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The Story of the Phantom #1
The Story of the Phantom
The origin of the current Phantom, growing up, going to school, then finally becoming the Phantom on the death of his father.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1972
23 people are currently reading
584 people want to read
About the author
Lee Falk
1,665 books68 followersLee Falk, born Leon Harrison Gross (April 28, 1911 - March 13, 1999), was an American writer, theater director and producer, best known as the creator of the popular comic strips The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician. At the height of their popularity, these strips attracted over 100 million readers every day. Falk also wrote short stories, and he contributed to a series of pulp novels about The Phantom
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 5, 2021
This is the first book in Avon's series of prose adventure novels based on characters and storylines from Falk's long-running newspaper comic strip. This one, the origin story, is essentially a slightly-updated retelling of the Dale Robertson novel The Son of the Phantom that Whitman published in 1946. It captures the spirit of the strip quite well, and adds depth to the characters and setting.
April 24, 2015
Read this as a teen in the 1970s and liked it. Read it as a 54 year old and loved it. Can't wait to read it to my grandchildren which means my children need to get busy!
December 3, 2022
After a slightly slow and exposition heavy first half, this transforms into a really enjoyable youthful adventure story with an enticing cliffhanger ending.
January 23, 2016
The Phantom is The Ghost Who Walks, The Man Who Cannot Die, ruler of the hidden jungle. For 15 generations father to son men have been the Phantom, fighting piracy and evil all over the world. Excellent series, highly recommended
May 13, 2021
Love the old Phantom stories. Long live Kit. Onto more adventures!
February 9, 2014
It is a little embarrassing to admit I like this book as much as I do, for it is an odd book in virtually every way, so odd that it should not work at all. The seventies saw many oddities in paperback publishing, including series based on no-longer popular comic strips and still popular comic books. The Phantom series lasted 15 books by a few different authors, most (all?) based on stories that had appeared in the comic strip created by Lee Falk in 1936. This one, the first, introduces the character to new readers and was written by Falk.
Falk had long been a quirky writer in his comic strip, introducing character elements that make little sense, repeating himself frequently, introducing absurdities in the character’s legend and persona, and favoring incomplete sentences for captions, such as, “For – Ghost who walks.” To go in reverse order, one might think that anybody with such a minimalist prose style would be terrible at writing a novel, but while prone to incomplete sentences, especially later in the book, Falk’s style is so utterly readable that his prose gives pleasure.
Falk does repeat himself frequently, but that is what the paperback series is really about. Those books not written by Falk proclaim on their covers that they are based on one of his comic strip stories. This book, written by Falk, begins by introducing the character and his legend, then segues into the bizarre structure for a novelization, used in THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS and THE CANTERBERRY TALES, of presenting a series of short stories within a narrative frame, here the Twentieth Phantom’s twelve year old son, Kit, learning of his heritage and his ancestors, some of whose tales are retold. Two-thirds of the way in, that structure turns to the episodic adventures of Kit’s education in America, its episodic quality reading more like short stories than a novel.
Some of the absurdities in the character’s jungle setting and the legend of the Phantoms that Falk had built up over more than 35 years of comic strip stories are addressed, as Falk tries to give credible explanations for the incredible problems, rather than changing or ignoring them. He does a pretty good job, really, which will probably please his fans who are slightly bothered by the absurdities, for they can now justify them. The rest of us may think that Falk has done as well as can be done with them, but the need to justify absurdities itself shows that there is a problem.
The character elements still make little sense. Nobody in twenty-one generations of Phantoms breaks with traditions, acts selfishly, neglects to keep the written record of his adventures or prepare his own tomb? Nobody takes off or much alters that stupid lavender costume and black mask with the underwear on the outside? Really?
It was my assumption going in that this book would be for fans, only. Credit Lee Falk that he had it in him to write a book, no matter how strange in narrative structure and Phantom lore, that is so eminently readable and even enjoyable.
