A 98th BIRTHDAY SALUTE!
By PETER BOSCH
Several days ago, we saluted the 90th anniversary of Lee Falk’s newspaper strip, The Phantom. That article also talked briefly about the three main artists of the strip — Ray Moore, Wilson McCoy, and a fellow named Sy Barry.
It was Barry’s art, in particular, that made the strip even greater, and he drew it for 33 years (from 1961 to 1994)!
He also did a number of special illustrations for The Phantom comics and posters, here and abroad. And since today is his 98th birthday (born March 12, 1928, and still with us!), we here at 13th Dimension think this is the perfect time to enjoy more of his artwork for The Phantom.
Mr. Barry, thank you for all the enjoyment you have given us. Happy birthday!
The Phantom #21 (Mar. 1967, King) cover proof
The Phantom #22 (May 1967) cover proof
The Phantom #23 (July 1967) cover proof
The Phantom #24 (Aug. 1967) cover proof
The Phantom #25 (Sept. 1967) cover proof
The Phantom #26 (Oct. 1967) cover proof
The Phantom #27 (Nov. 1967) cover proof
The Phantom #28 (Dec. 1967) cover proof
Special print artwork done for Australia (which has one of the greatest Phantom fan bases in the world!)
Special print created during retirement by Sy Barry.
2015 drawing
Special original drawing, 2017
Special note to other Sy Barry fans: A new, 304-page hardcover book, The Phantom: The Best of the Sy Barry Years, 1961-1994, is scheduled to be released May 27 by Hermes Press. This is apparently going to be limited to 1,000 copies. See the planned cover art below.
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MORE
— THE PHANTOM AT 90: 13 Highlights of the Ghost Who Walks. Click here.
— BURNE HOGARTH’S SPECTACULAR TARZAN: A Birthday Salute In 13 STRIPS AND COVERS. Click here.
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13th Dimension contributor-at-large PETER BOSCH’s first book, American TV Comic Books: 1940s-1980s – From the Small Screen to the Printed Page, was published by TwoMorrows. (You can buy it here.) A sequel, American Movie Comic Books: 1930s-1970s — From the Silver Screen to the Printed Page, is out now. (Buy it here.) Peter has written articles and conducted celebrity interviews for various magazines and newspapers. He lives in Hollywood.
