The Phantom #[2] - Little Toma: 9/20/1937 to 2/5/1938

([1999])

[Little Toma] (Table of Contents: 1)

The Phantom / comic story / 40 pages (report information)

Script

Lee Falk

Pencils

Ray Moore

Inks

Ray Moore

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

A remote jungle tribe prepares for the annual visit of The Phantom!

Genre

adventure; jungle

Characters

The Phantom [Kit Walker]; Tommy; Stella; Fred; Tai Low; Inspector Fogg; Lord Revel; Enid

Synopsis

The Phantom discovers that one of the native children, Toma, is actually a Western boy. He finds out that Toma is the only son of a deceased English missionary, who had been killed when he was travelling home to claim his rightful title as Lord Revel. The missionary's brother, who is now Lord Revel, seems to be behind the conspiracy. Lord Revel tries to conceal the crime but finally feels that he cannot kill an innocent boy.

The ex-Lord is turned over to the police, most likely to be hanged, while his unknowing daughter Enid is left with the task of taking care of the little boy.

Reprints

• from The Phantom daily (King Features Syndicate) 1937-09-20 - 1938-02-05

Keywords

Aden; Bengal; Cabin 14; Calcutta; England; Frasertown; Great Skull; India; Indian Ocean; Limehouse; London; Pennyfield; Revel Manor; S.S. Bradley K; Scotland Yard; Tylani River; Upper Tylani

Indexer Notes

"Little Toma" (also known as "Toma" and as "Little Tommy") is the fourth Phantom daily story. For the first time the Phantom's home is said to be in Bengal, India. Previously it was said to be located on Luntok, an island between Sumatra and Jakarta. This is the first time the Phantom is seen traveling in Cabin 14, and the first time he is seen in his traditional coat, hat and glasses – later to be known as his "Mr. Walker" outfit. This marks the first story where neither Diana, Guran, the Bandar nor Melville Horton appear. It is stated that the witch doctors of the jungle are informed that the Phantom isn't immortal, and that they assist him on his village visits. This story has often been reprinted with the title "Little Tommy". However, the actual title "Little Toma" appears in the last daily strip of the preceding story.

Reprinted three strips per page.