Why Is THE PHANTOM Painted On Tribal Art?!? || Comic Misconceptions || NerdSync

What Are the Different AGES of COMICS? ▶▶ • What Are the Different...
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Lee Falk's The Phantom is the prototypical comic book superhero. Making his debut before Batman or even Superman, The Phantom shaped the modern superhero. So how fitting that the Man Who Cannot Die lives on thanks to the Wahgi tribe of Papua New Guinea, and there dedication to painting his striking image on their beautiful shields!
Every Wednesday, Comic Misconceptions explores the incredible stories, fascinating ideas, and mind-blowing theories regarding comic books and the rich history and culture that surrounds them!
Hosted by Scott Niswander (@ScottNiswander)
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SOURCES:
The Man Who Cannot Die
www.lastwordonnothing.com/2010...
Why Does This Comic Book Hero Appear On So Many New Guinea War Shields?
io9.com/why-does-this-comic-bo...
POP TRIBAL
www.artnet.com/magazineus/revi...
A Blog About Things - The Phantom
rgfellows.tumblr.com/post/6493...
15 Papua New Guinean superhero war shields
www.oobject.com/category/15-pa...
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[@Weskalia]

You know the Phantom is the first costumed superhero in comic books but he doesn't get the love he deserves. Good or bad, I wish for a Phantom movie in the future.

[@CosmicNerdStudios]

their have been animated movies

[@theamazingspider-man9792]

There was already a phantom movie. He literally said there was one.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

I'd love for there to be a new Phantom movie! Who would you cast as the lead?

[@Weskalia]

Probably because I grew up with DiCaprio, I think he would be a good choice. And Scott, while you're doing non Marvel/DC heroes, can you do some for people like the Shadow, Zorro, the Darkness, Lone Ranger, Invincible?

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Takatora Toudou You're going to have to be more specific. What exactly should I talk about?

[@preteristlab-endtimes5683]

I've been reading the PHANTOM for over fifty years now. Who couldn't love a man who drinks milk, has a pet wolf, and thrashes bullies? Thanks for the post. Great summary.

[@TheAnanaki]

In 1000 years Ancient Alien theorists will use the stories about The Phantom told by the Waghi as proof that ancient man was visited by aliens. Lol

[@Spacefrisian]

+TheAnanaki And you cannot come to another conclusion as...yes the Phantom was real.

[@Shorai_3]

He also has the moniker of, "The ghost who walks". It's even mention the theme song to Defenders of the Earth.

[@Getwright-]

+Jason Scarce yeah, when i think of him i think of "the ghost who walks" probably because thats the coolest possible nick name for anyone ever.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

+TheBd62 True story. Haha

[@yonatanrotbach1722]

Superheroes, with their immense popularity, the wide appeal, and the way they empower the characters, even the most unlikely of them, to be strong and heroic, makes them a great tool for representation. Even people who can't appreciate the comics fully because they can't read them, like the Wahgi people, or blind people, can see themselves and feel empowered by characters like The Phantom and Daredevil. There's a big issue among comic book nerds today and for a while, to alienate readers who want to see themselves represented in their favorite heroes. They call those readers 'fake' and call characters or decisions made to represent different groups as 'pandering'. I think examples like The Phantom totally prove this mindset wrong, by showing just how much good representation can do to comics and the image or comic. As for me, I feel most empowered by Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, since like myself they are the generation to holocaust survivors (or at least they were until they were retconned).

[@GeahkBurchill]

I quite literally adopted Spiderman as my identity in middle school and it stuck with me though high school. In 5th grade there was a two-story tall cafeteria building where all the various yard balls and footballs ended up. I used to climb the drain pipe to the roof and throw balls down. I climbed all the trees and every building i could. There were very few rooftops I wasn't acquainted with. By the time I was in High School the nickname had taken hold so much that teachers called me Spiderman. On my first job (As a muralist for LA county) no one on the crew knew my real name and I was called Spiderman by my boss until _his_ boss changed the rules and everyone had to call me by my given name. By the time I was 21 the nickname had faded entirely but for about 7 years I WAS Spiderman to most people who knew me.

