Memories of LEE FALK and FOTP
I’ve been a Phantom fan for many years and am, quite possibly, the oldest “Phan’ since my first memories of his adventures date back to the Ray Moore era. For many years, I thought I was just about the only serious enthusiast in this country until that happy day when Pete Klaus called me on the phone over thirty years ago. Shortly thereafter, we came up with the idea of an association of “Friends of the Phantom.” Pete presented Lee with a plaque signed by us honoring him at a convention in New York City in June, 1990.
We later contacted Jim Shepherd, the publisher of the Australian FREWcomics, about the FOTP and he arranged for us to meet with Lee at Sardi’s on May 14, 1993. That was the first luncheon with Lee at his favorite New York restaurant. Ed Rhoades joined us about a year before and was in attendance at that first gathering that included Jim and Judith Shepherd, Pete Klaus and me. At that first Friends luncheon, we presented Lee with a skull-topped cane and a Latin Testimonial signed by Bob Griffin, Pete Kaus, Ed Rhoades and jim Shepherd. Early in 1994, Ed Rhoades began editing “The Friends of the Phantom Newsletter” which he continued to do for several years thereafter.
Many years have passed since that first gathering of seros Phantom fans and the association continues to expand including friends from many lands and languages all of whom are indebted to that masterful creator of an extraordinary superhero who triumphs despite lacking superpowers.
Bob Griffin
(Professor Bob Griffin (USA) is perhaps the “senior” Phantom reader, collector and historian since his memories date back to the late 1930s when his father read him the daily adventures. When Lee Falk learned that his was a “three generation family,” a friendship and correspondence began that lasted until Lee’s passing)