Thursday 11 January 2018

Scribble Picnic - Favourite Fiction Character

When I saw that this week's prompt was — Favourite Fiction Character — I was instantly transported back to my teenage years.

Each year, our parents would take us to the Brisbane Exhibition Show at the RNA Showgrounds and we kids always looked forward to bringing home lots of 'sample' bags.  These bags were put together by various companies and were filled with lollies (sweets/candy), chocolate, potato chips (crisps), miniature toys, and some even contained comic books. When we were little, the sample bags were the only things that my siblings and I looked forward to each year...once we had between five and eight of them in our hot, little hands, we wanted to go home and sort through our goodies. haha

However, once the teen years arrived, we were more keen to explore the show and go on the show rides. We would still buy sample bags and that was how I came to discover The Phantom..my favourite comic book character!  He was also known as The Ghost Who Walks and The Man Who Cannot Die. I have always adored wolves, viewing them as my spirit/totem animal, so that was the very first thing that drew me to this masked superhero wearing purple tights — he had a wolf named Devil and a horse named Hero. I also loved the jungle setting and the archaeological feel to the story lines. My superhero lived in a Scull Cave too! I loved reading The Phantom comic strips!

I hasten to add that this fascination was from my teenage self and, if I were to read the same comic strips today, I may not be impressed at all.

After doing some research for this post, I discovered that The Phantom was actually the very first superhero to be dressed in tights...he set the precedent for Batman, Spiderman, Superman, etc.

I found the following 80th Anniversary Special on YouTube if you are interested in the origins and story behind the masked man. The Phantom was quite popular in Australia.

So, of course, I had to do a sketch of The Phantom for my take on the prompt...

To see the favourite fiction characters of my fellow picnickers, click HERE.
To find out how you can join in on the fun each week, click HERE.

Next week's prompt is HOT CHOCOLATE...hope to see you at the picnic!

19 comments:

  1. Serena,
    Hi there. Great illustration of the phantom.
    Blessings
    Janis

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  2. I only know about the phantom through the Billy Zane movie which is sort of bad but I like the phantom. I like his purple suit. good rendition of the phantom, look at those muscles.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. Thanks, Lissa! I was never a fan of the Billy Zane movie.

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  3. great job :D never read the comic and the movie was.....um forgettable lol

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    1. Thanks! Yes, the movie was definitely forgettable! haha I definitely preferred the comic books.

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  4. Wow! He is something else. Great choice.

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  5. That was interesting! I never read many comic books and when I did they were not superhero ones but Archie, etc...the ones my cousins had. Good likeness. I was impressed that the Phantom doesn't kill! :)

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  6. I never did get into the comic books but I have a cousin that has written for some. Great drawing.

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  7. I do remember the Phantom comics. He was an awesome and inspiring character, but I had long forgotten about him until today. A great reminder of a hero with values that we can all respect. Thank you, Serena, for this refresing reminder.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  8. Wow..what a hunk...I think I'm in love. Just a masterful drawing. Love it!!!!

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    1. Wanda, I just love you. You re such a hoot!! :D

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  9. Serena, I loved your write up and enjoyed learning a bit more about you. Great take on the theme! You did a fantastic job! Way better than I could have ever done with him. :)
    xo

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  10. Beautifully done Serena, I love all the superheroes.

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  11. Oooh ah! Look at that six-pack! :) Lovely scribble Serena!! :) I would LOVE a little sample bag just about now! And interesting about the wolf, what a wonderful totem for you. Mine is the Doe. :)

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    1. Um, what kind of sample bag are we talking about here? lol

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  12. Oh yes, I know about the Phantom but don;t think I ever read the comics. In fact the only comics I ever read were my (10 years older) sister's ones but she had the 60's and 70's X-Men adn Iron Man mainly.

    This is suc a fabulous write up--fascinating-- ANd he will be a wonderful addition to the party. Migth need him with Rain's characters lurking about let alone Toad! Thank you so much, Serena. Fab job.

    P.S. It's so funny how tights adn undies over the tights came to be standard wear for super heroes until the reimagined versions of Superman movies and Marvel films.

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  13. A really interesting post Serena - and your illustration is awesome. Not familiar with the character but you certainly bring him to life here!
    Happy day - Mary

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  14. Oh wow i remember reading the comics of Phathom. My brother used to bring it to read and when i used to read it he would say why are you reading boys comics. I would get so annoyed with him for saying that. But i readthem and used to love them. Wonderful sketch

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