The Phantom’s Good Mark

Who can think of The Phantom today without picturing his two rings? For readers who joined in the ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s, the rings were a given — but seasoned readers know the story behind them is richer.

The Skull Ring was part of the mythology from the very beginning. But the Good Mark? We didn’t actually see it in the strip in the earliest years, yet it existed too — Lee Falk just hadn’t told us about it yet. Over time the mark was introduced, first in the daily strips and a little later in a Sunday story, both in 1958. As with the Skull Ring, Falk never explained the origin in detail — and although other writers have offered good explanations, nothing definitive came from Lee Falk himself.

Two first appearances in 1958:
• D070 – Carlyle’s Good Mark (daily), May 5, 1958 – August 23, 1958 — script: Lee Falk, art: Wilson McCoy.
• S052 – Conley’s Good Mark (Sunday), December 28, 1958 – June 14, 1959 — script: Lee Falk, art: Wilson McCoy.

Background and later interpretation

The Good Mark is one of the most recognizable symbols in The Phantom myth — a sign that marks friendship, respect, and protection from The Phantom. Those who bear the mark can always count on his help, and it stands as a clear counterweight to the Evil Mark, which inspires fear among crooks and enemies.

First appearance

The symbol was first introduced in 1958 in the daily story D070 – Carlyle’s Good Mark, which ran from May 5 to August 23, 1958 (script: Lee Falk, art: Wilson McCoy).

Wilson McCoy “introduced” the ring with the Good Mark in 1958, and Falk used it here and there in the few years before McCoy passed away. But shortly after Barry took over, the use of the “Good Mark” picked up pace.

Later interpretations

Later, various writers and publishers expanded the Good Mark’s history. In an Egmont production (written and published in Sweden, Norway, and Australia), the origin of the Good Mark was tied to the 6th Phantom. This version was first presented to Norwegian readers in “The Messengers of Evil”, printed in Fantomet no. 20 (1984).

Fantomet no. 20 (1984) — “The Messengers of Evil”

Meaning

The Good Mark expresses The Phantom’s ideals: justice, loyalty, and friendship. For readers it has become a symbol that heroism isn’t just about fighting evil — it’s also about rewarding goodness.

Symbolism

In the origin tale for the Good Mark in “The Messengers of Evil,” the 6th Phantom receives the mark from a grateful prince. The mark is said to show four swords laid with their points toward each other, representing the four members of the Jungle Patrol who rescued the prince and others from a branch of the Singh Pirates. As noted, this is an interpretation by a writer other than Lee Falk — but the story is none the worse for it.

Use and significance of the Mark

The Mark carries both reassurance and a touch of superstition. Jungle folk are convinced it has great magical power. In the early McCoy stories, those who bore the Mark could not be touched, even if they did wrong. Later, Falk emphasized that the Mark grants broad protection around the world. And it’s not wise to remove it — as told in D089 — The Adventures of Lucy Cary (6-29-64 to 12-12-64), where Dr. Cary removed the Mark in anger, and the hospital was struck by lightning. Magic or coincidence? Who knows!

Dr. Cary removed the Mark, with fatal consequences.

First Sunday pages

The following five pages from the Sunday version are colored by Ivan Pedersen, with custom colors in a style not unlike the classic look.

S052 – Conley’s Good Mark (Sunday): December 28, 1958 – June 14, 1959
Script: Lee Falk • Art: Wilson McCoy • Colors: Ivan Pedersen