Number 1814: Phantom monkey-wrenches Ape and his gorillas

We are all adults here, I assume. This Phantom story, originally published in newspapers in 1954-55, was titled “Aboard the S.S. Gay.” If you are smirking then shame on you.

Modern usage of a word aside, this is the story of a gangster’s deportation, but no country will accept him. So he takes over the cruise ship. He and his gang are able to take the ship, but keeping it is another problem when the Phantom sneaks aboard and starts messing up their plans. Hence the title, “Hoodoo of the Pirate Ship.” Fighting pirates is the Phantom’s original purpose, from 400 years ago when his ancestor was attacked by pirates and vowed to get back at them. It is a long time to hold a grudge, but those men who became the Phantom, one after another for centuries, are devoted to their purpose.

The story was reprinted in Harvey Hits #44 (1961), written by Lee Falk and drawn by Wilson McCoy. I wonder why their names are deliberately left off the reprint. Were Falk and McCoy paid for reprints? Or was it a form of piracy on the part of the syndicate to get money without sharing it with the character’s creator? I don’t know, but if that was the case someone might have deserved the imprint of the Phantom’s ring on their jaw.

Posted in: Pappy Comics