The first superhero - the Phantom!!!8439
 -Our Odin-Rest in Peace |
Jesse_O private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Yesterday was the Phantom's 83rd birthday. He is the FIRST costumed superhero. I found this video that was made three years ago and thought I'd share it. The Phantom is quite possibly the most popular comic book hero world wide!! There are many comics published internationally that are not "canon". There is a lot to admire about the character and I wish he got more respect in America. |
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 I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Agreed wholeheartedly!! Under appreciated I believe. This is the earliest Phantom I own.  |
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 Collector
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michaelekrupp private msg quote post Address this user | |
LOVE the Phantom! Definitely a very underrated character and concept. |
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 PEDIGREED... Again!
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martymann private msg quote post Address this user | |
Reprint of early PHANTOM Sunday strips from KING COMICS #127. OO mm |
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 I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
| This is my topic right here. I have all the gold key Phantom books, a lot of early 40s and 50s stuff from Frew. I have the Billy Zane original movie poster from the theatrical release since I was a kid. I LOVE THE PHANTOM! I have a Phantom skull tattoo on my right elbow in full color. I also have a "Good mark" tattoo on my left forearm. SLAM EVIL!   |
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I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
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PEDIGREED... Again!
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martymann private msg quote post Address this user | |
From DC in 1989. CC mm |
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 I live in RI and Rhode Islanders eat chili with beans.
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esaravo private msg quote post Address this user | |
A couple of Charlton Phantoms:  |
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I live in RI and Rhode Islanders eat chili with beans.
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esaravo private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @AndyRexia - Awesome Punisher #1 swipe, Rob! | ||
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PEDIGREED... Again!
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martymann private msg quote post Address this user | |
 (From KING FEATURES 1994 promotional kit) mm |
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I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
| The ghost who walks. | ||
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 Collector
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Enelson private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by martymann I love these classic characters, I'm a huge fan of The Shadow...I also love the Sh*t they got away with back in the day... I don't think we're seeing anything else named "Mooli-o-Mooli" any time soon...  |
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 COLLECTOR
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dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I always found this interesting how the Phantom appeared on a lot of Tribal shields in New Guinea | ||
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PEDIGREED... Again!
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martymann private msg quote post Address this user | |
 (HARVEY COMICS HIT #51) |
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I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
Heres my actual book |
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I live in RI and Rhode Islanders eat chili with beans.
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esaravo private msg quote post Address this user | |
My oldest Phantom comic (1967) has a female Phantom on its cover. |
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I live in RI and Rhode Islanders eat chili with beans.
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esaravo private msg quote post Address this user | |
My newest Phantom comic. |
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Collector
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michaelekrupp private msg quote post Address this user | |
| The 1989 DC series was great! There was also a 4 issue limited series from DC that preceded it, which also rocks. | ||
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 Collector
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poka private msg quote post Address this user | |
| It was the first superhero comic I read when I was a kid | ||
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I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
  Here's Gold Key issue #2. I love how they would have a virgin pinup oil painted cover for the back |
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I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
  Gold Key issue #3 |
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 Ima gonna steal this and look for some occasion to use it!
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IronMan private msg quote post Address this user | |
| We've done this on FB and I'm tempted to not start over.... Most comic historians view Mandrake the Magician and his partner Lothar as the first costumed super heroes. Like the Phantom, Mandrake was created by Lee Falk. And appeared 20 months earlier. One could also argue the "super powers" angle. Mandrake and Lothar both had "super powers". Mandrake his mentalist abilities, Lothar was essentially a black Superman - years before Superman. Who was first can be a long, interesting and perhaps for some tiring debate. The Phantom did appear in comic books (Ace Comics 11) before Mandrake. Both were originally comic strips. But both comic book and comic strip superheroes were clearly influenced by the pulp magazine characters from years earlier. Perhaps the first ought to be Zorro. A 1919 novel, a 1920 film. Wears a mask, has a cape. A decade or more before Doc Savage, the Shadow, Mandrake and the Phantom. I love the Phantom. When I finally aquired a copy of Ace Comics 11 after decades of searching it was a true grail moment for me. Sometimes I feel rather alone collecting The Phantom. But in order to consider the Phantom "the first" a few caveats have to be applied. Masked. In a comic book. There are reasons Action Comics 1 is THE BOOK as far as Super Heroes go. It's not reprints of comic strips, it's all new, all original, appearing first in a comic book. Superman is unmistakably "super powered". And an interesting note.....Superman doesn't wear a mask.  |
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PEDIGREED... Again!
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martymann private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I remember reading awhile back that POPEYE might be considered the comic strips "First Superhero"...being transformed by eating a can of Spinach.  mm |
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Collector
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michaelekrupp private msg quote post Address this user | |
| This is a debate that could continue until the end of time! Perhaps the biblical Joshua, who received power from God to destroy the walls of Jericho and slaughter countless heathens could be considered a superhero? | ||
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I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I consider The Phantom as the first comic book super hero. Fight me. | ||
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Collector
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michaelekrupp private msg quote post Address this user | |
| You’re preaching to the choir, bro. | ||
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I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
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GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
| clickable text Gilgamesh |
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Collector
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michaelekrupp private msg quote post Address this user | |
Excellent choice. Truth is, there have been superheroes as long as there have been people telling stories. I do agree that as far as comic book/ comic strips go, the Phantom is the first character that checks all the boxes. Plus, I don’t want @kaptainmyke to beat me up! |
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-Our Odin- Rest in Peace |
Jesse_O private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I think I figured out WHY many of us consider the Phantom as the first modern day comic book superhero. Here's the definition of a modern day comic book superhero that I think most would agree with. 1) Superhuman abilities, or at least highly augmented abilities or tools. By tools I mean things like Batman's gadgets all the way to Ironman's suits. Extremely high intelligence or knowledge can sometimes be classified as "superhuman" because it is out of the ordinary, it is a superior or "super" ability. Paranormal and mutant abilities can also fall under this category. 2) A sense of justice. To be a hero, one must have a core belief in justice. It can be warped a bit, like Punisher, but it is there. 3) A unique costume. This was especially important in the early days of comics. It's importance has waned over the years, but when you see Wolverine in his X-men uniform, there is no doubt he is a hero. The costume can have a mask, cape, gloves, etc., but it doesn't have to have all of the same elements. It must be unique looking and be recognizable in a battle. 4) His or her feats must have been published in comic book form. For simplicity, I am accepting reprints of newspaper strips published in a comic book form for this definition. It does not need to be original material. Based on this, an argument can be made that the Phantom was the first modern comic book superhero. Mandrake was dressed as a magician and Lothar as an African prince. The Lone Ranger was dressed as a bandit. Popeye was dressed in a sailor's uniform. The Phantom has a PURPLE skintight outfit!!! I'm not saying that this is indisputable. But to figure out who the first modern day comic book superhero is, then "modern day comic book superhero" needs a definition. Your definition may differ than mine. And this will probably stir up more debate, but let's not fight about it!!! LOL!! |
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