Moonstone Reveals "The Phantom: Unmasked"

While development continues on yet another update of "The Phantom", Moonstone Publishing continues their official comic book adventures of "The Ghost Who Walks':

"...Investigator 'Laughton Brice', brilliant as she is icily beautiful, traces the true origins of 'The Phantom' into the 'Deep Woods', ultimately meeting the 'Ghost Who Walks' face to face. In a deadly cat-and-mouse game of deceitful double-crosses and unexpected alliance, the 'Man Who Cannot Die' finally faces his most evil and ancient adversary..."

Although stalled by their government's pullback of film tax credits, Australian production company Sherlock Symington Productions continues to develop their previously announced "Phantom: Legacy" feature, based on creator Lee Falk's newspaper comic strip "The Phantom".

Bruce Sherlock, executive producer of Paramount's 1996 "Phantom" movie starring Billy Zane, is teamed with Howard Symington to produce "Phantom: Legacy" and was not involved with the 2009 Montreal-shot Syfy MOW, referred to on IMDB as "an abomination".

"Phantom: Legacy," a reboot of the comic strip character is planned as a big budget production, focusing on a "Father/Son relationship, and what it means to be The Phantom", said screenwriter Tim Boyle.

"The film will be set in the present day, dealing with the concept of destiny."

Created as a newspaper filler by artist Falk in 1936, predating both 'Batman' and 'Superman' as the first costumed super-hero to appear in print, "The Phantom" origin starts with 'Christopher Standish', a cabin boy for explorer Christopher Columbus, who marries and becomes the captain of his own commercial vessel.

But when his ship comes under attack by pirates, Christopher's only son 'Kit', the sole survivor, washes up on a 'distant African shore', befriended by the 'Bandar' tribe of pygmies.

Swearing revenge against 'piracy and injustice', Kit fashions a costume and becomes a feared figure, sporting a skull ring that leaves an impression on his enemies, riding a ghost-white stallion accompanied by a red-eyed wolf.

As each 'Phantom' dies of old age, another son or daughter takes up the mask and the fight against injustice.

"The Phantom" that appears in the current comic strip is Kit's 21st descendant.

The first 1940's 'Phantom' comic books were newspaper reprints published by Ace, King and Harvey comics. Other publishers included Charlton, DC and Marvel.

"Being able to bring the first masked comic superhero back to the big screen is an absolute honor," said Boyle.

"I've been researching The Phantom intensely and working with the support of King Features Syndicate to try and bring you the tightest possible film. Yes, this is a new look at the comic book hero...He will be, without doubt 'The Phantom'. A man who has sworn an oath to protect..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Phantom"...