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The Phantom Avon: The Complete Series #1
The Story of the Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks: The Complete Avon Novels Volume 1
The Phans asked and Hermes Press delivered! Here is second edition of our beloved Phantom Avon reprints, bringing Volume One back in all its purple-suited glory!
Book one starts off with Lee Falk explaining, via the twentieth Phantom, the histories of the Phantoms that came before the current Ghost Who Walks. Famed artist George Wilson (Dr. Solar, Magnus Robot Fighter, The Phantom) painted all of the covers used for the Avon series, and they are reproduced beautifully to keep all of the details from the original books intact for a new generation of Phans to enjoy!
This first exciting book in the series, titled "The Story of The Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks," tells the story of the childhood and adolescence of the twenty-first Phantom. His father, the twentieth Phantom, regales the reader and young Kit Walker of the men who came before him: the fighter who beat Redbeard the Pirate, while gaining the heart of Queen Natala; the harrowing actions that the twentieth Phantom took to regain the friendship of the Rope People, and many more stories! In this opening to the series, we also meet Diana Palmer- the love of the Phantom, the woman who always can count on the Phantom to rescue her, even before he becomes The Ghost Who Walks.
This thrilling beginning shows the man behind the mask, as Kit and Guran, his confident and friend, embark on the first of many adventures. Be sure to tune in, because you'd hate to come in late to this tale!
Book one starts off with Lee Falk explaining, via the twentieth Phantom, the histories of the Phantoms that came before the current Ghost Who Walks. Famed artist George Wilson (Dr. Solar, Magnus Robot Fighter, The Phantom) painted all of the covers used for the Avon series, and they are reproduced beautifully to keep all of the details from the original books intact for a new generation of Phans to enjoy!
This first exciting book in the series, titled "The Story of The Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks," tells the story of the childhood and adolescence of the twenty-first Phantom. His father, the twentieth Phantom, regales the reader and young Kit Walker of the men who came before him: the fighter who beat Redbeard the Pirate, while gaining the heart of Queen Natala; the harrowing actions that the twentieth Phantom took to regain the friendship of the Rope People, and many more stories! In this opening to the series, we also meet Diana Palmer- the love of the Phantom, the woman who always can count on the Phantom to rescue her, even before he becomes The Ghost Who Walks.
This thrilling beginning shows the man behind the mask, as Kit and Guran, his confident and friend, embark on the first of many adventures. Be sure to tune in, because you'd hate to come in late to this tale!
160 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2020
61 people want to read
About the author
Lee Falk
1,663 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
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 17, 2019
When I was a child I like the Phantom, I liked his cool horse, rings, suit and skull cave. I didn't really contemplate The Phantoms moral standpoint or his illusion, that is the ghost who walks. Now I am older I appreciate that element so much more. The bombardment of marvel movies has only spiked my interest in the phantom even more.
I thought to myself if only there were novels on the phantom, the Comics are to short handed and to my surprise I found these fifteen novels reprinted by hermes press. This novel was excellent, I would guess it was one comic expanded into a short story.
I enjoyed the finer details presented and I enjoyed the fact tha the story was not hastily rushed like a comic. Much like a comic there is still much left up to the imagination to fill in the blanks but over all I am glad to say this book is worth reading. The cover art is reserved for the time the story was written and I find it to be captivating.
I thought to myself if only there were novels on the phantom, the Comics are to short handed and to my surprise I found these fifteen novels reprinted by hermes press. This novel was excellent, I would guess it was one comic expanded into a short story.
I enjoyed the finer details presented and I enjoyed the fact tha the story was not hastily rushed like a comic. Much like a comic there is still much left up to the imagination to fill in the blanks but over all I am glad to say this book is worth reading. The cover art is reserved for the time the story was written and I find it to be captivating.
April 1, 2018
I discovered the Phantom as a kid and was drawn to his unique backstory and exotic setting. It was not until I became an adult that the problematic aspects of the Phantom became apparent to me and this novel highlights a few of them. To his credit Lee Falk does make an effort to show the Phantom not as a colonizer or ruler but as a friend to the native people of Bangalla but there is still a bit of a white saviour thing going on. Also parts of the story build the Phantom up to be almost too perfect and just SOOOO amazing that it takes some of the drama away. I think many of the events depicted in this novel were originally stories in the comic strip and if spread out over time they might not have been as unbelievable but all together it was a bit too much. Overall I did enjoy the book and painted cover by George Wilson is simple gorgeous. A fun novel about an interesting character who can be a spark for discussion about colonialism in popular culture and a good example of how we should think critically about the media we consume.
July 7, 2023
This first volume is the origin of the 21st Phantom, which is who this series will be about. It's a decent origin story, following this Phantom from his birth until he takes over the mantle from his father. This volume reminded me a lot of Tarzan, as the characters are somewhat similar.
One thing that irks me a little (and this was in the Tarzan novels as well) is just how superhuman the writer tries to present the characters. Do they really have to be better than everyone in the world at everything?
Another issue. In this story, Kit Walker goes to college and becomes a famous athlete, known all over the USA, if not the entire world. Then he disappears into the jungle to become the Phantom. Just seemed like he'd want to keep a slightly lower profile since the Phantom's whole deal is supposed to be operating in mystery.
Even with the minor issues I had, this was a very good read. If you like adventure novels, you should probably try this series.
One thing that irks me a little (and this was in the Tarzan novels as well) is just how superhuman the writer tries to present the characters. Do they really have to be better than everyone in the world at everything?
Another issue. In this story, Kit Walker goes to college and becomes a famous athlete, known all over the USA, if not the entire world. Then he disappears into the jungle to become the Phantom. Just seemed like he'd want to keep a slightly lower profile since the Phantom's whole deal is supposed to be operating in mystery.
Even with the minor issues I had, this was a very good read. If you like adventure novels, you should probably try this series.
April 17, 2022
Good, kind-hearted action story based on the old comic strip that is surprisingly broadminded and socially and racially enlightened, something that generally can’t be said for pulpy adventure tales from the 1940s.
January 2, 2025
Juvenile pulp fiction about a dynasty of evil-fighters living behind a jungle waterfall in a skull-shaped cave. First book is an origin story, written in a heroic, almost mythical style about herculean labours of different Phantom incarnations throughout the ages.
May 5, 2025
WOW...a trip down childhood memory lane! The Phantom was my favorite comic strip when I was young and Volume #1 brought back all those memories. Well written but the story tended to get on a bit "long" during Kit's college years. A great ending peaking my interest to read Volume #2!
August 11, 2022
I have watched the movie many times and finally decided to read this book. I loved the background it gave to the Phantom! It was an easy, fast read... not bogged down with too much detail.
September 8, 2025
Great book . Fun read.
Well written story. Easy to read and enjoyable throughout. It was just as fun to read today as forty years ago when I first read it.
Well written story. Easy to read and enjoyable throughout. It was just as fun to read today as forty years ago when I first read it.
September 20, 2022
Written a style somewhere between comic strips and 1940s pulp, this original story from creator Lee Falk entertains. I would have preferred a straight up Phantom adventure instead of this origin story for the 21st Phantom, but seeing how I was exploring this recently discovered novelization reprints I thought I should start at the beginning.
Perfect for a fan of The Ghost Who Walks.
Perfect for a fan of The Ghost Who Walks.
June 23, 2021
Brilliant
I really enjoyed reading it. It is full of character and laughs. The first bit in my opinion is the best as it views the world from another angle.
I really enjoyed reading it. It is full of character and laughs. The first bit in my opinion is the best as it views the world from another angle.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews