The Phantom unmasked : America's first superhero / Kevin Patrick.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Patrick, Kevin, 1968- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Phantom (Fictitious character).

Phantom.

Comic books, strips, etc--History and criticism.

Comic books, strips, etc.

Superheroes.

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Physical Description:

x, 258 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Iowa City : University of Iowa Press, [2017]

Summary:

Making its debut as an American newspaper comic strip in 1936, The Phantom was the forerunner of the comic-book superhero genre. However, despite its American origins, The Phantom comic strip has enjoyed far greater popularity with international audiences. The Phantom Unmasked examines the paradox of the character's relative obscurity in the United States, offset by his phenomenal success in three markedly different countries: Australia, Sweden, and India. By tracing the publication history of The Phantom, in magazines and comic books across international markets since the mid-1930s, author Kevin Patrick delves into the largely unexplored prehistory of modern media licensing industries. The Phantom Unmasked offers readers a nuanced study of the complex cultural flow of American comic books around the world Book jacket.

Contents:

Introduction: The forgotten superhero

The ghost who walks

The syndicated superhero

The Phantom abroad

The "Yank comics" invasion

Becoming "Fantomen"

One hero, many masks

Fans of the Phantom

Who owns the Phantom?

Conclusion: The eternal champion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781609385002

1609385004

OCLC:

972093390