iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

No 2031 The parts contained in this issue continue the stories that ran in the previous one. Of note is the editorial by Dudley Hogarth, revealing that he is leaving Frew (but not of his own volition).

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

No 2030 This issue is all new and all Frew, with stories written by Pidde Andersson and Shane Foley.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I swear I wrote this before I read part 2, in which "oh hi Maude" actually features as dialogue. 🤣

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

No 2029 Here you’ll find the typical Team Fantomen and Frew Crew pairing. One is semi new and the other is new-new.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

No 2028 — Secret of the Satellite A falling satellite reveals the location of the Skull Cave to an opportunistic dude who sees dollar signs. I didn’t think it was possible for a decent “Treasure Room heist” story to exist. And yet…here it is! Straight out of the 1980s. 3.5/5

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

No 2027 — Replica Series No 46 The four issues reprinted here are No 57, 56, 55 and 54. All are from 1953 and all have been reviewed by me previously. I’ve used “The Girls” instead of “The Lady Luck” to maintain consistency with my other reviews.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

No 2026 A typical pairing can be found in this issue — a new-ish Team Fantomen story and a shorter Frew original.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

No 2025 — 90 Legendary Years Special It has been 90 years since Lee Falk’s Phantom strip debuted and so Frew has naturally published a 90th anniversary special. Full colour, which is always a delight.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

No 2024 This issue contains a Fratelli Spada story from the 1960s and the next part of Julie Ditrich’s Simulacra serial.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

No 2023 — The Dictator Lamanda Luaga is gifted corn cakes and flies into a rage every time he eats one. He even orders the Phantom to face a firing squad! This felt very repetitive. I just wanted it to be over. We also didn’t see any real consequences on Lamanda’s actions! 2/5

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

No 2022 A Team Fantomen story from 2021 takes pole position while a Frewniverse part rounds out the issue.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

No 2021 The stories paired in this issue are from Team Fantomen and Frew (the latter is another part of Simulacra).

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

No 2020 Here we have a Fratelli Spada remake of a Lee Falk classic and the first part of a Frewniverse serial by Julie Ditrich.

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Reposted by Phantom Phan

THE PHANTOM @thephantom.fan · 29/06/2026

💥 Frew Publications Celebrate 90 Years of The Phantom with Special Comic Release. Cover art by Ben Bradi. 🫟 More information here 👉 thephantom.fan/2026/06/29/f... #thephantom #phantomcomic #leefalk #comic #art #frew #special

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

No 2019 Both stories in this issue are new, from the pen of Shane Foley, and from the “Frewniverse”, which is a term that I’ll adopt in future — “Frew original” doesn’t sound quite as exciting.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

No 2018 Another issue, another 1980s Team Fantomen story, another part of Hunters’ Prey. Let’s do this! Frew is using “Bangalla” here… but I know that it would be “Bengali” in the original script. I’m torn about what to do in this situation.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I think you can all guess what arrived today.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

No 2017 Here is a typical pairing — a Team Fantomen story (from the 1980s) and part of a Frew original. If it works, it works. And it does.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

No 2016 We have two stories in this issue, neither of which have been published here before (one is a Frew original). The Team Fantomen story is printed to commemorate artist Heiner Bade. As is my usual custom, I’ll use its original title.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Oooh I'm not sure how I feel about Frew using "Bangalla" in translations of Team Fantomen stories where "Bengali" would've been used...

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

No 2015 — Replica Series No 45 Four issues from 1953 are included here for our reading pleasure. They are Nos 61, 60, 59 and 58. I have reviewed all of them in some shape or form in the past.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

No 2014 — The Phantom and Mandrake (2026 Annual Special) A special featuring crossover stories from both Phantom and Mandrake franchises. My dislike of Mandrake the Magician is well documented, but I’ll survive. Somehow.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

My Supanova haul... I could have bought so many from the various comic stalls, but chose issues based on the covers. I love that dynamic style from Tommy Hughes.

Photo shows a handful of Frew Phantom comics from the 600s and 700s. All bagged and boarded.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

No 2013 This full-colour issue includes an older Falk story, as well as a modern sequel by Dr Paul Mason.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

No 2012 — 2025 Christmas Special As we’ve all come to expect from a Christmas special, this full-colour issue contains the new-ish Sunday and daily stories from the US. I say “new-ish”, because they finished in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Apologies for the radio silence. Publishing the book burnt me out a little! I'm currently working my way through my stack of comics (I'm at No 2013) and I'll start posting reviews soon.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

I will be attending Sydney Supanova in June, for anyone who wants to order a signed copy of my review book for $25. www.alycecaswell.com/adventures-w...

