.

The Phantom appeared on 16 front covers, first appearing on edition number 48, with the last edition in the series featuring the Phantom, all of which can be seen below.

All full-color front covers feature the series title ‘Βέλος’ along with the edition number located in the header section. The publisher’s logo, ‘Terzopoulos Publications’ is prominently displayed in the top left-hand corner, with all text printed in Greek. The Phantom is primarily depicted in a red costume, as he is known in Greece.