Welcome to the 59th episode of the Golden Age of Comic Books Podcast! In this episode we discuss Phantom Lady, who was published by several comic book companies during the Golden Age. She first appeared in Quality’s Police Comics #1 (August, 1941) and ran until issue #23 in 1943. Four years later, she was published by Fox Features Syndicate in her own title, Phantom Lady starting with issue #13 and ending with issue number 23. Her run in Phantom Lady was highlighted with art by great “good girl” artisit, Matt Baker. Baker was probably the first African American comic book artist. After another 5 year hiatus, she was picked up by Ajax and had a four issue run of Phantom Lady. The cover to Phantom Lady #17, shown here, is famous for being discussed by Fredric Wertham in his attack on comics in Seduction of The Innocent (1954).
Phantom Lady story from Police Comics #1
First Phantom Lady story from Phantom Lady #13
We also bring back the Golden Age Market Report and discuss some Golden Age reprint material.
We also discuss Comics Now! magazine and the DC Comics Vintage Super Hero Calendar.
Last but not least, we have our first ever Golden Age of Comic Book Podcast contest, but you’ll have to listen to the show to find out the details!
Golden Age of Comic Books Podcast #59 (48:45 MP3 22.3 MB)
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Always great to have anew podcast from you Bill. I loved it. Nice new website too!
Thanks, Mark and thanks for stopping by the new site!
[...] Baker (one of the first African American comic book artists. I talk a little more about him in Episode #59 of the Golden Age of Comic Books Podcast). St. John’s titles such as Teen Age Romances, Teen Age Confessions, Hollywood Romances and [...]
[...] Phantom Lady was a creation of the Iger Studio for Quality Comics, and was originally drawn by Allen Peddy and others in a manner that today would hardly be described as “good girl art”. She first appeared in Police Comics #1 (August, 1941) and was a regular in that title until her series ended in issue #23 in August, 1943. After a 4 year hiatus, the character was repackaged by Iger for the Fox Feature Syndicate, where she made her debut in Phantom Lady #13 (August, 1947) (this title had been Watalife Comics up to that point). It is in this issue where the great Matt Baker took over the character and worked his magic. Not only did Baker make the character a much more voluptuous super hero, he also changed her costume from a yellow and green one piece outfit, to a skimpy blue and red costume with a plunging neckline. The character’s popularity soared under Baker’s hand, and continued until 1949 when Fox ceased operations. In 1956, DC Comics acquired the rights to the Fox characters and has published several incarnations of Phantom Lady since reintroducing her in the pages of Justice League of America #107 (October, 1973). [...]