The Phantom Returns: A Double Treat with Issue #20 and #21 – Reviving a Legacy That Started in India

November 15, 2025 Comics Byte

From Gravelines to the Great Jungle, the legend continues.

For Indian comic book lovers, The Phantom is not just another masked hero, he’s a timeless icon woven into the childhood of millions. With the release of The Phantom #20 and The Phantom #21, Shakti Comics rekindles a legacy that began six decades ago, when The Phantom’s Belt became the very first Indrajal Comic published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. in 1964.

The Phantom - The Belt - Shakti Comics — **The Phantom – The Belt – Shakti Comics**

The book was a massive hit, translated into multiple Indian languages and cemented the Phantom’s place in our homes, hearts, and history. Now, the legend continues with these two brand new editions crafted with the same passion that once ignited India’s golden age of adventure comics.

THE PHANTOM #20 — To Wrack and Ruin at Gravelines, A Fierce New Chapter in the Phantom Saga

He’s back and more ruthless than ever.

The Phantom #20 delivers a gripping, action-packed narrative where the stakes are higher, the enemies are deadlier and the Phantom’s resolve is unshakable. Tony DePaul’s writing brings sharp intensity, while Mike Manley’s pencils add weight and atmosphere to every frame.

The Phantom #20 - Shakti Comics — **The Phantom #20 – Shakti Comics**

But the visual punch truly lands with the artistic synergy behind the cover and interiors:

Lou Manna’s phantastic line art
Vibrant, atmospheric coloring by Moin Khan

Together, they deliver a full-color edition that doesn’t just tell a story, it immerses the reader in Rhodia, Gravelines Prison and the Phantom’s desperate race against destiny.

THE PHANTOM #21 — THE BELT, A Homage to India’s First-Ever Phantom Comic

If Issue #20 is raw power, Issue #21 is pure nostalgia.

The Phantom #21 – The Belt pays tribute to the legendary first Phantom comic published in India, the Indrajal classic The Phantom’s Belt. That single release in 1964 introduced Indian readers to the world of the masked hero and launched an era where Phantom comics were printed in multiple languages and became household bestsellers.