[@XrosM]

That's awesome! :D

[@GeahkBurchill]

***** Watch the video.

[@GeahkBurchill]

"But I have a question for you, what comic book character would _you_ adopt as your own personal symbol? Put it in the comments!" -Scott Niswander--this video

[@Srcsqwrn]

+shAh _ It's okay buddy. We all stop paying attention sometimes.

[@Srcsqwrn]

***** Hey man, I think that's your department.

[@raggarharry9765]

Here in Sweden The Phantom is a on going comic with 25 issues in the year. I cind of know a guy who ilustreted one issue. His name is Henrik Jonsson he is super good at drawing.

[@subhammitra1142]

raggarharry It still runs with grace in India as a comic Strip if you aren't racist I just shared that if it counts .

[@GamesFromSpace]

Those shields would make amazing collectibles.

[@Banchoking]

+Joshua Pearce I can imagine comic book nerds getting into melee with those warriors to try and get their shields.

[@GamesFromSpace]

Banchoking I have trouble imagining comic book nerds getting into melee which doesn't involve dice.

[@Banchoking]

Joshua Pearce You've never seen a nerd riot. Nerds are clumsy, but they fight dirty. Ever see someone get shanked with a Harry Potter wand replica?

[@rexeleon]

+Banchoking Rare DROP!

[@BATMANLOVER-ck2tf]

+Banchoking Oh please any respectable collector keeps their collection of replicas stored in an IKEA Detolf glass case or hung on a wall next to the framed certificate of authenticity. LARPING only takes place with designated LARP weapons at all times.

[@Sasseverk]

The Phantom is still beeing published in Scandinavia

[@CosmicNerdStudios]

really!? that is beyond awesome. are they any good

[@Sasseverk]

Cosmic Nerd Studios i don't know, i haven't checked it out yet, but it's quite popular

[@raggarharry9765]

+Cosmic Nerd Studios Oh yeah! I live in Sweden and I got the latest issue 2 days ago it was awsome!

[@CosmicNerdStudios]

+raggarharry I shall have to check those out

[@CosmicNerdStudios]

+raggarharry then its time for me to go to Sweden

[@lucigallagher5542]

I just looked up at the origin of The Phantom and he is from Portsmouth England. That's awesome I'm from the same place as a comicbook charther.

[@TheSpiderjaws]

Thousands of years later, humanity or aliens come to Earth, unknowing of 20th century history, and find the Phantom on tribal art. And so their history is...messed up, to say. And the Phantom is believed to be their god. Oh, history.

[@projekttaku1]

imagine if they find all the superman merch and believe him to be our god.

[@HavikLaosBoi69]

Wahgi Tribe are the best comic fans, confirmed!

[@TheDude44464]

There was also a Phantom movie (mini series) made in 2009 for Syfy

[@CosmicNerdStudios]

and a animated cartoon movie

[@Shneily-Wheely]

+Slyxyx Couldn't the phantom call on the strength of ten tigers or something, in that show? my memory of it is very hazy.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Oh man, I had no idea! He's all over the place!

[@albinli5019]

Swedens 1# superhero right there! (Him and Donald Duck...)

[@DaveKrzeminski]

Wow great video! Thanks for doing that research Scott. Love this channel

[@Chandasouk]

You have the coolest videos. No idea where you find these topics, but I'm glad you put me on to new things.

[@Natakupl]

That is just beyond awesome. Shame that the black panther didn't exist back then. They would have loved him.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Probably! Shares a lot of similarities with why they liked the Phantom. Comes from a jungle territory, wears a mask, comes from a line of warriors, etc. I think you're right!

[@ArghyaSen93]

Black panther is a total ripoff of Phantom

[@ASR-Ansori]

@@ArghyaSen93 Not really. I mean, the original Black Panther was T'Challa's father who later became Black Panther, they're both in jungle environments and they're stronger and more agile than average men... That's about all they have in common.

