Billy Zane’s The Phantom Is Finally Making a Comeback

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Even though some people are starting to get tired of superhero movies, films based on comic books – especially those from Marvel – are still consistently popular at the box office, and fans are eagerly anticipating the next Avengers movie. This success has encouraged other companies to create their own live-action adaptations, leading to shows like The Boys on Prime Video and several Hellboy projects. Recently, in April 2026, it was announced that a classic hero from before the early days of comics will be returning.

Before Superman became popular, comics mainly featured characters focused on exciting adventures and science fiction, rather than superpowers. These earlier stories, found in comic strips and pulp magazines, didn’t rely on heroes with special abilities like those we see today – no superheroes from outer space, mutants, or people with extraordinary powers. Now, King Features is bringing back one of these classic, influential heroes.

The 1990s Revolutionized Comic Book Cinema

The 1990s were a great time for comic book movies. After Tim Burton’s successful Batman film, Hollywood studios started making lots of movies based on comics. From Jim Carrey’s The Mask to the popular pairing of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black, comics experienced a new wave of popularity on the big screen. There were so many adaptations that many people don’t even realize their favorite films were originally comics. This era was especially good at bringing lesser-known characters and forgotten stories to life, including some classic heroes.

Lee Falk created The Phantom in 1936, launching it as a newspaper comic strip across America. From the very beginning, the strip followed his weekly adventures protecting Bangalla, a fictional African nation, from thieves and criminal organizations. Alongside his girlfriend, Diana Palmer – a character similar to Lois Lane – The Phantom battled pirates like the Singh Brotherhood, terrifying monsters, and powerful sorcerers. He’s considered a groundbreaking superhero, inspiring the creation of iconic characters like Batman and Black Panther and essentially establishing the template for costumed heroes.

In 1996, Billy Zane played Kit Walker, the newest Phantom – a hero whose lineage began when his ancestor arrived in Bangalla. The film centers on Kit’s investigation of a series of robberies, which leads him to an American villain named Xander Drax. After rescuing his former girlfriend, Diana, from a group of female pilots led by the captivating Sala, Kit travels to 1930s New York City seeking clues. He discovers Drax is after three powerful skulls that could give him global control, and Kit must use all his resources to stop him and save the world – and win back his love.

Even though it followed two animated shows, Defenders of the Earth and Phantom 2040, the 1996 Phantom movie wasn’t successful with critics or audiences. While it failed to make money in theaters, it did gain a dedicated following, even impressing Roger Ebert. Now, thirty years later, King Features is attempting to revive the franchise for a modern audience.

A Black Panther Writer is Reviving The Phantom For a New Generation

Fans of classic comics were excited in April 2026 when King Features announced a live-action TV series based on The Phantom. The series will be written by the author of the popular Marvel Black Panther comics from 2005-2008, which included the famous wedding of T’Challa and Storm. This author is a natural fit for bringing Falk’s hero to life, given their background in adventure stories. Developing a Phantom series feels like a fitting next step, as the character’s original formula greatly influenced the creation of Wakanda.

It’s still unclear what creative path Reginald Hudlin will take with the Phantom series. Given the character’s history – passed down through generations – the Phantom could realistically appear in any era from the 16th century onward. His stories have already spanned centuries, even placing him in futuristic, cyberpunk settings reminiscent of Batman Beyond. However, most comic book fans likely want to see him return to his roots in the African jungle. For the series to truly succeed, Hudlin might be wise to focus on an adventure style similar to Indiana Jones rather than the darker tone of Batman, echoing the approach of the 1996 film.

The way Reginald Hudlin and his team bring back The Phantom could influence future comic book adaptations. If they create a story similar to Batman or Black Panther, it might not feel unique. But by embracing the classic, old-fashioned jungle adventure roots of the comic, they could revitalize a genre that’s been missing in action. A successful Phantom TV series could also open the door for other classic pulp heroes like The Shadow and Green Hornet to make a comeback.

Now that Disney has canceled the planned remake of The Rocketeer, the success of Reginald Hudlin’s upcoming Phantom series is especially important. If Hudlin can successfully blend the charm and heart of the original 1996 Rocketeer film with what modern audiences expect from an adventure story, the show could revive interest in a whole genre of classic American pulp fiction.

The Phantom Found a Fan in Roger Ebert

Released in 1996, The Phantom didn’t do well in theaters, but it gained a dedicated following over time. It particularly resonated with film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, who was a strong supporter of action-adventure movies inspired by comics and pulp magazines. He was a big fan of similar films from that decade, including The Mummy and The Rocketeer, and even found things to appreciate in movies like Congo and Anaconda, seeing them as part of the same adventurous spirit.

Reviewing The Phantom, Roger Ebert called it a visually stunning and exciting jungle adventure. He praised the film as thoroughly enjoyable, energetic, and beautifully designed. This came at a time when jungle adventures were becoming less popular, with audiences increasingly drawn to darker thrillers and the resurgence of big-budget science fiction.

The movie is not only visually exciting, but also has a strong story, taking the time to develop the Phantom’s history. Director Simon Wincer strikes a perfect balance – the film is dramatic without taking itself too seriously, and Billy Zane embodies the Phantom as someone who is amused, wise, and a little rebellious. The reviewer also highlighted the Phantom’s vulnerability as a key strength – he’s not an invincible superhero, but a character who can be hurt, and even killed. This makes him stand out from the often-unbeatable heroes found in Marvel and DC comics.

Roger Ebert differed from many of his peers by judging movies within their own genre, rather than comparing them to supposed classics. The 1996 film Phantom isn’t trying to be a prestigious, groundbreaking work; it’s a faithful adaptation of the original stories. Ultimately, it’s a fun, self-aware jungle adventure that consistently delivers exactly what you’d expect.

The Phantom Has a Proud Legacy in Comics

First appearing in 1933 thanks to Lee Falk, The Phantom has been a cornerstone of jungle adventure comics for nearly a century. Often called the Ghost Who Walks, what makes this hero special is the tradition of passing the role down through families, from father to son. Most readers know Kit Walker, who is the 21st Phantom, tracing his lineage back to an ancestor who arrived in Bangalla long ago. Over the years, talented comic creators like Graham Nolan, Peter David, and Ray Fawkes have contributed to the character’s stories.

The Phantom is a landmark comic book character – the very first to wear a full-body costume. While characters like Zorro had distinct appearances, it was The Phantom who truly paved the way for superhero costumes, even influencing the design of Batman’s Dark Knight. Now, with a new comic series by Reginald Hudlin, the 1996 Phantom movie – a film Roger Ebert surprisingly enjoyed – deserves a second look.

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2026-04-25 03:08