Phantastique debuted over thirty years ago, in 1985, and is the first "horror comic" aimed at Mature Readers created and published solely by Australians. The original intention behind Phantastique was to present to Australian mainstream readers a specific style of SF, Horror and Fantasy that had at that time not ever been seen on the national newsstands, magazine racks, etc.
Initially, the intention was not to shock and offend, but, for the first time in Australian publishing history, to make the more graphic style of horror more widely available to those readers who preferred their horror fiction and comics to have that kind of impact. This was stated on several different occasions at the time. And it must be said: for every detractor, there were at least ten who loved it.
After much controversy and media attention, the final issue appeared on the newsstand late in 1986. Issues #3 and #4 were banned in QLD, SA and WA.
This celebratory graphic novel resurrects Phantastique and continues the tradition. It features some of Australia's best comicbook artists including: Steve Carter, Antoinette Rydyr, Rod Williams, Pete Correy, Dez Waterman, Dillon Naylor, Ross Tesoriero, Ryan Vella, Glenn Smith, Glenn Lumsden, Jason Paulos and Fred Enroht.
Sample pages can be viewed on Instagram: https: //www.instagram.com/scarstudios/
Carter, Steve: - "Steve Carter created "Phantastique" in 1985. It was Australia's first newsstand available horror comic and the subject of much media controversy. After Phantastique's short life, Steve's next newsstand comic book was the horror and science-fiction comicbook "Charnel House". Steve teamed up with Antoinette Rydyr in the early 1990s. Their art and writing incorporates strong elements of Sci Fi and horror fantasy to surrealism and weird satire. As the creative team known as S.C.A.R. they create in a variety of mediums - prose fiction, illustration, comic books, screenplays and even music. Steve is also the driving force behind experimental electronica bands FistFunk Futurists and TeknoSadisT. A collaboration with Ethan Somerville saw the creation of their steampunk western novel, "Weird Wild West" parts one and two published in 2018 by Bizarro Pulp Press. Their creative works can be viewed at www.weirdwildart.com"
Correy, Pete: - Pete Correy is a graphic designer and illustrator from Melbourne, Australia who writes and produces his own original comics, in the comedy/drama genre. In addition to his regular work producing educational materials he also enjoys recording his own music, photography and other forms of art, including painting and short videos. about.me/petecorrey
Rydyr, Antoinette: - "Antoinette Rydyr has been working with Steve Carter since the early 1990s. Their art and writing incorporates strong elements of Sci Fi and horror fantasy to surrealism and weird satire. As the creative team known as S.C.A.R. They create in a variety of mediums - prose fiction, illustration, comic books and screenplays. Their original screenplay "Curse of the Swampies", a horror sci-fi film, won "Best Feature Film Screenplay" at the A Night of Horror International Film Festival 2010. A collaboration with Ethan Somerville saw the creation of their steampunk western novel, "Weird Wild West" parts one and two published in 2018 by Bizarro Pulp Press. Their creative works can be viewed at www.weirdwildart.com"
