By Ed Rhoades
The Phantom’s responsibility to fight evil and injustice requires a well- rounded education and life experience. Although learning about fighting and jungle survival from his father is a valuable training for the mantle he must someday wear, it is not enough, so as a young man, the Phantom attends school while living with his mother’s family. With this in mind, the choice of the Phantom’s wife is important not just for her bloodline, but for her family as well.
The 1st Phantom’s wife was a Spanish princess; the 4th Phantom’s wife was the niece of William Shakespeare. Other mates of Phantoms have included a daughter of a maharajah, an Indian princess, a pirate queen, an Italian opera singer, and a sharpshooter Annie Morgan (inspired by famed Phoebe Ann Oakley Mozee). 
Lady Maude, the mother of the current Phantom died when he was living with her sister, Sophie and her husband. Adjustment to small town life was not an easy one. He was out of place. Jungle bred, his frame of reference made him appear like a savage to his extended family in their civilized setting. His Aunt Sophie and her husband Ephraim had boasted that he was the son of a rich plantation owner and arranged an elaborate reception to welcome their nephew; however, upon his arrival his appearance and demeanor embarrassed them in the presence of their friends. Young Kit’s uncle decided to spank him in retaliation for the incident not knowing the danger he faced with such an act. Guran, an adult pygmy warrior, who was sworn to protect Kit, was prepared to kill Ephraim, and Kit at the age of 12 was already more than the equal of a full-grown man and capable of protecting himself. After running away from his new surroundings, he learned that his Aunt Sophie was concerned about him and he returned.
As their familial bond grew, Kit’s aunt and uncle played an important part in the Phantom’s development from a headstrong youngster to a mature, thoughtful man. It is reasonable to assume that the formative years he spent in their care were instrumental in transforming youthful stubbornness to mature resolve. As those years passed, his aunt and uncle came to love Kit. During his stay with them, his heroic act of protecting students from a panther and his incredible athletic prowess put their small town on the map and endeared Kit to everyone in the kindly community.
His uncle, who at first viewed Kit with misgivings, later became proud of the fine young man he grew into and carried sincere affection for his nephew.
There are different official accounts of Kit’s childhood. The earliest being a Sunday strip beginning in July 1944. It’s likely Alfred Bester ghosted this version, while Lee served in the armed forces. In this early plot, young Kit stays with his Aunt Lucy and Uncle Jasper Walker in the town of Centerville. Lee retold the same story with a few changes in another Sunday strip beginning in June 1959. The basic elements are the same, but the setting is the small town of Watertown where he stays with his Aunt Sophie and her husband. Lee’s final version appeared in The Story Of The Phantom, a 1972 Avon paperback, in which young Kit resides with his Aunt Bessie and Uncle Ephraim in Clarksville. Yet another very well written account was The Son Of The Phantom by Dale Robertson, which was based on the first Sunday story and featured art by Wilson McCoy from the original Sunday story Childhood of the Phantom. When I asked Lee about this, he replied, “I had nothing to do with it. I was in the army.”
All are similar in details and characteristics and present Kit’s extended family in the same way.
