PRESS RELEASE
A legacy reborn, a new Phantom rises in the year 2040. King Features Syndicate, a unit of Hearst and home to some of the world’s most popular entertainment characters, today debuted Phantom 2040: A New Shadow, an all-new webcomic series that reimagines the iconic “Ghost Who Walks” for a new generation. In a fractured 2040 ravaged by climate collapse, aimless ex-soccer star Carlos Osorio takes up the mantle of The Phantom to stand up against an ambitious corporate villain— forcing him to become The Ghost Who Walks and fight to save humanity.
Launching today, season one of Phantom 2040: A New Shadow includes 20 chapters, releasing in weekly installments in a vertical scroll format, as popularized on platforms like Webtoons, exclusively on Comics Kingdom. The series reunites powerhouse duo Alex Segura (Secret Identity, Dick Tracy, Star Wars) and Michael Moreci (Star Wars, Barbaric Vol. 1, Dick Tracy) as co-writers, with art by John Amor (Urban Animal) and edited by King Features’ Alex Garcia (Eye Lie Popeye). Phantom 2040 is based on the iconic character and first costumed hero, who was introduced in 1936 by Lee Falk in the classic comic strip, The Phantom.
“The Phantom is an iconic pulp hero, and he was one of the characters Michael and I talked about as a pie-in-the-sky dream,” said Segura. “Now it’s happening, and we’re bringing the same energy we brought to revitalizing Dick Tracy – creating a modern, sci-fi-infused take that honors what came before, but hopefully blazes a new trail. We can’t wait for folks to read what we’re doing in partnership with the folks at King Features.”
Moreci added, “I love pulp heroes, and there’s been one I’ve always wanted to write: The Phantom. Now I am, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s a privilege to help craft this new era for The Phantom; Alex and I are telling a story we love, and since we’re coming at it from the perspective of fans, we know readers will love it, too.”
In 2040, Earth’s climate has collapsed, nations have splintered, and York’s megacorp ZERO shelters the elite behind Bot‑guarded steel walls. During a hyped press event at Walker’s Table, The Phantom’s legendary refuge, billionaire Charles Tyrus displays The Phantom costume, declaring himself humanity’s savior, but instead, Carlos Osorio, a Mexican American ex-pro soccer phenom, steps into the role of The Phantom. Hunted by ZERO, guided by a battle-scarred Kit Walker II, and drawn toward the vast Ghost Jungle, Earth’s last living rainforest straddling the U.S.–Mexican border, Carlos must embrace the myth of The Ghost Who Walks to defend the planet’s final green spark and topple Tyrus’s ruthless techno‑empire.
“An eco-thriller that finds our hero battling corporate tyranny to save humanity’s future, Phantom 2040: A New Shadow is a bold take on the iconic hero that will captivate longtime Phantom fans and newcomers alike,” said Alex Garcia, Editor for Phantom 2040: A New Shadow and Director, Direct to Consumer, King Features Syndicate. “Alex Segura and Michael Moreci are a true dream team and their passion for The Phantom is clear in every chapter. We can’t wait to see readers’ reactions to this epic story.”
This new webcomic arrives in a year of significant growth for The Phantom franchise, as the legendary hero expands across both gaming and publishing. Earlier this year, Art of Play Interactive released The Phantom, a fully branded action-adventure video game, while Aristocrat Gaming introduced themed slot machines now lighting up North American casino floors. In publishing, Mad Cave Studios launched a new comic book series, previewed during Free Comic Book Day in May, and rolling out monthly issues beginning this month. Together with today’s debut of Phantom 2040: A New Shadow, these exciting launches are building momentum as King Features heads into the brand’s 90th anniversary in 2026.
New chapters of Phantom 2040: A New Shadow will be released on Wednesdays at ComicsKingdom.com. Fans can read up to four chapters for free, with full access to Phantom 2040: A New Shadow available exclusively to Comics Kingdom subscribers. New subscribers can sign up now to receive their first 60 days free.
About The Phantom
Created by Lee Falk in 1936, The Phantom is a classic comic strip turned global phenomenon featuring the first masked superhero. When the sole survivor of a pirate attack washed upon the shores of Bangalla, a fictional country off the east Coast of Africa, The Phantom was born. Dedicating his life to the destruction of piracy, greed, cruelty and injustice, this legacy was passed down through generations. Over time, there arose a legend of The Ghost Who Walks, a hero who cannot die. Since his debut, The Phantom has the distinction of being one of the few adventure strips in continuous syndication. With over 60 years of publishing, animated TV series adaptations, a feature film, and a loyal legion for fans across the globe, The Phantom still strikes fear into the hearts of even the most hardened criminals.
About King Features
King Features is a premier producer and distributor of the world’s most iconic intellectual properties and a leader in classic character licensing and franchise development. With one of the longest-running consumer products programs in the industry, King Features’ portfolio includes world-renowned pop culture brands such as Popeye®, Flash Gordon™, The Phantom™, Hägar the Horrible, Moomin, Prince Valiant® and Mandrake the Magician. King Features produced the Emmy-nominated series The Cuphead Show! with Netflix Animation which debuted in 2022. As content syndication specialists, the company distributes beloved comics such as Blondie, Beetle Bailey®, Mutts™ and dozens of others as well as columns, editorial cartoons and puzzles across multiple platforms and content providers around the globe. King Features is part of Hearst Newspapers, which publishes 24 dailies and 52 weeklies, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle and Times Union (Albany, New York), and operates local digital marketing services and directories.
via King Features
