Dangerous Vacation
| Dangerous Vacation | |
| |
| Produced for: | Fantomen 4/1978 |
|---|---|
| # of pgs: | 32 |
| Writer: | Ulf Granberg |
| Artist: | Jaime Vallvé |
| Original colorist: | N/A |
| Producer: | Semic Press |
"Dangerous Vacation" is a 1978 Team Fantomen story, written by Ulf Granberg, with art by Jaime Vallvé.
Plot synopsis
The Phantom return to the Skull Cave after a short time away. He is met by Rex and Tom-Tom and ask if they have been good students. Miss Tagama tell him that they have been quite good. The Phantom ask her if they deserve a reward and miss Tagama suggest one week off since they have just finished studying the history, geography and society of Europe. The Phantom tell the boys that coincidentally he just happens to have three flight tickets to Zurich, Switzerland, and rooms booked at Hotel Jägerwirth in Aargau.
A few days later the boys and miss Tagama fly to Switzerland and go by train from Zurich to Aargau. The next morning they visit the ski slope and try downhill skiing for the first time, mostly making fools of themselves. In the slope they meet a girl the same age, Desiree Lancken. They quickly become friends and spend a few days together enjoying various outdoor activites. Desiree has been sent on vacation on her own by her father, the councillor who has remained in Bern investigating bribery in a recent weapons affair.
One morning Desiree does not show up and Rex and Tomtom go back to the to check on her. The concierge claims that she left the same morning. After they boys have left the concierge call his friend Arb that two boys have asked for the girl and that the girl in the hotel basement. For no particular reason the boys go down to the hotel basement and find first Desiree's skis, then Desiree herself tied up in the boiler room. Arb is pointing a gun at them. All four of them go by car to the cable car station (aerial tramway) where a third man has closed it down for repairs. With the cable car they go up to the top of the mountain where they are met by a fourth man with a rifle. Arb tell Desiree that she will not be released until her father the coucillor has agreed not to reveal that a recent weapons contract was won using bribery.
The next morning miss Tagama alerts the Phantom through a telegram that the boys have gone missing. The Phantom leave immediately for Switzerland and arrive to the boys' hotel in the evening. The concierge quickly alerts his friends that a large man has arrived to the hotel, asking for the boys. The Phantom first investigate the girl's hotel room, finding her luggage and tickets still remaininng. Suddenly the concierge come to the room, intending to take away the luggage. The Phantom quickly disarms him and listen to the concierge making a full confession, including that the children are being kept hostage at the top terminal of the aerial tramway.
The Phantom gets himself a pair of skis. As he leaves the hotel on ski he is spotted by a helicopter with two men. One of the men has a large rifle and start shooting at him. Missing the Phantom, a hand grenade is thrown from the helicopter. The explosions starts an avalanche that the Phantom just barely can get away from. The Phantom arrive to the mountain terminal of the aerial tramway, where Arb is keeping the three children hostage. Arb threatens to shoot Desiree and the Phantom reluctantly must let go of his own pistols. Arb take the three children with him to the cable car and start the ride down.
The Phantom alerts the local police who send a helicopter to the top terminal to pick up the Phantom. From the helicopter the Phantom climb down to the roof of the cable car. He crashes through the glass window, gives Arb a punch in the face with the skull ring. When the cable car comes back down to the valley, the children are met by the police - the Phantom has jumped out of the cable car before arriving to the terminal. The police arrest the concierge at the hotel.
The Phantom and the children spend the remaining two days enjoying various winter sports.
Appearances
Recurring characters
One-time characters
- Desiree Lancken
- Concierge
- Arb
- Gang member at the valley terminal
- Gang member at the mountain terminal
- Gang member flying the helicopter
- Gang member shooting from the helicopter
Locations
- Bengali
- Switzerland
- Zurich International Airport
- Aargau
- When the Phantom moves, lightning stands still.
- When the Phantom asks, you answer.
Related stories
Refers to
- "Rex, the Missing Heir" by Lee Falk and Sy Barry
Behind the scenes
- According to the story, the time difference between Bangalla and Switzerland is two hours.
- When the Phantom leaves the hotel in downtown Aargau, he goes downhill on skis to go to the top terminal of the aerial tramway on top of the mountain.
Reprints
This story has been published in the following publications:
Denmark
- "Farlig ferie", Fantomet #117 (1979)
- "Farlig ferie", Fantomets Krønike #14 (1997)
Finland
- "Melkoinen loma", Mustanaamio 26/1978
- "Vaarallinen loma", Mustanaamio Year Album 1991
- "Vaarallinen loma", Viidakkopoika Rex (2024)
Norway
- "Farefull ferie", Fantomet 14/1978
- "Farefull ferie", Krønikebok #43 (2008)
Sweden
- "Farofylld semester", Fantomen 4/1978
- "Farlig semester", Fantomen Christmas Album 1991
- "Farlig semester", Djungelpojken Rex (2024)
West Germany
- "Die Gondel der Verlorenen", Phantom #134 (1979)
- "Die Gondel der Verlorenen", Phantom Super-band #24