[@CosmicNerdStudios]

this brings back so many memories of watching a phantom animated movie with my dad

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Good stuff!

[@BurnRoddy]

*FINALLY!* This is the best day of my life! The early days of comics is my favorite precisely because of how much impact comics had back in the day. For well over 40 years starting with the Yellow Kid and Little Nemo up until the end of the Golden Age of comics, comic strips and magazines were so revolutionary, mesmerizing and inspiring filled with imagery and storytelling at a level that was never seen before that they were literally engraved into people's lives in most ways than ever since then. Comics like Little Nemo transported the readers to a place beyond their imagination, I find it very interesting that the art is so reminiscent of Hieronymus Bosch yet was available to all puiblic that cared to pay for a newspaper. But then artist like Lee Falk, Hal Foster and Alex Raymond took it to the next level and introduced, in the words of late great Mako Iwamatsu, _the days of high adventure_. *THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS SPACE SCOTT. If you don't mind this is one of the videos I want to take to my grave!*

[@NerdSyncProductions]

I love your enthusiasm! It's incredibly encouraging, and is the reason why I keep making videos! Thanks for the fantastic comment!

[@SleepingGroke]

The Phantom was one of the first comicbook heroes I knew, and still one of my favourites. I have a ton of comics from him.

[@CookieMonsterMC11]

I'm so happy that you talked about *The Phantom* since he is probably my favorite super-hero! :D He is probably my favorite since it's pretty cheap to get Phantom comics here in Sweden and Marvel/DC comics you have to get on Amazon which can also be pretty expensive. The Phantom also has so much great mythology to him, his pet-wolf Devil and his horse Hero are just great companions! :D Great video as always Scott!

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@Amonkai]

always loved the phantom and defenders of the earth sadly they are not as popular as the mainstream ones . there a lot of compelling story arcs there you all should read

[@redleaderantilles1263]

i love how different this topic is to most of the stuff you tackle, Scott. I can't wait for the mini series about costumes.

[@tcochu]

this is really cool, thank you for this Video!

[@Sfactor1990]

Glad to know someone is talking about the Phantom

[@ZoniacMan]

I love the Phantom. My mom introduced me to it, i love the b/w Phantom comics.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Awesome!

[@bradenhill1588]

+NerdSync can you talk about some of the real life superheros that I've heard about like how they go to you drives for orphans or hand out good to the homeless

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Batman_INC 110 It's on my list!

[@Jamez808]

Awesome video Scott!

[@TeaforTinka]

I really liked this video, I'm definitely looking forward to more of these videos in the future :)

[@BingeWatchers]

Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms yo! Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

+Binge Watchers We may be talking about two different things... Haha

[@MLdoktor]

Haha thanks for that one!

[@CosmicNerdStudios]

this might be my fav episode!

[@NerdSyncProductions]

HUZZAH!!!

[@jykvox869]

Me too. I still refresh with it.

[@sluna6434]

I loved this video! I have the weird feeling that I've seen you do this same video before though.... deja vu I guess, can't wait for the videos about costumes! ^^

[@Sam-qp5po]

Great video, your videos truly make comics more interesting :)

[@vine1313]

"The Shadow." Because after all, "The Shadow knows!"

[@JPKloess]

I have been unable to tell for years what the heck the design behind the comic misconceptions bumper was...I now realize it is a comic book being flipped. Who'de a thunk it right?

[@NerdSyncProductions]

+JP Kloess It was something I lazily filmed on my phone back on the day. Haha

[@DuArMinHjalte]

Awesome with some phantom love! He was my introduction into comics, he is huge in Sweden. We acctually are one of the biggest producers of phantom comics these days! Cool with more phantom videos, he is really a uniqe hero and im guessing you will be talking a bit about The fact that his costume is in different colors in different countries? In Sweden its blue, in italy its red i think. Was supposed to be gray from the start, but there was something that went wrong when it went to print I think.. Anyhow, really glad to see more phantom videos!

