The Museum of Cartoon Art located in Rye Brook, Westchester County, New York, USA held a special exhibition from the 27th of July thru till the 26th of October, 1986. The exhibition focused on the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician and Flash Gordon.
Designed to coincide with the release of Defenders of the Earth, the exhibition was held to showcase the history of the main characters in the cartoon series.
The exhibition included close to 75 original illustrations of the 3 comic book characters dating back to the mid-1930s, sourced from various collectors through the USA. Also on display were memorabilia, toys and comic books. The black and white serials of the characters were also played at the exhibition, together with the newly released Defenders of the Earth cartoon. Art from the new cartoon were also on display.
Sponsored by King Features Syndicate, Fantasy Day was held on Sunday the 21st of September, 1986 at the Museum of Cartoon Art from 1pm till 5pm.
Various activities were held on the day, including presentations and talks from illustrators and writers, gifts and prizes were given away, plus contests and other activities such as artist sketches and photos with the characters were held on the museums grounds.
The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician creator Lee Falk was in attendance, and so was artist Fred Fredericks, as can be seen below.
Alex Saviuk who worked on Defenders of the Earth was also at Fantasy Day, and so was Flash Gordon artist Al Williamson.
There were also appearances of several characters in costume, including the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, Flash Gordon and Ming the Merciless. Mandrake the Magician and Ming the Merciless can be seen below entertaining children on the gardens of the museum.
The Phantom 