Fantomen Nr.12/2005
by Hans Lindahl
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- The King of Norway
- Script: Nils Norberg
- Art: Hans Lindahl
- First published in Fantomen Nr.12/2005 by Egmont, Scandinavia. Original cover shown on the left, thanks to Ulf Granberg.
- Message from the Publisher:
Another trip back in time in this issue with The King of Norway, a new adventure written by Nils Nordberg and brilliantly illustrated by Hans Lindahl. It would be a masterpiece of understatement to say The Phantom has a busy time in this story! He is involved in street fights, two explosions, attempted murders and assassinations, heroic rescues and a brutal battle with a throwback to the Viking warriors .... All of that in London, Norway, at sea - and even in a daring escape in a hot air balloon! You will love every frame on every page!
Writer Nordberg has based his script reasonably close to historical truth, but naturally enough, has bent many facts to give The Ghost Who Walks top billing in the story! King Oscar II formally abdicated the Norwegian crown in October 1905 and the following month, Prince Carl of Denmark accepted the Norwegian throne, taking the name Haakon VII. It was a time of upheaval involving royalty and politics in Scandinavia, but the events of 1905 finally brought stability, with Norway at last becoming an independent constitutional monarchy. It may assist your understanding of this story if you can spare the time to look up Norway on the Web, or simply turn to the reference in any good encyclopaedia. However, best you skim lightly over all the official history, because while it is fascinating, it is complex. I recommend you do a quick bit of browsing and then settle back and enjoy The Phantom in blazing action!
Covers for this issue are by Antonio Lemos.
In our next edition (Frew #1422, on sale 5 August), we will bring you another new story - the first part of three episode adventure about the son of the Pirate Queen. Yes! We're going back to find out what became of the son of Kate Somerset! In case you just came in (or are having difficulty remembering!), the Pirate Queen's son was left a semi-cripple in Of The Same Blood (Frew #1400). He was sent to England for specialist treatment and faded into the background. Until now! In Frew #1422, we will find out how the Pirate Queen's son (Chris), whose father was an earlier Phantom, has fared. In future issues, we will find out a lot more - all of it surprising! It is highly recommended that you take time out to re-visit Frew #1400, to discover how young Chris suffered such appalling injuries. You will also be able to refresh your memory about what became of Kate Somerset.
In the first part of this new series, you can look forward to a gripping adventure by David Bishop with superb art by César Spadari. Future episodes will be spread out over the remainder of 2005 and the climax of the story will probably not appear until December, or even early next year.
There are at least two more series stories on the way. One is called Lost in Cyber Space and the other is entitled Chamber of the Gods, with art respectively by Hans Lindahl and Paul Ryan. Not to mention the fact that we will shortly bring you the second episode of Diana Disappears. This is a four-part adventure and you will have to wait until early next year before the mystery is finally resolved.
While all these stories are being pieced together, Frew is working hard towards assembling a really special Anniversary Issue to celebrate The Phantom's 70th year in the wonderful world of comics.
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