[@venkteshprasadmayarao7265]

Thank you for making this video scott. The Phantom is one of my favorite childhood heroes. His comic books were passed on from my parents to me, much like The Phantom's oath :)

[@Rakshasa1986]

I wonder of the tribe ever found out about gangam style.

[@Ishaankaushal1]

I symbolize myself with Shazam. Such a powerful and mystical character who is only 15 like me

[@jeremycline9542]

Your Phantom videos are much appreciated!

[@tallman4050]

Good to see a video on the Phantom!

[@brunofranco4416]

I wish you whould talk about all the hundreds of female superheroes of the Golden age.

[@megalofyia9280]

Would, or wouldn't? Whouldn doesn't make it clear

[@brunofranco4416]

The Nerd Would

[@jacobhall4055]

+Bruno Franco it may be difficult for a while they were effected by the times and either comply useless a sidekick or symbols for feminism which at the time was what the industry needed. they just recently got the respect they have in comics.

[@brunofranco4416]

bruce clark Im talking about the female heroes who were leads and had their own titles. look it up on google.

[@jacobhall4055]

Bruno Franco I know a few.

[@electricmastro]

So does this mean that the Wahgi were some of the first people in comic book history to do fan art?

[@themorebike880]

Whoa

[@hashknight1]

excellent piece of information

[@jykvox869]

This remains one of my favorite of your videos.

[@TonySpike]

DEFENDERS OF THE EARTH!!!! (defendeeeeers)

[@Axerosh]

It's funny how huge this comic was i Sweden.

[@raggarharry9765]

+Axerosh I live i sweden and I LOVE the phantom.

[@Axerosh]

+raggarharry Of course, he's awesome! ;)

[@greenbat5866]

Norway too!

[@NerdSyncProductions]

That's interesting. I didn't know Phantom had such an international fanbase!

[@Santeri349]

+Axerosh Also in Finland. I have read so many of my fathers old Phantom-comics.

[@plasticpeon]

Wow, thank you very much for this video! :D

[@cjthechill]

Really good pick for a comic misconception keep em coming.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Thank you! :)

[@nikolaerceg224]

Valiant!!!!!!

[@NerdSyncProductions]

We've got plenty of Valiant stuff coming next year!!!

[@nikolaerceg224]

***** Hah, you always reply to me thats why you're one of my favorite youtubers

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Nikola Erceg Thank you!

[@nikolaerceg224]

***** your welcome always there for you

[@richfranklin2599]

+NerdSync that's great to hear Scott. Looking forward to it

[@sebkim7970]

I'd choose Ironman and Spiderman as my symbols.

[@stevehagen9804]

Like the iron spider armor, from the civil war comics? That had a pretty sweet design :)

[@sebkim7970]

+Steve Hagen I meant Ironman AND Spiderman but that design is awesome too :)

[@milanjackson417]

Hey Scott, I binge watch your show......love it. Could you do a series on the Milestone imprint ?

[@donaldsmith6814]

Started looking at comic strips like the Phantom, before i could read or even go to school. About the same time I discovered Comic books. This was in 1949-50. The only reason I wanted to learn to read was to be able to read comic strips & books for myself. Long live both the strips & books, I loved them all!

[@MurdocNiccolas]

The Hulk

[@SNAKE.LOVER.69]

Nice name

[@theboysllc3174]

Pickle man ahhhhhhhhhghhh

[@UnownDepth]

Saitama aka OPM all the way.

[@colorfastbat700]

Okay don't see what that has to do with the phantom?

[@UnownDepth]

My comic book character will like to have as a symbol

[@piccolo56000]

+Marshall Miles LOL not because of his power but character.

[@UnownDepth]

+lonewolf colin (Colintheexecutioner) ohh you are right lol

[@piccolo56000]

Marshall Miles absolutely , thanks

[@jamespatricks5140]

Super fascinating stuff. Will have to check out more about this character

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Definitely!

