Crocco Island West

Crocco Island West
Start date:	December 29th, 2008
End date:	April 25th, 2009
# of strips:	102 (17 weeks)
Writer:	Tony DePaul
Artist:	Paul Ryan
Original colorist:	KFS staff
Preceded by:	"Justice for the Python"
Followed by:	"The Hunt for the Unknown Commander"

"Crocco Island West" is the 225th Phantom daily story. The story was written by Tony DePaul and drawn by Paul Ryan.

Plot synopsis

A trio of poachers intrude on Mori territory. One of them appears to be killed by a Crocco before the other two are arrested by the Mori people.

The Phantom is called in and, with help from Mozz, decides that the Croccos need to be re-located to the Gulf of Mexico. He decides to take his children, Kit and Heloise, along, while Diana is working in New York.

Needing sea transport, the Phantom approaches Captain Savarna, a beautiful uniformed Indian woman who runs an automated freighter by herself. The Croccos are collected and sail off in the bilges of the India Voyager II.

Complications arise when Savarna learns the identity of her passenger and fall in love with him. She changes out of her uniform into an exotic sari and prepares a tempting meal; but then Diana, who is getting suspicious, arrives by helicopter and frustrates Savarna's plans.

Behind the scenes

• This story marks the first appearance of the Crocco creatures in the newspaper strip. They had previously appeared in three Team Fantomen stories, also written by Tony DePaul. The design of the creatures was radically different, however.
• The April 22 strip shows an Earth Day logo.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• The 21st Phantom
• Kit and Heloise
• Diana Palmer-Walker
• Captain Savarna
• Old man Mozz
• Devil
• Hero
• Guran

One-time characters

• Bubbo

Locations

• Bangalla
  • Crocco Island
  • Deep Woods
    • The Skull Cave
      • The Chronicle Room

Tribes

• Mori

Vehicles

• India Voyager II
• Star of Gibraltar

Related stories

Refers to

• "The Mystery of Crocco Island" by Tony DePaul and César Spadari
• "Return of the Crocco Gang" by Tony DePaul and César Spadari
• "The Harbourmaster's Secret" by Tony DePaul and César Spadari

Referenced in

• "The Hunt for the Unknown Commander" by Tony DePaul and Paul Ryan

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• Townsville Bulletin December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009
• The Advertiser February 2, 2009 – May 30, 2009
• The Cairns Post February 18, 2009 – June 17, 2009
• The Courier-Mail May 11, 2010 – September 6, 2010
• "Crocco Island West", The Phantom #1541 (2009)

Colombia

• "Al Oeste de la Isla Crocco", El Colombiano March 14, 2009 – July 9, 2009

Croatia

• "Zapadni otok krokodila", Večernji list March 23, 2009 – July 24, 2009

Finland

• Aamulehti ?, 2010 – ?, 2010
• "Krokojen saarelta länteen", Uutispäivä Demari June 4, 2012 – November 28, 2012
• Åbo Underrättelser November 24, 2017 – April 24, 2018

Germany

• "Insel des Grauens", Phantom #16 (2024)

India

• Anandabazar Patrika September 28, 2009 – January 25, 2010
• "Crocco Island West", The Phantom #21 (2021)

Jamaica

• The Daily Gleaner December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009

Norway

• Bergensavisen ?, 2009 – February 28, 2010
• Nordlys January 27, 2010 – June 2, 2010
• Sandefjords Blad February 20, 2010 – June 29, 2010
• Østlendingen March 11, 2010 – July 16, 2010
• Tønsbergs Blad April 12, 2010 – August 12, 2010
• Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen May 12, 2010 – September 10, 2010
• Østlandsposten June 4, 2010 – September 30, 2010
• Lofotposten June 21, 2010 – October 16, 2010 (published in color since July 8)
• Agderposten June 23, 2010 – October 19, 2010
• Grimstad Adressetidene July 8, 2010 – November 2, 2010
• Romsdals Budstikke July 8, 2010 – November 3, 2010

El Salvador

• La Prensa Gráfica September 16, 2009 – January 15, 2010

Sweden

• Tidningen Ångermanland ? – May 4, 2010
• Örnsköldsviks Allehanda ? – May 4, 2010
• "Crocco Island West!", Svenska Dagbladet March 1, 2010 – June 15, 2010
• "Crocco-migrationen", Fantomen 1/2023

Turkey

• "Crocco Adası'nın Batısı", Kızılmaske #41 (2017)

USA

• Bangor Daily News December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009
• Boston Herald December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009
• The Citizens' Voice December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009
• Delaware County Daily Times December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009
• Houston Chronicle December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009
• The News Item December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009
• Reading Eagle December 29, 2008 – April 25, 2009