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******please bear with us while we complete the
Kari Tapio Leppänen tribute page*******
Mr. Leppänen has teamed with writer Claes Reimerthi, to bring us some amazing stories from the past, to try to give us a glimpse into the history of the Phantom's death's head ring, and take a look into the lives of the men who encountered it along the way before finding it's current home with our hero, and his ancestors! The team of Leppänen and Reimerthi has done a wonderful job of linking the death head ring to other men from the past to take up the fight against evil long forgotten.
I have only recently discovered Mr.Leppänen's work in the last 2 + years, but I have grown to love this fine artists rendering of the Phantom, and his historical work with Claes Reimerthi. I hope that you also will enjoy Mr. Leppänen's work as I have.
Mr. Leppänen has been illustrating the Phantom since 1978, over 90 beautifully rendered stories, including the historical stories we are covering here on this page. I am barely scratching the surface on his body of work that not only includes his Phantom stories, but he has done many other genres also. Please visit his website at: http://www.karileppanencomics.fi/english%20startpage.htm
At his website you will find not only a full explanation of the historical Phantom stories, but a complete checklist of his published Phantom stories, his John Carter of Mars series, (which I highly recommend!). among his other fine work! There is a checklist also of his work starting in 1966, as well as a step by step of how Kari creates a Phantom comic page, and his science fiction stories which are incredible!................Now on with the Phantom!!!!!!!!
I have only recently discovered Mr.Leppänen's work in the last 2 + years, but I have grown to love this fine artists rendering of the Phantom, and his historical work with Claes Reimerthi. I hope that you also will enjoy Mr. Leppänen's work as I have.
Mr. Leppänen has been illustrating the Phantom since 1978, over 90 beautifully rendered stories, including the historical stories we are covering here on this page. I am barely scratching the surface on his body of work that not only includes his Phantom stories, but he has done many other genres also. Please visit his website at: http://www.karileppanencomics.fi/english%20startpage.htm
At his website you will find not only a full explanation of the historical Phantom stories, but a complete checklist of his published Phantom stories, his John Carter of Mars series, (which I highly recommend!). among his other fine work! There is a checklist also of his work starting in 1966, as well as a step by step of how Kari creates a Phantom comic page, and his science fiction stories which are incredible!................Now on with the Phantom!!!!!!!!
The Phantom in: The Governor and Scarface!
THE PHANTOM GLADIATOR !
The massive 3 part story serialized in FANTOMET, and in THE PHANTOM (by Frew publishing) was written by Claes Reimerthi, and illustrated by Kari Leppänen.
The legend of Rahotep!
The Legend of Rahotep, reveals the origins of the ancient skull ring, and the rise of a young man who must not only defeat a monster made of clay, but bring to justice the power mad man who caused his father's death!
I am so thankful that Claes Reimerthi and Mr. Leppänen have embarked on their historical stories, it helps add even more depth, and mystery to our hero, and his legend!
I am so thankful that Claes Reimerthi and Mr. Leppänen have embarked on their historical stories, it helps add even more depth, and mystery to our hero, and his legend!
As seen on the beautifully rendered page to the right, our villain hints as to the power the ring possesses, and it's arrival on our planet well before the rise of the Egyptian rule! The black and white english versions of these stories are availible from Frew publishing, and the wonderfully colored versions are published in the Swedish language in the Fantomen title, you can find these books usually on ebay.
Below is another beautifully colored panel by Kari !
A father makes an exclamation to his son, who soon will don an attire similar to the modern Phantom, frightening tomb robbers who think he is a ghost of a dead Pharaoh!
Here to your left is another example of Mr. Leppänen's fine penmanship, and his use of colors bring to life the mysterious world of the Phantom,and the legend's that surround him.
Mr. Leppänen continues to dazzle us with his unique style of art, whether it is a Phantom storyline, or his works of science fiction, action,or adventure. His amazing art contribution to the comics field over these many years, is greatly appreciated, and I know we all look forward to his future projects, whether it is his own creation, or for that of other characters from other publishing companies.
When I first saw Mr.Leppänen's art, I instantly fell in love with the way he set the mood for his Phantom tales, he creates an atmosphere, and surroundings that give you the feel of actually being there with the Phantom on his many adventures.
Mr.Leppänen's use of shadows in his artwork create a strange and mysterious mood, that shows his mastery of the visuals he creates.
Mr. Leppänen's art harken's back to a time for me, when comics were fun to read, and re-read them over and over again. Unfortunately comics this day and age for the most part can be read quickly, and the stories are as easily forgotten, as they are quickly read.