[@alastairduncan9905]

Great video, I am a big fan of the Phantom. I recently saw 4 Shields in the Pitt Rivers museum in Oxford on display.

[@3vin568]

BLACK PANTHER...

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Excellent choice!

[@3vin568]

***** Considering him looking meanacing and resmebling a panther its logical But Ghost rider and Spawn would also make some cool tribal symbols...

[@summuskhan3647]

Amazing video! Never knew about all of this, as well as a lot of topics covered on this channel. Like you have said yourself, it really helps enhance my comic book reading experience. I would probably have Black Panther on my shield.

[@Lamentlogic]

Lots of love to you my friend, the phantom is a personal favorite of mine who seems to go unknown. I learned of him from the movie, he was the one hero my father actually liked and we use to watch his movie when I got to go see him during summer vacation.

[@roof2093]

loved the intro Scott

[@akba666]

This is probably the coolest comic tidbit I ever learned on youtube.

[@crafty25936]

omg, this is amazing, super interesting, good job scott

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it as fascinating as I did!

[@ashutoshprakash3017]

Gopal Sangra finally someone dosen't think aquaman is lame

[@FurtiveIncognito1]

best episode yet!

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Thank you so much! :)

[@raggarharry9765]

I was thinking you would do something like how can every son of Kit Walker look the same. But this was very intresting. Nerdsync made a Phantom video, now I only have to be featured on the tales from the comments and then I can die a happy man.

[@JohnAquariusPodcast]

thats why you rock. at first it was the turtles, Daredevil connection now this, just when I thought I knew everything about comics you end up revealing something new. again awesome work keep it up. in response to your question I am a Batman fan through and through. Question since you are keeping off the topic of Dc and marvel subject any plans on characters like the Shadow. and the lone Ranger.

[@find_the_gnar6194]

this is so amazing super cool

[@nils.emilson]

YEEESSSS I grew up with Phantom comics! In Swedish, tbh, but still. Very happy to see this guy getting some attention, thanks! :)

[@Seraphim991]

Prince Valiant! (: Great video.

[@craigmargolius8207]

This is the most amazing comic story I’ve ever heard!

[@smcornthwaite13]

You should definitely do more videos based around The Phantom who is by far one of my all time favorite comic book heroes. But please don't forget the SYFY original movie that was suppose to kick start a Phantom tv series that never got off the ground. When I first saw the movie I thought... oh man they ruined the character... BUT, SYFY actually did a really good job of modernizing the character and the costume, without taking away from it like many updates do. And what makes the character so much more AWESOME is that he pre-dates both Superman and Batman as well as established the signature white eyes in masked comic book heroes. A truly under rated character for sure.

[@nikhilbhandarkar7226]

great vid,

[@craigspink2907]

Interesting video Scott! I quite enjoyed it! The Phantom looks like an interesting character! Are phantom comics still in print today?

[@camerongrow6426]

This somehow became my favorite video. its awesome to see unique ways a fictional character can effect a culture.

[@Roboboy17]

This was a really cool video! It's awesome how comic culture isn't soley based in first world countries but spreads across the world. Also Spider-man is definetly the character I'd associate myself with. He's funny, smart, and has a great sense of style Lol.

[@JonJacobJingleheimer]

This video deserves way more views.

[@Getwright-]

great video! the phantom also had a couple of cartoons (the phantom 2040 was amazing) and im pretty sure the sci-fi channel shot a pilot that was an updated version of the character in which he did parkor and had a high tech suit (it wasnt that great)

[@ivan_t9n]

Phantom was one of my favourites characters when I was a child, and I am not ashamed to admit that I knew him thanks to the movie. Best "regular man" after Batman. Awesome video!

[@jasontoddman7265]

+Ivan Cristian Jurisic I knew of him from the newspaper strips when the local newspaper carried his adventures in the 1960s. Unfortunately though those strips are very hard to find... at least in English or in the USA.

