MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE ART

For more than three decades, Sy Barry brought The Phantom to life for generations of readers
around the world.

From 1961 to 1994, his distinctive realism, dramatic storytelling, atmosphere and elegance helped define
the look of one of the world’s most enduring comic-strip heroes.

But behind those thousands of panels is another story—the story of the artist himself: the challenges
and triumphs of a remarkable career, the relationships and experiences that shaped it, and the
sheer joy Sy found in his artistry and in bringing The Phantom to life.

SY BARRY: THE GHOST WHO DRAWS is a richly illustrated celebration of Sy’s life and more than 70-
year career in comics, created with Sy’s active participation and built from years of sharing memories,
artwork, photographs and stories with his son David. More recently, Sy has participated in interviews and
podcasts, sharing his firsthand recollections and helping the team fact-check the history and
preserve the stories behind the extraordinary body of work he created.

This book is our opportunity to share the man behind the art with the generations of readers who
have kept his work alive.

A MESSAGE FROM SY

THE BOOK

The book is more than a retrospective. It brings together Sy’s extraordinary artwork with the stories
behind it—offering readers a rare look at his creative process, the evolution of his artistry, and the
remarkable career that produced some of The Phantom’s most detailed and expressive imagery.

Sy’s artistic journey is only part of the story. The book also offers a window into his personal
life—from the experiences that shaped his early years to the relationships, opportunities and challenges
that followed him through a remarkable career. Woven together, these personal and professional stories
reveal how the life of Sy Barry and the artist he became evolved side by side.

Richly illustrated throughout, the book will pair Sy’s story with original artwork, rare and
previously unpublished pieces, photographs and archival material—allowing readers to
experience his life and career through both the stories and the images that document his
remarkable journey.

A MESSAGE FROM DAVID

For years, I have wanted to tell the story of my Dad’s life. Long before The Ghost Who Draws
became the book we’re creating today, I began collecting his stories and talking with him about his life,
his career and the experiences behind the artwork. More recently, I’ve spent months talking with my Dad
and with fans, friends and others who have known him and his work. What I had originally imagined as a
memoir gradually began to evolve into something much bigger.

What began as my desire to preserve my father’s memories has grown into a celebration of everything he has accomplished. For me, this book is deeply personal—a chance to preserve and share the life and
work of an artist admired around the world, and of the person I have always known simply as my Dad.

CREATING THE BOOK
 
Bringing The Ghost Who Draws together is a collaborative effort. David Barry is leading the project
and working closely with Sy, while writer and editor Blake Atwood, whose editorial work includes
James Clear’s bestselling Atomic Habits, is helping shape the years of collected material into the
manuscript. Melinda Martin of Martin Publishing Studio is overseeing the book’s design and
production, bringing the words, artwork and archival material together into the finished volume.

WHERE YOUR PLEDGE GOES

Your pledge directly supports the work required to produce the book. Campaign funds will help
cover editing, book design, preparation and restoration of artwork and photographs, licensing, printing,
packaging, international freight and fulfillment—each an essential part of transforming years of collected
material into the finished book.

RISKS AND CHALLENGES

Producing a book of this scope involves coordinating artwork, permissions, design, printing and
international production. The team is working through the necessary licensing arrangements for
copyrighted material, including images from King Features, DC Comics and Marvel, as the artwork
planned for the book is finalized. As with any highly illustrated publication, production schedules may
be affected by approvals, printing or international freight, but we are committed to keeping backers
informed throughout the process.

Shipping will be charged separately after the campaign through BackerKit’s pledge management process. Final shipping costs will be based on the destination and package requirements and will be communicated to backers before fulfillment.