Falk had long been a quirky writer in his comic strip, introducing character elements that make little sense, repeating himself frequently, introducing absurdities in the character’s legend and persona, and favoring incomplete sentences for captions, such as, “For – Ghost who walks.” To go in reverse order, one might think that anybody with such a minimalist prose style would be terrible at writing a novel, but while prone to incomplete sentences, especially later in the book, Falk’s style is so utterly readable that his prose gives pleasure.
Falk does repeat himself frequently, but that is what the paperback series is really about. Those books not written by Falk proclaim on their covers that they are based on one of his comic strip stories. This book, written by Falk, begins by introducing the character and his legend, then segues into the bizarre structure for a novelization, used in THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS and THE CANTERBERRY TALES, of presenting a series of short stories within a narrative frame, here the Twentieth Phantom’s twelve year old son, Kit, learning of his heritage and his ancestors, some of whose tales are retold. Two-thirds of the way in, that structure turns to the episodic adventures of Kit’s education in America, its episodic quality reading more like short stories than a novel.
Some of the absurdities in the character’s jungle setting and the legend of the Phantoms that Falk had built up over more than 35 years of comic strip stories are addressed, as Falk tries to give credible explanations for the incredible problems, rather than changing or ignoring them. He does a pretty good job, really, which will probably please his fans who are slightly bothered by the absurdities, for they can now justify them. The rest of us may think that Falk has done as well as can be done with them, but the need to justify absurdities itself shows that there is a problem.
The character elements still make little sense. Nobody in twenty-one generations of Phantoms breaks with traditions, acts selfishly, neglects to keep the written record of his adventures or prepare his own tomb? Nobody takes off or much alters that stupid lavender costume and black mask with the underwear on the outside? Really?
It was my assumption going in that this book would be for fans, only. Credit Lee Falk that he had it in him to write a book, no matter how strange in narrative structure and Phantom lore, that is so eminently readable and even enjoyable.
February 14, 2022
This first one of this series is more like a reference guide than a story. This is all the background information anyone would need about the Phantom. And for that it is good, as for an actual story there is not much there.
someday-comics
June 24, 2016I have read plenty of Phantom comics during my childhood. However, I don't remember the comic book titles. I want to get hold of these old comics someday and just reread them.
January 25, 2023
The book form of the comic strip. It goes through the upbringing of the current '21st' phantom. The book sketches training the 21st Kip receives to make him The Phantom. His first 12 years in the jungle and in the Skull cave provide the grounding for his physical development and the history of the other Phantoms. There's some tales of past Phantom exploits to bring in some action, usually only lasting 1 chapter.
On his twelfth birthday he is sent to America to live with his aunt and uncle and there receive a more formal education. The book then goes through his exploits at school to become accepted and then his rise to fame as an athlete up to his college career. Finally it covers his call to home and assumption of the mantle of The Phantom.
On his twelfth birthday he is sent to America to live with his aunt and uncle and there receive a more formal education. The book then goes through his exploits at school to become accepted and then his rise to fame as an athlete up to his college career. Finally it covers his call to home and assumption of the mantle of The Phantom.
June 5, 2017
As a fan of the Phantom comic strip for the past several years, I really enjoyed reading this origin story. It starts with some history of the Phantom line, tells of the "current" Phantom's parents getting together, then describes his childhood in Bangalla, his schooling in the USA, and his having to hustle back to Bangalla to take over the reins as the 21st Phantom. After reading it, I felt like I had read the authorized biography of a historical hero. The book has too many typos and proofreading failures, but the binding is sturdy.
October 26, 2017
First in this series of printed tales of the Phantom sets out more of the history of the Ghost Who Walks and the youth of the 20th Phantom who was the prime subject of the comics, daily and Sunday comic page and other related books. Sets the tone for the rest in this series.
February 4, 2021
I read a Phantom book years ago, and I really enjoyed this a lot. It told of the origin of this Phantom and all the Phantoms before, and it was very well written. Now I know why the price has gone up on this series.
March 22, 2018
This first book in the series sets you up to read the next one, but I’m not too sure I will.