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

This is what the paperback looks like btw

Photo shows the author holding up a paperback copy of Adventures with the Purple Guy: Reviews of Phantom Comics Released in Australian Volume One by Alyce Caswell.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

It's time! My book of Phantom reviews is available in various places online, but YOU get the ebook for free. Hit the Smashwords link below and use coupon code CB7TW in your cart or at checkout. www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...

smashwords.com

Adventures with the Purple Guy: Reviews of Phantom Comics Released in Australia

This book contains short reviews of 500 Phantom comic books, as released by Frew Publications in Australia.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Sorry for the radio silence. School holidays were a bit chaotic, so perhaps publishing a book in January was not a good idea. Yes, it's published in various places! Those places carry a price tag, but I'll provide a coupon for freebies off Smashwords after I catch up on some work.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

No 2011 As with the previous issue, this one contains a new Team Fantomen story and a new part of “Hunters’ Prey”.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

No 2010 This issue pairs a new Team Fantomen story with the first part of a Frew original—a Shane Foley serial, which continues on from “Bad Blood in Bangalla”.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

No 2009 — Carnival in Rio The Phantom joins in Diana in Rio de Janeiro and looks into why a dam building project is being sabotaged. The investigation part of this story was excellent. Great pacing! Then things went slightly south when it became about an Incan-inspired cult. 4/5

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

No 2008 In this full-colour issue, Frew treats us to two homegrown stories. The pages are of magazine quality, something that happens every now and then. And how I adore this cover!

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

No 2007 — Replica Series No 44 Reprints of Nos 65, 64, 63 and 62 are to be found inside this issue; unusually, it also contains two non-Phantom stories.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Heads up, subscribers... if Frew calls your phone, it's because they want to sell you back issues and not because they discovered a book you might be publishing in the near future lmao

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

The review ebook has a January 24 release date. I'm unable to set up preorders for free books but obviously I'll remind you all when it drops. I hope to have the paperback also done by then (POD, available only by contacting me directly) - and this concludes any updates on the matter until January.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Typesetting complete. Basic ebook cover created (have stock subscription and Photoshop, will travel). Next stage is proofing...and possibly making paperback files. Or maybe picking up the latest issue and reading that 😅

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Third draft of The Book is now finished. What's next? Typesetting!

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Reposted by Phantom Phan

paulcameronart.bsky.social @paulcameronart.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

I couldn't get this team up idea out of my head so here it is! I think this is an unstoppable team! What do you guys think? #blackpanther #kingtachalla #thephantom #theghostwhowalks #marvelcomics #madcavestudios #fanart #teamup #crossover #freelanceartist #wakandaforever

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Just found this file in my cloud storage and remembered that I once searched Trove for the Phantom's first appearance in Australia. As you do! (Yes, yes... I know it's not Frew...) #thephantom

Photo is of page 49 from the September 1, 1936 issue of The Australian Woman's Mirror. It was taken from the Trove archive. It shows the beginning of a Phantom adventure and notably has been edited to say it's set in Sydney Harbour.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

No 2006 — The Man Who Cannot Die What if the Phantom truly was the man who cannot die? He has lived for centuries, endlessly fighting piracy, and hasn’t much humanity left. This was awesome! A great read in the lead up to Halloween — I’d like to see more stories like this. 5/5

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

No 2005 This issue serves up part 2 of “The Killer and the Ghost”, along with a Frew-first story by Shane Foley.

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

No 2004 This issue pairs a new Team Fantomen story with the next instalment of The Phantom: Vietnam.

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Reposted by Phantom Phan

Paul Mason @pmason83.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

We hope you’ll dig part 3 when it eventually comes out, with the hopes we get to do more with Julie down the track. Thank you!

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Finally caught up on everything, including Giantsize. Now I can relax... *spots the Super Yank hardcovers on my dining room table* Oh no

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Phantom Phan @frewphantomphan.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

No 2003 — The Final Battle (The Devil’s Brotherhood Pt 3) Rpt. The Phantom heads to Hong Kong to take on the remaining Tiger Generals and the mysterious “21”. The Phantom’s legend was used well here. But I’m a bit disgruntled that this battle is far from “final”. 3.5/5

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