"For those who came in late.........."
............The phrase I have never forgotten! Ever since my childhood, The Phantom is the clearest memory of the first costumed hero I was introduced to in print. Next door to my grandparents home, there was an abandoned house from the 1950's, it remained locked and unused, until one night a hobo broke into the house, and spent the night there.
The next day the hillside was abuzz with the story of the break in, and of course I accompanied my grandfather, when he went in to investigate the house with the other neighbors. While the adults went from room to room, I spied a huge stack of newspapers in the corner, along with stacks of what I would later come to know as "Pulps". Among the piles of papers, were old Sunday funnies, and to my surprise, The Phantom! The colors still stick out in my mind, brilliant blues, yellows,reds,....and of course purple! The panels at that time were larger than they are now, I had never seen color on comics as vibrant as these were. From that time on, we would sneak into the old house, and read the old comics, and pulps, it's too bad all those treasures got tossed when relatives of the house came one day and carried off all of what they called "junk".
......The Phantom project came about in a very strange way. I had been attending a local convention in Atlanta Ga., called Dragon con ever since the year before I graduated high school (it was originally called Atlanta Fantasy Fair ). About four years ago, I traveled to the con with my boss, and two co-workers, where we met a young lady by the name of MIRACOLE, (Who would later become Mrs Miracole Burns!). *To see more of the fantastic Miracole, check out her website: http://www.miracole.com/
She was costuming as WonderWoman, and her friend MANDY as Supergirl, accompanied by another Floridian, TJ as Superman. We were all very impressed by the work they had put into their costumes, and after we returned from the trip, my friend Shango (Shane Aschton) suggested we all do the costume thing just once to say we did it.
TJ McDonnell pictured to the left!
I had no idea who to go as, and everyone had already picked a character, so Shango suggested I go as "The Phantom". It took me most of the year to put the costume together, making props, gun belt etc., not to mention having to redye my costume, because it arrived from Hong Kong.....PINK! Needless to say it took about seven dye jobs to finally change the color. So, I guess you could say, if it had not been for Shane making the suggestion to play the Phantom, I would not be doing this today!
After about 2 years I had essentially become known as the Phantom in the costuming circles at conventions, which if you attend cons dressed as one particular character, you mostly become associated with that character.
I started out with a MySpace page, and after many requests for new pics from friends and Phans of the Phantom, I decided "Why not do stories told in pictures reminiscent of the old lobby cards I saw in theaters when I was a kid?"
After about 2 years I had essentially become known as the Phantom in the costuming circles at conventions, which if you attend cons dressed as one particular character, you mostly become associated with that character.
I started out with a MySpace page, and after many requests for new pics from friends and Phans of the Phantom, I decided "Why not do stories told in pictures reminiscent of the old lobby cards I saw in theaters when I was a kid?"
I was very fortunate to have the friends and acquaintances I have made over the years to help with this project. People donating their time, effort and skills, to promote the Phantom legacy. As time has passed, and we have made new friends, we have been able to do some exceptional shoots, such as the one with BUD. I had given up hope in finding a solid white horse, then fate stepped in, and we were introduced to BUD, and award winning Racking horse.
...After the death of the father,each Phantom buries his father in the tomb of the Phantoms. He then carves a tombstone for his son, or daughter that will follow in his footsteps, then proceeds to present himself to the bandar tribe, once again ensuring that the Phantom legacy will continue until the next generation. The Phantom takes on this heavy responsibility, not for gain or profit, but for duty.
I have always felt a sort of kinship with this character. I like the Phantom, am the last of my line, my father's side of the family are all deceased, and after I pass, if I do not have a son to take my place, the family line will end with me. I know that I will not be able to do this forever. Hopefully I have laid the groundwork so that one day when the time comes for me to pass on my rings, mask, and holsters, I will have found a younger successor to take my place, just as the Phantom passes the mantle to his son or daughter.
I have always felt a sort of kinship with this character. I like the Phantom, am the last of my line, my father's side of the family are all deceased, and after I pass, if I do not have a son to take my place, the family line will end with me. I know that I will not be able to do this forever. Hopefully I have laid the groundwork so that one day when the time comes for me to pass on my rings, mask, and holsters, I will have found a younger successor to take my place, just as the Phantom passes the mantle to his son or daughter.