Since The Phantom predated Batman, was he the first hero depicted with a costume that had the white eyes look? I'm not sure if I can think of an earlier example.
Rock and The Phantom first met back in STF #1693...
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Yes, The Phantom was the first character to have white eyes in on the mask.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Lee Falk (The Phantom's creator) said this choice was inspired by by the all white eyes in classic Greek statues. He felt it made them seem mysterious, inhuman, and awe-inspiring.
The interesting part, it that said statues having blank eyes was not the intent of the statues. Originally these (and Roman) famous all-white statues were painted, the paint just wore off over the centuries.
Just goes to show, in this crazy world even a misconception can become iconic.
Not to mention where everyone had to go to get the one way material to see out but not see the "whites of their eyes".
ReplyDeleteBoth Stan Lee and Lee Falk have appeared in various comics over the years. It would be interesting to see them share a cover on this blog.
ReplyDeleteWow. The Phantom’s a lousy shot.
ReplyDelete@Anon7AM: he's probably aiming for whomever the machine gunner is protecting. Given that it's Sergeant Rock with whom the Phantom is "competing," I'll wildly guess that it's Der Eisenmajor (The Iron Major).
ReplyDeleteThe Phantom also predates the Crimson Avenger, whose mask was also the all white eyes version. I realize it wasn't as much of a costume yet, but still, he had that version of a mask as well.
ReplyDeleteThe pulp magazine hero called Moon Man had something similar. A spherical helmet made of something called "Bismarck glass"! That's often made me wonder if that 19th century German prime minister pioneered the use of one-way mirrors.
ReplyDeleteRock's saying "How rude!"
ReplyDeleteWasn't that the name of Abys Mal's servant on ALADDIN:TAS?
ReplyDelete"Dang civilians."
ReplyDeleteSergeant Rock could use that phrase as the initials for a post-war publishing company! ;-)
ReplyDelete@ Anon Sept. 9, 2023 :O
ReplyDelete