The Crime Apprentices
From PhantomWiki
| The Crime Apprentices | |
| | |
| Start date: | September 19, 2005 |
|---|---|
| End date: | January 14, 2006 |
| # of strips: | 102 (17 weeks) |
| Writer: | Tony De Paul |
| Artist: | Paul Ryan |
| Preceded by: | "Temple of the Gods, Part 2: The Secret Temple on Eden" |
| Followed by: | "The Challenge" |
"The Crime Apprentices" is the 215th Phantom daily story. The story was written by Tony De Paul and drawn by Paul Ryan.
Contents |
Plot Summary
President Luaga makes a surprise visit to Boomsby Prison, where he meets an inmate named Knox who requests to speak with the president in private. Knox had attempted to steal diamonds from a minister, but was stopped by a "masked man" and now has a skull mark to show for it. Knox assumes the president knows who the masked man is, and wants to get in touch with him, but Luaga says that the masked man is just a myth. Nevertheless, the masked man appears in the prison late at night and Knox explains his problem.
The rest of his gang got away with the diamonds the night Knox was arrested. Knox has found out that his teenage children intend to rob his old gang, and fears for their safety. The Phantom travels to New York where the Knox kids live at a boarding school. Despite their young age, they appear to be criminal masterminds already, as the Phantom manages to learn their plan. They plan to follow their father's old gang when they rob diamond traders, and then take the diamonds and make sure the gang gets caught.
When the time comes for the robbery, the Phantom follows the Knox kids, whose plan seems to work until the diamond thieves bring guns into action. The Phantom steps in and eliminates the diamond thieves, one by one. The Knox kids recognize the skull mark, and the Phantom helps them get away from the police and gives them a lecture on right and wrong.
The diamond thieves are caught on the scene, while Knox is given a pardon from president Luaga for his assistance, and can reunite with his children.
Character appearances
Recurring characters
- The 21st Phantom
- Lamanda Luaga
- Boomsby Prison warden
One-time characters
- Chief
- Knox
- Mr. Owens
- Penelope Knox
- Jeff Knox
- Mike
- Mr. Brown
- Al
- Peg
Trivia
- Boomsby Prison is misspelled as "Boomsbay" in the beginning of the story.
Reprints
This story has been published in the following publications:
Australia
- "The Crime Apprentices", The Phantom #1445 (2006)
Brazil
- "Os Aprendizes do Crime", O Fantasma #1 (2007)
Denmark
- Horsens Folkeblad ?, 2011 – June ?, 2011
Finland
- "Jalokivivarkaat", Mustanaamio 3/2008
- Uutispäivä Demari ?, 2008 – ?, 2008
India
- Anandabazar Patrika June 3, 2006 – September 30, 2006
- "The Crime Apprentices", Secret Temple on Eden (2011; excerpt)
- "The Crime Apprentices", The Crime Apprentices (2011)
- "The Crime Apprentices", The Ghost's Justice (2011; excerpt)
- "The Crime Apprentices", Justice for All (2011)
Norway
- Østlendingen October 26, 2006 – February 23, 2007
- Tønsbergs Blad November 13, 2006 – March 14, 2007
- Sandefjords Blad November 17, 2006 – March 17, 2007
- Varden December 5, 2006 – January 3, 2007 (missing the first strip and original strips from October 11 to November 17, 2005 and November 19, 2005 to January 10, 2006 )
- Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen December 29, 2006 – May 4, 2007
- Lofotposten January 5, 2007 – May 8, 2007
- Østlandsposten January 10, 2007 – May 12, 2007
- Nordlys January 20, 2007 – May 19, 2007
- Finnmark Dagblad February 8, 2007 – June 13, 2007
- Romsdals Budstikke February 12, 2007 – June 16, 2007
- "Diamanttyvene", Fantomet 2/2008
- Telen April 27, 2007 – July 28, 2007 and October 8, 2007 – November 3, 2007
- Haugesunds Avis June 16, 2007 – October 9, 2007
- Aftenposten ? – May 10, 2008
Sweden
- "Juveltjuvarna", Fantomen 3/2008
- Smålandsposten April 29, 2009 – ?, 2009
USA
- Bangor Daily News September 19, 2005 – January 14, 2006
- Observer-Reporter September 19, 2005 – January 14, 2006
- Reading Eagle September 19, 2005 – January 14, 2006