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Indrajal Comics #01 - 15: The Phantom's Belt
Indrajal Comics began publishing self-titled monthly issues in March 1964. Each of the first 10 issues had 16 pages of Phantom comics. The stories had to be edited to fit this short format. The remaining 12 pages were dedicated to other content, similar to Gold Key's style. In the next 19 issues it became 20-24 pages. As the series continued, different characters would share the spotlight. Characters such as Flash Gordon, Mandrake the Magician, Bahadur, Kerry Drake, Rip Kirby, Garth, Mike Nomad and Buz Sawyer appeared - as well as Disney characters Robin Hood and Mickey Mouse along with Goofy, but the majority of the series spotlighted The Phantom. So much so that the series is often erroneously referred to as "The Phantom" instead of the correct "Indrajal Comics".
In due course the publication became fortnightly and then weekly by 1981. The numbering of books which was simply sequential in the beginning then changed to have the typical volume and a number. Indrajal Comics #444 was labeled as Vol.20 and No.1. The front cover design changed with distinct banner containing the title "Indrajal Comics" with a small circle showing the face of the main charracter.
A total of 803 Indrajal Comics were published, excluding #123 and #124 which were not printed due to industrial strike action. More than half of these issues contained Phantom stories. The publishing stopped in 1990.
The cover artwork for the first 50 or so issues of Indrajal Comics was done by B.Govind, with the back cover featuring a pin-up poster. His artwork became very popular and even said to have matched the artwork on the covers of international phantom publications such as Gold key or Frew.
To avoid confusion among Indian readers, there were some minor changes done to the name of the Phantom's location and some characters in stories published in Indrajal Comics. The term " Bengali" or "Bengalla" or "Bengal" was changed to "Denkali" and in some issues "Dangalla" as well. This was since there is a state called "Bengal" in India and this may lead the readers to wonder about the "Pygmy" people that don't exist in Bengal.
The name of the "Singh Brotherhood" was changed to "Singa Brotherhood" and the killer of the father of the current (21st) Phantom was changed from "Rama" to "Ramalu" although the latter too is one of the common names in India.
Apart from English, Indrajal Comics published the stories in at least a dozen other Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and Kannada.
Contents:
Indrajal Comics #15
The Unknown Commander
May 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #14
The Mystery Of The Rattle
April 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #13
The Phantom And Samaris
March 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #12
The Phantom Is Chained
February 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #11
The Phantom's Treasure
January 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #10
The Phantom's Ring
December 1, 1964
Indrajal Comics #9
Thugs in Denkali
November 1, 1964
Indrajal Comics #8
The Playmate
October 1, 1964
Indrajal Comics #7
The Man-Eating Plant
September 1, 1964
In due course the publication became fortnightly and then weekly by 1981. The numbering of books which was simply sequential in the beginning then changed to have the typical volume and a number. Indrajal Comics #444 was labeled as Vol.20 and No.1. The front cover design changed with distinct banner containing the title "Indrajal Comics" with a small circle showing the face of the main charracter.
A total of 803 Indrajal Comics were published, excluding #123 and #124 which were not printed due to industrial strike action. More than half of these issues contained Phantom stories. The publishing stopped in 1990.
The cover artwork for the first 50 or so issues of Indrajal Comics was done by B.Govind, with the back cover featuring a pin-up poster. His artwork became very popular and even said to have matched the artwork on the covers of international phantom publications such as Gold key or Frew.
To avoid confusion among Indian readers, there were some minor changes done to the name of the Phantom's location and some characters in stories published in Indrajal Comics. The term " Bengali" or "Bengalla" or "Bengal" was changed to "Denkali" and in some issues "Dangalla" as well. This was since there is a state called "Bengal" in India and this may lead the readers to wonder about the "Pygmy" people that don't exist in Bengal.
The name of the "Singh Brotherhood" was changed to "Singa Brotherhood" and the killer of the father of the current (21st) Phantom was changed from "Rama" to "Ramalu" although the latter too is one of the common names in India.
Apart from English, Indrajal Comics published the stories in at least a dozen other Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and Kannada.
Contents:
Indrajal Comics #15
The Unknown Commander
May 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #14
The Mystery Of The Rattle
April 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #13
The Phantom And Samaris
March 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #12
The Phantom Is Chained
February 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #11
The Phantom's Treasure
January 1, 1965
Indrajal Comics #10
The Phantom's Ring
December 1, 1964
Indrajal Comics #9
Thugs in Denkali
November 1, 1964
Indrajal Comics #8
The Playmate
October 1, 1964
Indrajal Comics #7
The Man-Eating Plant
September 1, 1964
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1964
47 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Lee Falk
1,664 books68 followersLee Falk, born Leon Harrison Gross (April 28, 1911 - March 13, 1999), was an American writer, theater director and producer, best known as the creator of the popular comic strips The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician. At the height of their popularity, these strips attracted over 100 million readers every day. Falk also wrote short stories, and he contributed to a series of pulp novels about The Phantom
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 19, 2024
I have read Phantom's comic during my school years and even though, today's comics are high and detailed in graphics, I somehow love these old ones.
Phantom's Belt is the first comic in the phantom series, that narrates a tale of revenge by Phantom, to avenge the murder of his father-The previous Phantom.
Loved it! Will re-read more of The Phantom
Phantom's Belt is the first comic in the phantom series, that narrates a tale of revenge by Phantom, to avenge the murder of his father-The previous Phantom.
