As reported, King Features has released their very first Phantom trend guide at the May 2024 licensing trade show in Las Vegas, USA. It has been a bit hard to find out exactly what a trend guide is and to find the new imagery they have given licensed holders. However, we can now show you some of the images KFS will be pushing as the Phantom nears his 90th birthday.
Hopefully this means we will see some new products being available for purchase.
They are still using the artwork by Amelia Vidal who designed the 2020 imagery but also some of the Phantom video game imagery designed by Anthony Spay.
The most obvious focus with the trend guide images are the focus on the Phantom's Old Jungle Sayings. Two are shown here in "You don't find the Phantom, he finds you" and "The Phantom moves as silently as fog".
The darkness of the imagery is powerful with a reduced colour palette plus using added dramatic lighting and silhouettes adds to the Phantom's power and mysteriousness.
The backgrounds, icons and fonts are all chosen with care and purpose. Agencies monitor the current behaviour trends and use these trends to present the current style guide in imagery that will be hopefully be used by publishers and devoured by buyers on products.
You can read an interview with Beth Nock from King Features about the Phantom, Popeye and Flash Gordon trend guides plus an interview with XGuides which is the branding agency that has designed and put together the trend guides.
To save you clicking and scrolling through the two interviews, the Phantom related talk is attached below. What do you think of the new imagery? Will it work on products and will you buy them?
XGuides also created a striking guide for The Phantom. What are some key brand attributes you wanted to come through here?
With the video game coming to consoles this December, I wanted to develop creative to complement the launch. The Phantom is a hero whose name drives fear into the hearts of even the most hardened criminals. I wanted to capture and transform that power into a guide showcasing The Phantom’s fierce sense of righteousness.
Referencing classic and modern comic stylings for inspiration, we combined a reduced colour palette, dramatic lighting and silhouettes with editorial from the comics – known as “old jungle sayings” to fans – resulting in a first-ever trend guide for The Phantom that is sure to make an impression.
Why do you feel The Phantom is an exciting prospect for designers at licensees to engage with?
Timing has never been better for creative partners looking to onboard a niche property with potential to becoming the next big thing in the market. The Phantom is on the rise with a video game, new publishing and new entertainment in development, plus opportunities for storytelling are endless.
Above all, The Phantom is dedicated to pursuing what is right and just. He is a beacon of light at time when our world feels consumed by corruption, dishonesty, violence, and chaos. And as a masked, multi-generational hero his adventures extend across time periods and locations. This guide is just the first step in helping partners bring that adventure to life in product form.
We are looking to expand the Chronicle Chamber team. If you would like to join the team by writing articles, reviewing comics and products, discuss news from around the world and even join us on podcasts, please email us at ChronicleChamber@gmail.com.
Comments