The Ambassador

The Ambassador
Produced for:	Fantomen 2/1980
# of pgs:	32
Writer:	Jaime Vallvé & Ulf Granberg
Artist:	Jaime Vallvé
Original colorist:	N/A
Producer:	Semic

"The Ambassador" is a 1980 Team Fantomen story, written by Ulf Granberg based on a plot by Jaime Vallvé, with art by Jaime Vallvé.

Plot summary

Rex' and Tom-Tom's physics lesson becomes an opportunity to tell the story of how the 12th Phantom met the United States founding father Benjamin Franklin in 1776. After visiting Walker's Table, the Phantom arrives in Philadelphia, seeking passage on a ship across the Atlantic. The British has a blockade but the Phantom sneaks aboard the ship Maryland who will leave at night. Also on the ship is the newly elected US embassador to France, Benjamin Franklin.

While at sea, an attempt is made on Franklin's life but he is saved by the Phantom. Franklin and the Phantom become good friends, discussing natural science and playing chess during the passage. As they arrive in Europe the ship is attacked by the British navy but the ship is saved when the French navy rescue them. They spend some time at the French court at Versaille together.

One night Franklin is kidnapped and the Phantom suspects British agents. He concludes that the kidnappers most likely will try to take Franklin to England and rides to Calais. A small boat takes him across the Channel where he learns that Franklin may have been taken to Grinder castle east of Dover. At the castle he finds Franklin locked in a cell. Using a kite he makes the lightning strike down and remove the bars in the cell window.

Returning to Dover, they hide in whiskey barrels that are exported to France.

Appearances

Recurring Characters

• The 21st Phantom
• The 12th Phantom
• Rex
• Tom-Tom
• Miss Tagama

One-time Characters

• Lieutenant Cardy
• Jacques
• The earl of Upminster

Real-life characters

• Benjamin Franklin
• Louis XVI of France

Locations

• Bengali
  • Deep Woods
    • The Skull Cave
• USA
  • New Mexico
    • Walker's Table
  • Pennsylvania
    • Philadelphia
• France
  • Versaille
  • Calais
• England
  • Dover

Related stories

Followed by

• "The Highway Robbers" by Claes Reimerthi and Janusz Ordon.

Behind the scenes

• Benjamin Franklin was sent to France as ambassador in December 1776.

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• "The Ambassador", The Phantom #1398 (2004)

Denmark

• "Ambassadøren", Fantomet #168 (1981)
• "Ambassadøren", Fantomet Krønike #1 (1994)

Finland

• "Suurlähettiläs", Mustanaamio 8/1980

Norway

• "Ambassadøren", Fantomet 11/1980
• "Ambassadøren", Fantomets Krønike 1/1991
• "Ambassadøren", Krønikebok #12 (2003)
• "Ambassadøren", Fantomet Gullalderen #8 (2012)

Spain

• "El embajador", El Hombre Enmascarado #33 (1981)

Sweden

• "Ambassadören", Fantomen 2/1980
• "Ambassadören", Fantomen Krönika 3/1996
• "Ambassadören", Fantomen Krönika Band 4 (2002)

West Germany

• "Der unheimliche Passagier", Phantom #169 (1980)
• "Der unheimliche Passagier", Phantom Super-band #41