The Black Fire

The Black Fire
Produced for:	Fantomen 20/1989
# of pgs:	26
Writer:	Norman Worker
Artist:	Carlos Cruz
Original colorist:	N/A
Producer:	Semic Press

"The Black Fire" is a 1989 Team Fantomen story, written by Norman Worker, with art by Carlos Cruz.

Plot synopsis

The 21st Phantom goes with Julian Dalwood to Wuluti find the final resting place of Paul Gaudain and perhaps some of his last paintings. Julian Dalwood, however, has ulterior motives, knowing that The Black Fire in the sacred Wuluti river is caused by black opals.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• The 21st Phantom
• The 14th Phantom (in flashback)
• Paul Gaudain (in flashback)
• Hannah Dalwood-Gaudain (in flashback)
• Randalph Dalwood (mentioned)
• Unnamed senior Jungle Patrol officer (in flashback)
• Julian Dalwood
• Colonel Worubu
• Devil
• Hero
• Diana Palmer-Walker
• Guran

One-time characters

• Sally
• Helicopter passenger who finds collapsed Phantom in Tanami desert
• Helicopter pilot
• Mr Sherlock, chief of security at exhibit in Sydney Opera House
• Soames, security guard at Sydney Opera House

Real-life characters

• Eugène Delacroix
• Pierre-Narcisse Guérin

Locations

• Bengali
  • Morristown
    • Grand Hotel
    • Morristown Airport
  • Deep Woods
    • The Skull Cave
      • The Chronicle Room
      • The Major Treasure Room
  • The Jungle Patrol Headquarters
• Europe (mentioned)
  • France (in flashback)
    • Paris (in flashback)
      • Pierre Narcisse Guérin's studio (in flashback)
      • Montmartre (in flashback)
  • England
    • London
• Australia
  • Darwin
  • Sydney
    • Sydney Opera House
    • Sydney Hotel
  • Wolverine Bay
  • The Valley of the Winds
    • Wuluti
      • Paul and Hannah Gaudain's last resting place
  • Balagong
    • Balagong Hotel
    • Alice's Garage
  • Tanami Desert
  • Rumbala's Cattle Station

Tribes

• Wuluti

Organizations

• The Jungle Patrol
• Qantas
• Royal Flying Doctor Service

Vehicles

• Qantas airplane
• Landrover hired by the Phantom

Items

• "Wuluti Rock" painting by Paul Gaudain
• Painting of the 14th Phantom in native clothing and in usual costume by Paul Gaudain
• Black opals in the river with the Black Fire
• Self portrait of Paul Gaudain
• Portrait of Hannah
• Scene depicting life with Wuluti Aboriginals

Phantom lore

• The Skull Mark
• The Good Mark

Related stories

Referenced in

• "The Kings Cross Connection" by Jim Shepherd and Keith Chatto

Preceded by

• "Wuluti's Secret" by Norman Worker and Carlos Cruz

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• "The Black Fire", The Phantom #944A (1989)
• "The Black Fire", The Phantom #1125 (1996)
• "Black Fire", Part 2 The Phantom #1755 (2016)

Finland

• "Musta tuli"", Mustanaamio 4/1990

Norway

• "Den sorte ild", Fantomet 5/1990
• "Den sorte ild", Fantomets Krønike 2/1999

Sweden

• "Den svarta elden", Fantomen 20/1989