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Is Sweden about to make this comic book icon a woman?

The Swedish version of long-running comic strip The Phantom could be poised to break new ground by backing a woman to become the next full-time incarnation of the eponymous hero.

Is Sweden about to make this comic book icon a woman?
Who's going to be the next Phantom? Photo: Egmont Publishing

Created by American Lee Falk in 1936, The Phantom focuses on the 21st in a line of masked crime-fighters who use strength and intelligence to defeat foes – until the inevitable day that a foe comes out on top, and the title is given up to an heir.

For years, readers have speculated over what would happen when the main hero of the comic eventually dies. Would his daughter Heloise, or twin brother Kit take over?

It looks like fans in Sweden are about to get an answer to the big question. The Scandinavian nation, which has written its own timeline of the comic since the 1960s, has now started to produce editions set in the future, covering the events after the 21st Phantom’s disappearance.


The Phantom creator Lee Falk pictured in 1977. Photo: Gunnar Lantz/TT

The people behind the Swedish comic have now hinted heavily that Heloise will emerge victorious in the battle to become the 22nd Phantom.

“The Phantom creator Lee Falk created Heloise, and as such he established the possibility of a female Phantom,” Andreas Eriksson, editor of the Swedish version of The Phantom said in a press release.

“It would be illogical to expect Heloise would step away from the possibility of becoming the Phantom without a fight. She grew up in the jungle and is equally trained for the task as her brother,” he added.

Diehard fans will know that the comic’s backstory did already feature one female version of the Phantom in the past, but that incarnation was only a temporary one. When the 17th Phantom Kit Walker took ill, his sister Julie donned the suit until he had returned to health.

Swedish editor Eriksson told The Local that a new full-time female Phantom would be a natural next step for the series.

“The prospect of a female Phantom has been around for a long time and is part of the concept of the series. As such it would be a natural development for the next Phantom to become a woman,” Eriksson explained. 

While a change of direction for the full-time Phantom may be on the cards in Sweden, fans of the classic 21st Phantom shouldn’t be too concerned. The Swedish writers have promised that they will continue to produce editions focusing on the old Phantom, with the future-based instalments released sporadically.

CHRISTMAS

WATCH: Viral Norwegian Christmas ad where Santa has a boyfriend

A Christmas advert by Posten, the Norwegian postal service, which depicts Santa in a same-sex relationship, has been branded "fantastic" and "perfect" after going viral. 

Pictured is a screenshot from Posten's Christmas advert.
The advert where Santa Claus falls in love with Harry, both pictured above, has caused a stir on social media. Picture from screenshot Youtube/ Posten.

Posten’s Christmas advert titled “When Harry met Santa” — a nod to the 1989 rom-com “When Harry met Sally…” — has caused a splash since it premiered on social media before airing on Norwegian screens this week. 

The new ad follows up on last year’s offering where Santa was angry at the postal service for taking away his “business”. 

The nearly four-minute film sees Santa and Harry build up a bond over several years. However, the pair are restricted to fleeting encounters due to Santa’s packed schedule- until he enlists Posten to ease his workload so the two can spend more time together before sharing a kiss in the final scene. 

The advert was made to mark next year’s 50th anniversary of same-sex relationships being decriminalised in the Scandinavian country.

“This year, it’s all about love – highlighting the fact that 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Norway,” Posten said in a statement to newswire Reuters.

“In addition to showing the flexibility of our services, we want to put it in a socially relevant setting,” it said.

Mats Strandberg, who is married to Johan Ehn, the actor who plays Harry, tweeted, “That’s my husband kissing Santa!”. 

Below you can watch the ad with English subtitles. 

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