December 23, 2018
I enjoyed this back when I first read it back in the 1970s and I enjoyed rereading it again after all this time
June 6, 2020
Fun to re read the Phantom and re live the childhood memories
July 6, 2021
Love old pulpy stuff
August 1, 2022
Está chévere. Es un libro entretenido. Ligero, sencillo. Sin muchas pretensiones. Todo un Gary Stu el protagonista jajaja, pero normal.
December 3, 2023
Origin story.
March 29, 2014
I'll start off by saying this book is pulpy, old-school fun with a larger than life hero and exotic locales.If you're a Phan, it's strongly recommended. If not, you might become one after reading this!
I, for one, loved it. I bought eight of this series just a week ago and I already want the rest! Sadly, since these are paperbacks from the early 1970's, they're kind of pricy, but I've got more than half of them, so I'll just have to save up and finish the set!
Okay, so here's my spoiler-free review, with a bit of explanation as to who the Phantom is and why you should care...
While Lee Falk's the Phantom is not terribly popular today (although outside of the US, he's still fairly well-known), there was a time when he was one of the more famous costumed characters.
Notice I didn't say 'superhero' - that's because the Phantom was already thrilling audiences a full two years before the debut of Superman, the "first" comic superhero.
But in fact, the elements are there: skintight suit, cool character name, symbol, base of operations in a cave. In fact, Lee Falk is the first to do that whole 'blank white eyes in a mask' look that has been copied ever since.
To be fair, the Phantom owes more to pulp magazines than anything else. Part Tarzan, part The Shadow, the Phantom is a seemingly immortal crusader for justice who has ruled the jungle for four hundred years. Although, my favorite little odd Phantom quirk is that the Skull Ring - his ring has sharp edges and is soaked in an inklike substance made from berries, so whoever is punched by the Phantom has a permanent skull mark tattooed on their faces! Bet that's hard to explain to people! Kinda cheesy, but I dig it. When that fails, the Ghost Who Walks has guns. And while the Phantom doesn't kill unless he has to, he will not hesitate to do so in order to save others - or himself.
Today, he's probably best known from the 'Defenders of the Earth' cartoon or the 1996 movie starring Billy Zane - or, gods help us, the abominable Syfy Channel update. Which is a shame, because this character is really fascinating and has a unique origin that makes for great storytelling opportunities: a Phantom story can be set pretty much anytime from the 16th Century to now, as well as any location throughout the world. And unlike the cartoons or movies, the Phantom comics (and novels) are set in a real world environment, without magic or superpowers. Like I said, he's SEEMINGLY immortal...
Okay, but what about these books?
Now, Falk himself wrote this first in a series of 15 novels which adapted the popular Phantom newspaper comics into prose form, so it's a VERY faithful adaptation of the character and stories. While Falk only wrote a few of the novels himself, other books were still based on his stories - but frankly, they're not as good as the ones by the man himself! He'd been writing the Phantom for 36 years by this poin, after all, and continued to write the comic strip until his death in 1999! Falk immerses the reader in the semi-mythical world of the Ghost Who Walks immediately and manages to keep things interesting while giving a great deal of back story.
In fact, the only downside for some readers might be that back story is all we get in the first book: this is the origin story of Kit Walker, the 21st Phantom. It sets up everything you need to know about the characters, the settings, the history and the concept, then ends with Walker putting on the iconic purple(?) tights and carrying on the Phantom's legacy. And that's it. Nothing much actually happens in terms of action and adventure.
I, for one, loved it. I bought eight of this series just a week ago and I already want the rest! Sadly, since these are paperbacks from the early 1970's, they're kind of pricy, but I've got more than half of them, so I'll just have to save up and finish the set!
Okay, so here's my spoiler-free review, with a bit of explanation as to who the Phantom is and why you should care...
While Lee Falk's the Phantom is not terribly popular today (although outside of the US, he's still fairly well-known), there was a time when he was one of the more famous costumed characters.
Notice I didn't say 'superhero' - that's because the Phantom was already thrilling audiences a full two years before the debut of Superman, the "first" comic superhero.
