The Nomad
| The Nomad | |
| |
| Start date: | March 27th, 2011 |
|---|---|
| End date: | September 18th, 2011 |
| # of strips: | 26 pages |
| Writer: | Tony DePaul |
| Artist: | Paul Ryan & Eduardo Barreto |
| Original colorist: | Tom Smith & Andrea Barreto |
| Preceded by: | "The Return of Colonel Weeks" |
| Followed by: | "The Shadows of Rune Noble" |
"The Nomad" is the 174th Phantom Sunday story.
The story was written by Tony DePaul and drawn by Paul Ryan and Eduardo Barreto.
Plot synopsis
While the Phantom goes for the Python in Boomsby Prison, Mr. Eric Sahara is lucky at a roulette table in a casino in Monaco. Eric Sahara is a billionaire and a lone-wolf terrorist known as the Nomad. One of Python's men suddenly approaches the Nomad when he heads back for his room. The man has contacted the Nomad in order to find a new leader since the Python is unable to lead his men from a prison cell. As one follower after another is arrested by the police, the police find out more and more information about the Python.
The Nomad, being careful, tells him that if the Python really is gone forever, he could assume his mantle and eventually also be called "the Great Man", something that the Python's followers constantly call him. When finally being assured that the Phantom has taken the Python out, the Nomad agrees. First however, he instructs the Python's man to get rid of a camera before entering an elevator, then kills the man so that no one will know what he looks.
Later, the Nomad arrives at his secret desert base, where no one knows of his criminal identity of the Nomad, but know him as Mr. Sahara.
The Phantom hears that the Nomad is about to take over the Python's old gang and visits the Python's prison in the Wambesi village to find out all he can about him. The Python is furious at the prospect of having the Nomad taking over his gang, envisioning a power struggle between them. The Python, however, tells the Phantom that no one knows what the Nomad looks like, that the guy seems to have many secret identities, and that it is rumoured that the Nomad even has fought with the Python.
Meanwhile, the Nomad leaves his home and meets with Mr Rune Noble to hire his team of professionals to find The Phantom and get rid of him. Eric Sahara and Rune Noble assemble a team of Bangallan natives, but many decline when they are informed that the objective is the Phantom. One of the volunteers talks about the legend of the ghost who walks.
A last minute volunteer is the Phantom and Rune Noble admits him as a team member.
-Does this happen in this story or in the next part?
They head into the jungle, and as they are heading straight to the Wambesi village where the Python is imprisoned, the Phantom wonders whether the chase for the Phantom is a distraction to actually free the Python, or if they really are after the Phantom. En route, the Phantom decimates the group by surprising two of its members and stripping them of all their gear. Rune Noble then leaves them behind.
Finally they arrive at the Wambesi village and when Rune Noble shows a picture of the Phantom, their intention is finally clear to the Phantom. However, since they think he is a terrorist, Rune Noble assumes that they hate the Phantom and declares that he wants to find and destroy him, asking for their help. The Wambesi immediately turns on them. By secretly revealing himself to the Wambesi as the Phantom through the use of his voice and rings the Phantom manages to calm the situation down and the Shadow team leave in peace without realizing what has actually happened. The Phantom has now got his final proof that they are exactly what they appear to be; a murder squad with the Phantom as their target.
Appearances
Recurring characters
- The current Phantom
- The Python
- Eric Sahara also known as the Nomad
- Rune Noble
- Sgt Xavier Maurice
- Guran
- Hero
- Wambesi Chief
Locations
- Bangalla
- Boomsby Prison
- Deep Woods
- Wambesi Village
- Chatu's Prison
- Rhodia
- Monaco
- USA
- Texas
- Timbuktu
- The Nomad's Desert Sanctuary
- St. Brendan's Hospital
Tribes
Organizations
- Shadow Security
- "The Phantom has a thousand eyes and a thousand ears!"
- "It is terror for an evil man to awake in darkness and see The Phantom!"
Behind the scenes
- The Phantom is called many things by applicants before they decline the job, including: "The Phantom", "Ghost who walks", "Man who cannot die", and "Guardian of the Eastern Dark".
Related stories
Followed by
Behind the scenes
- This story refers to events in the daily strip while they are happening there. It is also a continuation of the plot from "Chatu's Fate".
Reprints
This story has been published in the following publications:
Australia
- Sunday Tasmanian March 27, 2011 – September 18, 2011
- "The Nomad", The Phantom #1620 (2011)
Greece
- "Ο Νομάδας" (romanized as "O Nomadas"), Blek #24 (2022)
India
- Sudha Weekly April 28, 2011 – October 20, 2011
- The Asian Age November 13, 2011 – April 8, 2012
- Deccan Chronicle November 13, 2011 – April 8, 2012
- Anandamela March 5, 2012 – September 5, 2012
- "The Nomad", The Phantom #26 (2022)
Kenya
- Sunday Nation March 27, 2011 – September 18, 2011
El Salvador
- "El Nómada", La Prensa Gráfica July 31, 2011 – January 15, 2012 - without the last week
Norway
- "Nomaden", Fantomet 21-22/2013 (colored by Reprostugan)
South Africa
- Rapport August 14, 2011 – February 5, 2012
Sweden
- "Nomaden", Fantomen 20/2013 (colored by Reprostugan)
Turkey
- "Göçebe", Kızılmaske #42 – #43 (2017)
USA
- The Advocate-Messenger March 27, 2011 – September 18, 2011
- Daytona Beach News-Journal March 27, 2011 – September 18, 2011
- Ledger-Enquirer March 27, 2011 – September 18, 2011
- Reading Eagle March 27, 2011 – September 18, 2011