The ghost who walks is back

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 17. The ``ghost'' who thrilled readers with his daring adventures in the 1960s and 1970s is back. Created by Lee Falk, ``Phantom'' the legendary comic character is all set to capture the hearts of thousands of young readers once again.

He is back courtesy the Indian Express Egmont Publications (IEEP), a three-year-old joint venture between the newspaper group and the Denmark-based Egmont International Holdings. Phantom comics were re-launched all over the country in the last week of May.

According to Ms. Sonjuhi Sharma, Regional Manager of IEEP, publication of Phantom comics had to be stopped in the early '80s because of inadequate material for stories. Phantom was originally published by ``Indrajaal'', a division of Bennett Coleman & Co. and the licence was later acquired by Diamond Comics.

To celebrate the return of ``The Ghost Who Walks'', a number of road shows are being organised across the length and breadth of the country. A colourful two-day road show started in the Capital on Saturday, though in the absence of the ``Man Who Cannot Die''.

Outside the Dolls' Museum on Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, adolescent girls and boys dressed in multi-coloured tribal costumes, with their faces painted in blue, green and red, wearing anklets and carrying spears in their hands danced to popular Western beats. A large crowd had already gathered outside the venue in anticipation of something grand. Posters of Phantom put up all around the museum attracted children from the neighbouring areas.

The tribal dance performance though short, was thoroughly appreciated and cheered by the crowd. After it ended, an on-the- spot game was organised wherein people were quizzed on Phantom trivia. The winners received a lot of exciting prizes like Phantom T-shirts, caps and masks. An enthusiast in the crowd, Mr Jacob, and his young son, proved to be an avid Phantom fan as they answered most questions correctly.

Asked why the main character was missing from the road show, Ms. Sharma replied,``We want to create a setting which evokes memories of Phantom and compels people to think about him. When their interest is sufficiently aroused they can read the new Phantom series.''

To reach out to a larger readership, the publishing group plans to print the comics in other Indian languages too. Besides including fresh adventures, Phantom clubs will also be introduced to enhance their appeal.

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CAPTION:

Youngsters dressed in tribal costumes make merry at a two-day promotional road show which got off to a colourful start in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

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