There were two issues of "The Phantom" lying around my home back when I was a kid. He has to be one of the first heroes I was aware of. I liked jungle heroes and he looked like a cooler version of Tarzan. So I liked what I read.
I wouldn't call him goofy, though. Light-hearted and pulp sure; goofy, not really. I mean, in one of those comics I mentioned, an ancestor of the current Phantom travelled to Sicily because his son had been kidnapped by a Mafia that ruled over the island and was blackmailing his wife. Said Mafia gloated over being untouchable due to keeping the authorities, courts.. in their pockets. It was pretty dark without trying to be edgy for the edginess' sake.
Back on topic, no I don't think DC should buy The Phantom. He'll be relegated to D-Lister status and possible cannon fodder for the next event.
