The famous superhero you have never heard of

We’re living in a world of superhero blockbusters. Yet while comic crusaders like Batman, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman get all the glory, the original spandex-clad hero goes unnoticed. Why is it the masked vigilante who started it all isn’t a household name?

Launching today, Nova’s latest podcast The Phantom Never Dies is hosted by author, screenwriter, and pop culture expert Maria Lewis (pictured), and explores the untold story of the world’s very first superhero.

Over six episodes, Maria will take the audience on a deep dive into the mysteriously forgotten comic book hero, from his origins as the archetype ‘white saviour’ to a character that came to represent duty, morality, and all that was good in humankind.

Maria said, “From undermining the Nazis during World War II to the character’s connection with Indigenous communities globally, The Phantom’s history off the page is just as fascinating as what’s on it.

“Whether it’s through my work as a creator or curator, I’ve always believed pop culture has the power to change the world. With The Phantom Never Dies, we’re able to prove exactly that.

“The geek space can often feel exclusionary for those outside of it and over the course of the series, hopefully, we’re able to bring newcomers – and hardcore Phans – into one of the most interesting, baffling, and (at times) bat-shit insane stories never told.”

The Phantom Never Dies features interviews with Hollywood directors, comic book historians, Oscar-nominated Australian actors famous for playing superheroes and supervillains, family members of original Phantom creators, legendary comic book artists, Hollywood production, and costume designers, and many, many more.

Rachel Corbett, NOVA Entertainment’s Head of Podcasts and Digital Content said, “Superheroes are such a huge part of popular culture but the story of The Phantom and his incredible influence on the modern-day genre is largely unknown.

“We wanted to bring this story to life in podcast form with the fabulous Maria Lewis at the helm.  Maria isn’t just a podcast host, she’s a bona fide super ‘Phan’ with an encyclopedic knowledge of the character’s history, incredible relationships with anyone who’s anyone in the Phantom world, and a Phantom merch collection that says, ‘this is not a phase’.

“Her passion and knowledge, combined with interviews with Phantom experts and people who had a front-row seat to the character’s history, makes for a fascinating journey into the story behind the world’s first superhero.”