[@DarioMalandra]

That was quite interesting ! I didn't know sh*t about the Phantom, and I'm excited for the new videos to come ! Because capes, "ouside underwears" (uperwears ? ^^), spandex are stuff that we take for granted and I'm pretty sure the reason why they wear these is more relevent than saying : "well it was the 40s bro !". And I got to say that if I had to choose a superhero so that he could be my symbol I would chose... *originality incoming* BATMAAAN TADADADADA BATMAN ! He is already on 50% of my shirts so.. I guess that makes sense !

[@spencerwatson771]

That whole line of phantoms thing is one of the best origin/identity story is by far one of the best.

[@monkeymax1134]

This is really cool.

[@UnboxingJon]

I would love to hear that there is some tribe out there who happened to catch a few episodes of Charles in Charge and now there's a series of shields depicting Scot Baio in his prime.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

It's gotta be out there... somewhere...

[@fleek2102]

Dude that is so cool! Makes me wanna read a phantom comic now

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Awesome!

[@digidrveKJ]

this is really cool

[@rilluma]

this is awesome.

[@Norrisc761]

I love the Phantom. I really liked the Billy Zane movie. I even made a point of watching the Defenders of the Earth series when I was younger. He uses my favorite color scheme: Purple, black, & silver. I also love the hero legacy concept, passing the mantle from father to son. Very cool.

[@Muteleight]

Thanks for the Phantom episode dude! I've always loved The Phantom - he's essentially Batman, Tarzan and Indiana Jones combined which is awesome.

[@thetrocch365]

this was really interesting.

[@barrygallagher9165]

its ok scott because you make comic's more awesom! this comet is not sponsored by nirdsync, I ame just that much of a fan.

[@ohimleyesh4866]

Bravo Scott, I love the Phantom but had never heard of this tribe. So cool.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

Glad I'm not the only one who found it interesting!

[@lmjiwaka]

I think this links will be helpful..thanks. press.anu.edu.au/publications/series/terra-australis/ten-thousand-years-cultivation-kuk-swamp-highlands-papua-new www.pcabii.org/Jiwaka.jsp pg.geoview.info/wahgi_valley_with_highlands_highway,289040p

[@mikasa8292]

I went on an Art trip to this store that sold bones and ancient objects for example human skulls, shark teeth, or animal fur. And on of the objects that they had in that store was a wooden shield with Phantom painted on it.

[@mckendykandi2625]

Man i'm a big Phantom comic fan before and im from Papua New Guinea. You know PNG well and also the Highlands people. Thumbs up 👍👍👍

[@TheBlackSpiral]

Man, I used to watch the Phantom cartoon every week as a kid. That shit was good.

[@robertburkhart991]

Would love a video on The Shadow

[@pishposh1504]

I AM SO HAPPY THIS EPISODE WAS MADE! I love the phantom. I have the '96 movie and i'm 4 issues short of having the full run of "the last phantom" by Dynamite

[@xaqlee2503]

The first Phantom I ever saw was in the cartoon show, "Defenders of the Earth," where he was on a team consisting of himself, Flash Gordon, Lothar, and Mandrake. He had a daughter with a pet tiger. It'd make a great "Guardians-Like" feature. The version from the show did have a superpower though. The power to summon the strength of 10 Tigers, as he called it.

[@aaronschaefer4167]

You got to do an episode on Spring Heeled Jack!

[@timoyr2954]

It's so weird. I live in Finland, where the only comics you can buy at the store are Donald Duck and The Phantom-comics. I've never seen a single issue of a Superhero comic. I've ordered trades online, but I want to buy one at the store, Phantom is the only one I've been able to find. He's crazy popular here.

[@penburger]

This is a surprisingly wholesome story

[@CrystalblueMage]

MANDRAKE! (another Lee Falk) Was my favorite outside regular superhero comics.

[@dazzod1232]

Hi, Scott. Could you please do a video on any of the robins? It'd be greatly appreciated if you did so