James Rivera
Frew Publications is a pioneering Australian comic book publisher, best known for its enduring and beloved reprint series of Lee Falk’s The Phantom. Established in 1948, Frew is widely regarded as the longest-running comic book publisher in Australia and one of the most influential in the southern hemisphere. In addition to The Phantom, Frew has also published many other noteworthy titles, including Falk’s earlier creation Mandrake the Magician, along with Australian originals such as Sir Falcon, The Phantom Ranger, and The Shadow. Over more than seven decades of operation, Frew has played a critical role in shaping Australia’s comic book culture.
Infobox: Frew Publications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Frew Publications |
| Founded | 1948 |
| Founders | Ron Forsyth, Lawford ‘Jim’ Richardson, Jack Eisen, Peter Watson |
| Headquarters | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | Adventure, Superhero, Action, Fantasy |
| Signature Titles | The Phantom, Giant-Size Phantom, Sir Falcon, The Shadow |
| Ownership (current) | Glenn Ford and Rene White (since 2016) |
| Former Editors | Jim Shepherd, Judith Shepherd |
| Major Artists | Keith Chatto, Glenn Ford, Shane Foley, Jeremy MacPherson |
| Circulation (est.) | 25,000 per issue (as of 2007) |
Founding and Early Years
Frew Publications was launched in 1948 by four visionary founders: Ron Forsyth, Lawford ‘Jim’ Richardson, Jack Eisen, and Peter Watson. Each founder invested 500 pounds to start the business. The name “Frew” was coined using the initials of their surnames. Eisen and Watson withdrew before the first comic was released, leaving Forsyth and Richardson to spearhead the enterprise.
The duo quickly approached the Yaffa Syndicate, representing King Features Syndicate in Australia, to obtain the rights to publish The Phantom. Under strict licensing conditions, Frew was forbidden from publishing stories concurrently appearing in other Australian media like the Australian Woman’s Mirror.
Frew’s debut comic, The Phantom: The Slave Traders, was released on 9 September 1948. The initial two issues had no numbering and were printed in an unusual landscape format with side-stapled spines. Starting from the third issue, Mr Hog, Frew adopted a standard portrait layout with numbered issues, establishing a format that continues today.
Expansion and Golden Era
From 1949 to 1958, Frew enjoyed a golden age of growth, launching a broad array of titles including Popeye, The Phantom Ranger, Sir Falcon, Catman, The Shadow (an Australian creation unrelated to the American version), and Super Yank Comics. At its peak, Frew managed over thirty different titles, creating a booming comic book scene in Australia. Among these, The Suicide Squad is notable for predating the DC Comics series by several years, though it lasted only one issue.
The rise of imported American comic books in the 1960s prompted Frew to downsize its operations, eventually focusing exclusively on The Phantom. Despite these market shifts, Frew managed to retain a strong domestic fanbase.
International Contributions and Innovations
In 1978, Frew ventured into international territory by publishing its first Swedish-originated Phantom story, The Ghost (Issue #730). It wasn’t until 1983 that Swedish content became a regular part of the publication, beginning with The Tiger from Rangoon (Issue #763).
In 1987, renowned editor and writer Jim Shepherd joined Frew as a consultant and soon took over as managing director. With Peter Forsyth, he acquired full ownership, and by 1995, Shepherd became the sole proprietor. His tenure marked an important period in Frew’s history, introducing original Phantom stories crafted entirely in Australia.
Original Australian Phantom Stories
- Rumble in the Jungle (Issue #951A) – Script by Jim Shepherd, Art by Keith Chatto
- Return of the Singh Brotherhood (Issue #962)
- The Kings Cross Connection (Issue #1000)
- The Search for Byron (Issue #1131) – Illustrated by Glenn Ford
These stories were highly regarded and helped establish a uniquely Australian take on The Phantom legacy.
Transitions and New Leadership
Following Jim Shepherd’s passing on 15 April 2013 due to a heart attack, his wife Judith Shepherd, who had long served as senior editor, and their son Stephen Shepherd, continued his legacy. In 2016, Frew was sold to a new team led by Glenn Ford and Rene White, who ushered in a renewed era for the company.
Artistic Excellence and Visual Identity
Frew has always maintained a distinctive tradition of original cover art. This dedication to artistic quality has attracted many talented illustrators, including:
- Tommy Hughes
- Keith Chatto
- Glenn Ford
- Shane Foley
- Antonio Lemos
- Terry Welsby (credited as “Tessa”)
- Jason Frazer
- Paul Agnew
- Jeremy MacPherson
- Meg Coates
- Terry Lee
- Jamie Johnson
- Wai-Chew Chan
Their contributions helped define the visual language and recognizable style of Frew’s publications.
Revival Through Giant-Size Phantom
In 2017, Frew revitalized classic characters from its archives through the launch of Giant-Size Phantom. This ongoing anthology series featured all-new stories of beloved legacy heroes, including:
- Sir Falcon: Riddles in Armour and Black – Shane Foley
- The Phantom Ranger: Phantoms – Shane Foley
- Planetman – Shane Foley; also by Christopher Sequeira, Massimo Gamberi & Luca Giorgi
- The Shadow – Jeremy MacPherson
- The Phantom Ranger – Felmang and Max Fish
These new narratives breathed fresh life into vintage characters and attracted new audiences while satisfying longtime fans.
Legacy and Enduring Impact
Since launching its first edition in 1948, Frew’s The Phantom has become a cultural mainstay in Australia. As of the early 2000s, the series was still being distributed with an estimated circulation of 25,000 copies per issue, outperforming most contemporary titles. In 2006, Frew commemorated 70 years of continuous publication, a testament to its resilience and reader loyalty.
The publisher’s archive contains rare gems, such as:
- Unnumbered Editions: 65A, 76A, 76B, etc.
- Untitled Covers: Issues 43–47, 49–821, and 823–828
- The Missing Issue #330: Accidentally omitted and later reissued as a replica in the 2019 Annual Special (#1830)
Frew Publications remains a cornerstone of Australian comics, upholding a legacy of creativity, artistic excellence, and cultural significance. With a history spanning over 75 years, Frew continues to engage readers both in Australia and around the world. Its dedication to storytelling, character preservation, and independent publishing makes it a truly iconic force in the comic book industry.