Loved it! Will re-read more of The Phantom
October 15, 2018
The first book of the world's first superhero in India....
June 10, 2021
wonderful book . my great father and i love phantom😍😍
October 25, 2024
The books that 5 year old me used to “read” and love. I know all these stories by heart and the drawings are etched in my mind forever. Love Phantom and his wild, wild world.
“He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword” - Old Jungle Saying
Includes The Phantom’s Belt, Prince Orq, The Challenge of Cannibals, The Phantom and the Imposter, The Phantom’s Isle of Eden, The Lunar Cult, The Man-Eating Plant, The Playmate, Thugs in Denkali, The Phantom’s Ring, The Phantom’s Treasure, The Phantom is Chained, The Phantom and Samaris, The Mystery of the Rattle and The Unknown Commander.
“He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword” - Old Jungle Saying
Includes The Phantom’s Belt, Prince Orq, The Challenge of Cannibals, The Phantom and the Imposter, The Phantom’s Isle of Eden, The Lunar Cult, The Man-Eating Plant, The Playmate, Thugs in Denkali, The Phantom’s Ring, The Phantom’s Treasure, The Phantom is Chained, The Phantom and Samaris, The Mystery of the Rattle and The Unknown Commander.
March 14, 2019
These stories are timeless ! My father read these in his boyhood & passed it to me. I had the comics hardbound but lost them when we moved houses. I'm so glad I found the electronic version. Certainly brought back fond memories of my childhood !!
November 12, 2023
The Phantom
This comic is a collection of Phantom comics, the stories themselves or good, but some of the pages are faded and about halfway through some of the words are cut off and the pages appear to be doubled up. This is why it's three stars.
This comic is a collection of Phantom comics, the stories themselves or good, but some of the pages are faded and about halfway through some of the words are cut off and the pages appear to be doubled up. This is why it's three stars.
October 27, 2018
Memories
A comic character I used to read at the back of newspapers and so it brings back fun memories.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
A comic character I used to read at the back of newspapers and so it brings back fun memories.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 22, 2020
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Beautiful, thrilling and nostalgic of our childhood days.We were so happy to read those adventure of Phantom, unable to describe
Beautiful, thrilling and nostalgic of our childhood days.We were so happy to read those adventure of Phantom, unable to describe
May 23, 2021
What's not to love in a Phantom Comic!
July 21, 2016
The Phantom laments the loss of his Dad, on his Remembrance Day, how he was killed while destroying the Singa pirate ship. Phantom's father had destroyed the dreaded Singa Pirate ship with the help of an informant. However the informant was a double crosser who ends up stabbing Phantom in the back.
The myth amongst people is that Phantom is the Ghost who walks. However, the pygmies know the secret. That it is a family where the responsibility is passed on from generation to generation. The present phantom is haunted by the mysterious killer of his father and the subsequent theft of his father's skull belt.
Meanwhile, a club gossip reaches the phantom, from a person named Calder, that he had once harboured on the infamous Gullique island, where pirates rule the roost. The leader of the Pirates there claimed to have killed the phantom and had his skull belt on display. The phantom decides to explore the myth and sets out for Gullique island. There he must face both his father's killer and also the Pirates, who were originally betrayed by Rama. Rama, now torn between the devil and the sea, sets off mines, thereby destroying both Gullique island and himself. Phantom returns home with his father's belt.
Devil (Phantom's Dog) also makes an appearance in this comic. There is nothing much of interest in the story. But then, every comic has to go through that phase where the character and its backstory needs to be established. I can only assume it is the same about Phantom too.
Being the first comic that I had ever laid my hands on, I have a particular interest in reading all the phantom stories. The illustration is nothing very charming. It is mediocre. I am not sure if it was different for the foreign editions.
The story of saviours who walk the jungle are very interesting to say the least. I have always loved Tarzan, and I am sure I will love Phantom also. At least that is the vibe that I am getting from this comic.
A must read to know phantom's backstory.
The myth amongst people is that Phantom is the Ghost who walks. However, the pygmies know the secret. That it is a family where the responsibility is passed on from generation to generation. The present phantom is haunted by the mysterious killer of his father and the subsequent theft of his father's skull belt.
Meanwhile, a club gossip reaches the phantom, from a person named Calder, that he had once harboured on the infamous Gullique island, where pirates rule the roost. The leader of the Pirates there claimed to have killed the phantom and had his skull belt on display. The phantom decides to explore the myth and sets out for Gullique island. There he must face both his father's killer and also the Pirates, who were originally betrayed by Rama. Rama, now torn between the devil and the sea, sets off mines, thereby destroying both Gullique island and himself. Phantom returns home with his father's belt.
Devil (Phantom's Dog) also makes an appearance in this comic. There is nothing much of interest in the story. But then, every comic has to go through that phase where the character and its backstory needs to be established. I can only assume it is the same about Phantom too.
Being the first comic that I had ever laid my hands on, I have a particular interest in reading all the phantom stories. The illustration is nothing very charming. It is mediocre. I am not sure if it was different for the foreign editions.
The story of saviours who walk the jungle are very interesting to say the least. I have always loved Tarzan, and I am sure I will love Phantom also. At least that is the vibe that I am getting from this comic.
A must read to know phantom's backstory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2017
A very old rare gem of a comic. Thanks to Internet for preserving the comic, I was able to read it. Enjoyed a lot.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews