I started reading this one, but very fast I got bored. I wasn't the right person to read this book. I had to dnf it somewhere in the middle. I hope everyone else enjoyed it.

If you remember the character or never heard of him this is a great introduction. I first became aware of the iconic character from a late 90s movie starring Billy Zane then delved into his story from the 1930s.
Patrick provides a well-researched and documented story showcasing how The Phantom got his start stateside evolving into a sleeper hit and onto its way to becoming a cult classic. Outside the States his popularity is much higher which is a bit strange considering the Ghost is an American creation.

Since my introduction to the character came via a Hollywood production I didn’t have any knowledge of the back story and mythology and it took a while to acquire that as this was pre-Google days.

Since the Ghost Who Walks (AKA Phantom) came out before Superman it’s easy to see how he influenced the creation of what the world now knows as Marvel, DC and all the other independent artists and authors who were given a platform to display their talent in a unique way.

It’s a shame he wasn’t given the same level of popularity and love as the DC/Marvel creations in the States. It would seem only diehard fans of early comic lore will find their way to him and mythos unless you live anywhere else in the world. Could it be because he wasn’t given an American home base, mainly working out of the Jungles of Africa, despite being an American story, that he wasn’t shown the love? Was it Superman’s arrival a mere 2 years later that drove the Phantom underground because he couldn’t compete with the seemingly All American Hero wrapped in an Alien body?

Granted millions of non-Americans, and some Americans, have reportedly read his story but if you ask the average comic nerd stateside in various generations it’s doubtful many will know this character even if Billy Zane did a decent job of bringing him to life in the 20th century. He was at least able to find the respect he deserved in the Scandinavian countries, India and Australia.

Patrick provides so many details and information it can feel a bit overwhelming but it’s also a testament to how much history belongs to this complex character; only a fan can create something of this magnitude.

The Phantom Unmasked is a densely written and incredibly deeply investigated book about the classic Phantom comic strip first produced in 1936. The book chronicles the popularity in the States and how it grew outside of its initial market to become a phenomenon outside.

I remember reading the Phantom in my youth as it was in the daily newspaper and then would read the Sunday comics section. I came into the story when the Phantom and Diana had their twins so was not aware of the back story. It was interesting to see how the myth started and grew .

The comic strip itself was the springboard for Superman and other super hero comics and it is probably safe to say that it would make DC and Marvel what it is today. I also imagine that it probably was instrumental in sparking future comic book writers and illustrators to enter the career in the early days. This is the granddaddy of the superhero phenomenon.

I am not sure if I agree about the obscurity in the States as in Upstate New York where I grew up, this was a normal staple of the newspaper and Sunday comic section throughout my childhood. Of course, it has been many years since I lived in the States and I can not comment of the popularity today. I do think that if it has suffered in the States, it may have to be that most comic book heroes in the modern mainstream seem to be based or operate in the States which maybe a factor as the Phantom stories are mainly in the deep jungles.

The book is very detailed as stated before and sometimes information gets lost amongst all the detail being thrown at the reader. Mr Patrick is obviously a huge fan and he has lovingly put this book together. The only real criticism would be a straight forward running story of the comic series and some visuals within the pages as The Phantom was wonderfully drawn. It is probably important to note that I reviewed a Kindle version and there maybe illustrations in the forthcoming release on 15 November 2017.

It is very informative and if you want a comprehensive book dealing with the story of the forebearer of the superhero comic book, then this will be up your alley. I would recommend this as a reference book dealing with The Phantom and its grown and popularity around the world.

Debuting in 1936, and styled like gentleman adventurer, the Phantom was quickly overshadowed by Superman's 1938 creation. But was he? Patrick carefully traces a world of non-American exceptional comic book heroes, finding significant communities of fandom in Sweden, Australia and India, where promoters understood that "truth, justice and the American Way!" wouldn't sell as well as a character who could be more tailored to a local audience. I'm really enjoying the spate of comic book history from the U of Mississipi and now Iowa.

Not quite what I was expecting, but it had some insightful points throughout.