But in fact, the elements are there: skintight suit, cool character name, symbol, base of operations in a cave. In fact, Lee Falk is the first to do that whole 'blank white eyes in a mask' look that has been copied ever since.
To be fair, the Phantom owes more to pulp magazines than anything else. Part Tarzan, part The Shadow, the Phantom is a seemingly immortal crusader for justice who has ruled the jungle for four hundred years. Although, my favorite little odd Phantom quirk is that the Skull Ring - his ring has sharp edges and is soaked in an inklike substance made from berries, so whoever is punched by the Phantom has a permanent skull mark tattooed on their faces! Bet that's hard to explain to people! Kinda cheesy, but I dig it. When that fails, the Ghost Who Walks has guns. And while the Phantom doesn't kill unless he has to, he will not hesitate to do so in order to save others - or himself.
Today, he's probably best known from the 'Defenders of the Earth' cartoon or the 1996 movie starring Billy Zane - or, gods help us, the abominable Syfy Channel update. Which is a shame, because this character is really fascinating and has a unique origin that makes for great storytelling opportunities: a Phantom story can be set pretty much anytime from the 16th Century to now, as well as any location throughout the world. And unlike the cartoons or movies, the Phantom comics (and novels) are set in a real world environment, without magic or superpowers. Like I said, he's SEEMINGLY immortal...
Okay, but what about these books?
Now, Falk himself wrote this first in a series of 15 novels which adapted the popular Phantom newspaper comics into prose form, so it's a VERY faithful adaptation of the character and stories. While Falk only wrote a few of the novels himself, other books were still based on his stories - but frankly, they're not as good as the ones by the man himself! He'd been writing the Phantom for 36 years by this poin, after all, and continued to write the comic strip until his death in 1999! Falk immerses the reader in the semi-mythical world of the Ghost Who Walks immediately and manages to keep things interesting while giving a great deal of back story.
In fact, the only downside for some readers might be that back story is all we get in the first book: this is the origin story of Kit Walker, the 21st Phantom. It sets up everything you need to know about the characters, the settings, the history and the concept, then ends with Walker putting on the iconic purple(?) tights and carrying on the Phantom's legacy. And that's it. Nothing much actually happens in terms of action and adventure.
February 9, 2017
Excellent telling of the comic strip hero's origin. Fun ride.
November 2, 2020
Babamın Western çizgi romanları arasında Zagor, Bonanza ve Red Kit ile birlikte yer alıyordu. Zagor'dan sonra en sevdiğim çizgi roman sanırım buydu. Kahramanın ilginçliği bundaki en büyük etkendi. Kurgusu basit, maceraları günümüze kıyasla yetersiz olsa da mizah anlayışıyla birlikte zamanında keyifli vakitler geçirmeme yardımcı olmuştu.
Kızılmaske adıyla Kit Walker, Bengal Ormanlarında yerini kimsenin bilmediği kafatası mağarasında, zenginlik içinde tahtının üstünde ananas yiyerek zaman geçiren, suçluların korkulu rüyası olan bir kahramandır. Kızılmaske 400 yıldır oradadır, bu maske babadan oğula geçen bir gelenektir ailede. Bu sebeple ölümsüz ruh diye anılır.
Kızılmaske adıyla Kit Walker, Bengal Ormanlarında yerini kimsenin bilmediği kafatası mağarasında, zenginlik içinde tahtının üstünde ananas yiyerek zaman geçiren, suçluların korkulu rüyası olan bir kahramandır. Kızılmaske 400 yıldır oradadır, bu maske babadan oğula geçen bir gelenektir ailede. Bu sebeple ölümsüz ruh diye anılır.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2009
based on the comic strip character. Ghost written I believe. Decent.
Want to read
February 6, 2014god fantasy
April 5, 2016
I've never read the comic strip, but I can understand the appeal of the character from Falk's novel. I'll be spending more time with the Phantom.
November 27, 2025
Good book. But not really what I wanted from a Phantom novel.
Update. I liked it even less the second reading. More boring than I remembered.
Update. I liked it even less the second reading. More boring than I remembered.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews