Fantomen Nr.5/2004
by Rolf Gohs
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- The Vanishing Lake
- Script: Claes Reimerthi
- Art: Dick Giordano
- First published in Fantomen Nr.5/2004 by Egmont, Scandinavia (26 Feb). Original cover shown on the left, thanks to Brian Jensen.
- Message from the Publisher:
Claes Reimerthi and Dick Giordano shared the writing and artistic duties on this new adventure, The Vanishing Lake. The two comics stalwarts teamed well, producing a fast-moving story, laced with just the right amount of tension and mystery.
There is one mysterious touch to the script and the art. See if you spot it instantly! It is all too obvious, but neither Reimerthi or Giordano offer any explanation. Rather than give you a clue, I'll read the mail with special interest to see how many fans picked up the curious happening. You will find the answer in the Message in our next issue.
Over the years, there have been a few Phantom adventures, written either by Lee Falk or authors who work for Egmont in Scandinavia, which were based on or around mysterious lakes or swamps. Lee's Lago the Lake God in 1945 is one story still well remembered. The Swamp Rats in 1959 is another. In 1985-86, Lee wrote another which was officially entitled Morga's Tale, but was changed with good reason by the Frew editors, to The Lake Lady. But none I can remember offhand touched on the theme of The Vanishing Lake. Hope you enjoy this one!
Our next edition, a 100-page special, on sale on 5 March, will contain a new Scandinavian adventure, a new American story and a special surprise adventure. Story length is of critical importance, because The Elixir of Life is longer than normal and space is at a premium. We'll keep you posted! The new Scandinavian story is written by Terrence Longstreet and illustrated by Dick Giordano and is a dark mystery. The adventure concerns an Austrian doctor whose fiancee dies tragically young. Racked by grief, he embarks on a quest to discover the Elixir of Life. None of his research turns up any leads ... until one day, while sitting in a North African bar, he overhears two locals discussing the legend of a mysterious person to whom they refer as ... The Phantom ... The Ghost Who Walks ... a man who has lived for "at least 300 years" ... From that moment, his quest for the elusive Elixir of Life switches to a new mission - to track down The Phantom! What happens from that point must remain a secret. Suffice to say that this adventure, which we have called The Elixir of Life, quickly gathers momentum and heads towards a dramatic and surprising climax!
The new American story which will back up The Elixir of Life is The Connoisseurs. Find out what happens when a group of eccentric and merciless hunters and poachers capture The Phantom - and give him a head start into the jungle ... so they can hunt him down like a wild animal. Gripping stuff!
Away from The Phantom ... I'm delighted to report that Frew's recent publication, A History of Australian Speedway sold out in record time! Apologies to all those who could not find a copy in their local newsagent. The demand for the title greatly exceeded our expectations and sadly, we are not geared to even consider a reprint. Thanks to all for the glowing notes we received from so many people who obviously enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
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