Network: First-run syndication
Episodes: 35 (half-hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: September 18, 1994 — March 3, 1996
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Scott Valentine, J. D. Hall, Alan Oppenheimer, Pamela Adlon, Leah Remini, Carrie Snodgress, Margot Kidder, Mark Hamill, Rob Paulsen, Paddi Edwards, Liz Georges, Iona Morris, and Jeff Bennett.
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TV show description:
This animated TV series is based on the classic comic strip hero, The Phantom, by Lee Falk.
In the year 2040, environmental disasters and economic Resource Wars have decimated Earth’s ecological balance. The wealthy continue to thrive while many others must exist on the scavenged streets, using relics from the past for survival.
Kit Walker (Scott Valentine) is an ordinary 18-year-old university student that lives in the futuristic city-state of Metropia (formerly known as New York City). Kit’s life is changed when Gran (J.D. Hall), a mysterious man from Africa, visits the city for the first time since Kit’s father disappeared 16 years earlier. Before he can contact Kit, Guran is hunted by deadly robotic Biots and, in the process, Kit’s Aunt Heloise (Carrie Snodgress) is injured.
As Kit investigates the attack, he discovers an amazing underground Ghost Jungle in the heart of the city. Guran reveals that the young man has a destiny to become the 24th Phantom. It’s an unbroken line that’s been passed down from father to son since Africa in 1566. Because they have all worn a similar disguise, the world believes that the Phantom is a single, immortal individual.
At first, he doesn’t want any part of it but, using the Phantom equipment, he inadvertently stops a riot that threatens the city. He decides that he has no choice but to accept his legacy and begins to learn exactly what he’s been born into.
Kit’s biology professor, Jack Archer (Alan Oppenheimer), deduces Kit’s dual identity and, along with Guran, becomes his trusted mentor. Daniel “Sparks” Aguilar (Pamela Adlon) is a young orphaned cyber-surfer who is unofficially adopted by Kit. Sagan Cruz (Leah Remini) is an Enforcer or policewoman who’s attracted to Kit and is initially unaware of his dual identity.
Rebecca Madison (Margot Kidder) is the chairperson of Maximum Inc, an evil corporation. It’s her plan is to construct Cyberville, a fortress that will protect only the rich when Earth deteriorates — something that her Biot army will soon make a reality. She is the widow of the killer of Kit’s father, the 23rd Phantom. Her sociopath son is Maxwell Madison Jr. (Jeff Bennett), a lazy and disturbed young man who present ideas as coming from his cat, Baudelaire. The corporation’s chief of security is Hubert Graft (Ron Perlman, then Richard Lynch), a cyborg who blames the Phantom for his condition.
Doctor Jak (Mark Hamill), a cynical TV journalist, often criminalizes the Phantom’s heroics. Mr. Cairo (Paul Williams) is a mysterious information broker who deals with both the Phantom and Rebecca Madison. He learns the Phantom’s true identity but, for some reason, withholds the information from Rebecca.
Episode 35 — The Whole Truth
Rebecca and Gorda join forces one last time to launch a full scale assault on the Enforcer Headquarters. Their plan is to gain control of the city’s computer systems and to finally find the Phantom’s secret hideout.
Meanwhile, back in the Phantom’s Lair, the cryogenic suspension tank suddenly fails. The poision has somehow attacked the freezing system and when he’s unable to restore power, Guran announces that the 23rd Phantom doesn’t have long to live. Unable to save his father’s life, the Phantom heads to Maximum Headquarters. He knows that Rebecca downloaded Max Madison Sr’s memories. If the Phantom can do the same with his father, he can preserve his knowledge and memories in The Phantom Chronicles.
At Maximum Inc., the Phantom encounters Max Sr. who agrees to return to the Ghost Jungle with the Phantom and offer his assistance. Max “plugs” into a portable datascreen and downloads the whole truth about the Sector Zero train crash, including Rebecca’s plan to poison the environment and how the 23rd Phantom and Max Sr. were partners trying to save the world.
After the successful download, the Phantom takes Max to see his dying friend, the 23rd Phantom, and his memories are subsequently saved in the Phantom Chronicles. The poison finally claims his father’s life, but not before Kit is able to say good-bye.
In the end, at the request of Max Sr., the Phantom disconnects a battery in Max’s chest and he is once again able to rest in peace. Rebecca goes to prison, Max Jr. ends up in a sanitarium, Graft is sent to a half-way house, and Gorda is shipped back to Australia in a huge crate. Kit flies off into the Metropian skies resolving to go on a long needed vacation until the Phantom is needed again.
First aired: March 3, 1996.
The show has not been revived or remade.
