[A&E] Chapter 1: “Guardian Angels”

"Pistol" Pete Klaus and Ed Rhoades (mustache) with Lee Falk and Sy Barry.

Back in 2007, soon after I started working on my first Phantom story for Egmont, I became acquainted with Ed Rhoades and “Pistol” Pete Klaus.

“For those who came in late” these two gentlemen happen to be two of the foremost Phantom historian, collectors and promoters. They were also the co-founders of the “Friends of the Phantom Society” which has sponsored numerous charitable initiatives along with a traditional annual luncheon at Sardi's Restaurant in New York with guests such as Lee Falk (who created The Phantom in 1936) and Sy Barry. (One The Phantom’s most iconic artists)

Ed and Pete quickly became my Guardian Angels. They educated me on The Phantom’s history, his heritage and what he represented for generations of fans worldwide.

Even after the untimely passing of Ed Rhoades (July 30, 2012) “Pistol Pete” kept the “Friends of The Phantom” going by keeping in touch with a lot of creators, editors, publishers and collectors from all over the world.

I was fortunate enough (and still am) to get periodical phone calls from Pete who encouraged me along the way, while sharing with me some rare reference material and even some Lee Falk and Sy Barry originals which are proudly displayed on my studio wall.

In one of these phone calls, ( in the later part of 2013) Pete mentioned that he had recommended my services to Dan Herman, the publisher of Hermes Press, a Pennsylvania company specializing in art books and classic comic book reprints.

Pete and Dan had been long time friends and had collaborated in the recovery of original material to be used in the reprints.

I told Pete that I would be willing to talk to Mr. Herman and I waited for his call for a few months, until that faithful day arrived, in February 2014.

Dan was calling me from his cell phone, on the way back home. That was the reason for the bad connection. “Saaal- bzzz- I heard good thingzz about you from our mutual friend Pete… Bzzzz…Anywayszz- zzzz- I have an offer for you, if you’re interested…”

Coming up, next: “Your mission, if you decide to accept it…”

[A&E] Prologue: “Jungle Drums”

Many Phantom stories begin with the sound of the Jungle drums.

This story starts about the same way, except the sound of the jungle drums resembled more the ring of my phone.

“Hello –tzzzz- this is-zzzz- Daniel Herman, publisher of Hermes-zzz- Press- zzzzz…”

The connection was pretty bad and the caller on the other side was talking fast.

Nonetheless, I was able to make up the gist of the conversation, since I had already known, for months, this call would eventually come and why.

It was a quiet February afternoon of 2014 but the chain reaction that would bring me to this point, started seven years before, at the time I first started drawing The Phantom.

NEXT : “Guardian Angels”

[A&E] The Phantom: Danger in the Forbidden City

The Phantom: Danger in the Forbidden City  (Hard Cover and Trade Paperback) are now available for pre-order. (Click here to pre-order) The book collects the 6 issue mini series, written by Peter David and illustrated by yours truly. (With colors by Eugenio Mattozzi) Both editions will be presented at the San Diego Comic Con ( July 21-24, 2016)  

For the occasion, I would like to offer a creator’s perspective on the making of this critically acclaimed comic book miniseries. It’s a story  of a long journey through peaks of enthusiasm and valleys of disappointment. I decided to entitle it “The Agony and the Ecstasy” since it sounded more elegant than “Comics are Lke Sausages: It’s Better not to See Them Being Made.”

So, if you don’t mind eating sausage while on a journey through agony and ecstasy, claim aboard, fasten your seat belts and hang on tight, for the next few weeks. See you soon!

(Coming up next: “Jungle Drums”)

R.I.P. Ed Rhoades

I have just received the sad news that Ed Rhoades passed away, today, as the result of a bicycling accident. (See the news report from WNEP Channel 16 in Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre, PA)

Ed Rhoades was a great  family man, musician, art teacher,  a longtime Phantom fan, and friend of Lee Falk, Sy Barry and several other Phantom creators, editors, and fellow-fans all over the world.

Rhoades was editor and publisher of the newsletter for the Phantom fan club Friends of the Phantom. He has also contributed Phantom-related articles and interviews for several other publications. In addition, Rhoades was integral to the making of the A&E "The Phantom: Comic Book Crusader" special, created for the A&E Biography series in 2000.

As of 2006, Rhoades was a consultant for Moonstone Books and contributed articles under the title "Behind the Mask". Rhoades also co-wrote a story with Mike Bullock for the prose anthology The Phantom Chronicles.

My deepest condolences go to Ed's wife Kimberly and all the Rhoades family.  Rest in Peace, Ed.

Friends of the Phantom

Well folks, it's official: I have been formally accepted into The Ancient and Mysterious Order of The Friends of the Phantom Society and I have the certificate to prove it! J

The certificate was just mailed to me by collector extraordinaire and Friends of the Phantom co-founder "Pistol" Pete Klaus. Together with Phantom historian and co-founder Ed Rhoades, Pistol Pete has been responsible for preserving the legacy of The Ghost Who Walks among fans for a long, long time.
Through the years, the Friends of the Phantom Society (FOTP) has sponsored numerous charitable initiatives along with a traditional annual luncheon at Sardi's Restaurant in New York City. Among the special guests of this luncheon there have been several fans as well as big names of The Phantom' s worldwide creative community, including the great Lee Falk himself and legendary artist Sy Barry.
You can see some of the luncheon's photos on Ed Rhoades' website.
In a future post, I will show and tell you a little more about a special initiative the FOTP took to celebrate Sy Barry's 80th birthday.