A succession of the Phantom identity unfolds amid a dangerous race to assemble the ivory map to the Lost City of Zoloz.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Ivory Map
Professor Davidson prepares an expedition to the Lost City of Zoloz. The city’s location depends on seven ivory pieces, three of which he already possesses.
Key Events
Expedition Planned — Professor Davidson plans an expedition to find the Lost City of Zoloz. Characters: Professor DavidsonLocation: Not specified
Lost City of Zoloz — The lost city is the expedition's central destination.
Location: Lost City of Zoloz
Seven Ivory Pieces — The location of the lost city is contained on seven pieces of ivory. Characters: Professor DavidsonLocation: Not specified
Davidson's Three Pieces — Professor Davidson already possesses three of the seven ivory pieces. Characters: Professor DavidsonLocation: Not specified
A Dangerous Rivalry
A rival wants to transform the lost city into a secret airbase. The Phantom is killed as an obstacle, creating a succession crisis.
Key Events
Airbase Objective — A rival seeks the lost city as a secret airbase for an unnamed country.
Location: Not specified
The Phantom Removed — The rival kills the original Phantom to remove him as an obstacle. Characters: Godfrey Prescott / The PhantomLocation: Not specified
Prescott Returns — The recently returned Prescott son enters the succession of the Phantom identity. Characters: Godfrey Prescott / The PhantomLocation: Not specified
The Mantle Returns
The recently returned Prescott son inherits the Phantom identity. The new Phantom becomes connected to the continuing struggle over the ivory pieces.
Key Events
Mantle Inherited — Godfrey Prescott inherits the family identity and takes over the Phantom mantle. Characters: Godfrey Prescott / The PhantomLocation: Not specified
Davidson's Pieces Stolen — A thief steals the three ivory pieces previously held by Professor Davidson. Characters: Professor DavidsonLocation: Not specified
Three More Pieces — Three of the remaining pieces are held by an outside owner.
Location: Not specified
Missing Seventh Piece — The seventh and most important ivory piece is initially missing.
Location: Not specified
The Final Ivory Piece
Davidson’s pieces are stolen, while the seventh and most important piece is found in another holder’s possession. The Phantom fights to recover it.
Key Events
Piece Found in Possession — The missing seventh piece is discovered in the possession of an outside holder.
Location: Not specified
Gorilla Wrestling Contest — The Phantom wrestles a holder's pet gorilla to obtain the seventh ivory piece. Characters: Godfrey Prescott / The PhantomLocation: Not specified
Map Recovery — The recovered pieces restore the central route toward the Lost City of Zoloz. Characters: Godfrey Prescott / The Phantom, Professor DavidsonLocation: Not specified
Story Breakdown
Lost City Premise — The expedition is driven by the search for the Lost City of Zoloz.
Zoloz Destination — The lost city is the central destination of the planned expedition.
Expedition Objective — Professor Davidson plans an expedition to locate the city.
Ivory Map Pieces — Seven ivory pieces contain the location of the lost city.
Davidson Holds Three — Professor Davidson begins with three of the seven pieces.
Seventh Piece Missing — The most important piece is initially absent from the known collection.
Secret Airbase Scheme — A rival seeks to use the lost city for a military purpose.
Unnamed Country — The intended airbase is meant for an unnamed country.
Obstacle Removed — The original Phantom is killed because he obstructs the rival’s objective.
Phantom Succession — The Phantom identity continues through a returning Prescott heir.
Prescott Returns — The recently returned Prescott son becomes central after the original Phantom’s death.
Mantle Inherited — Godfrey Prescott takes over the Phantom mantle.
Competing Piece Holders — The ivory pieces are divided among several holders and become objects of theft and pursuit.
Davidson's Pieces Stolen — The three pieces held by Davidson are stolen.
Three Pieces Elsewhere — Three additional pieces are held by another outside owner.
Final Piece Recovery — The Phantom pursues the missing seventh piece and obtains it through physical combat.
Piece Found — The seventh piece turns up in another holder’s possession.
Gorilla Struggle — The Phantom wrestles the holder’s pet gorilla to acquire the piece.
Two expeditions are trying to reach the Lost City of Zoloz -- one headed by Professor Davidson, a scientist who wants to establish an archaeological site, and the other by a greedy treasure hunter who wants to keep the fabled treasures of the city for himself. An agent of a foreign power also wants to establish a secret airbase there, so he stirs up the natives against The Phantom, who has been able to get them to stay peaceful so far. When The Phantom is murdered, his son takes his place and sets out to restore peace to the jungle and stop the agents' and the treasure hunters' nefarious plans.