Guran
Encyclopedia
Guran is a character from The Phantom
comic strip, and is the Phantom's best friend since childhood. According to Lee Falk
's novel The Story of the Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks
, he is ten years older than Kit Walker, aka the Phantom. The two grew up together in the deep woods of Bangalla
, where Guran taught the Phantom the ways of the Bandar tribe. Guran was the Phantom's best man when he married his girlfriend since boyhood, Diana Palmer.
Guran followed Kit to Clarksville
, USA, where Kit studied while living with his aunt and uncle, Bessie and Sid, leaving him to become the first of the shy, isolated Bandar pigmies to learn how to read and write.
He also brought Kit the message about Kit's dying father, the 20th Phantom, causing the 20 year old college student to leave America to return to the Skull Cave
, Bangalla
, where he took up the mantle of the Phantom.
Guran is known for his characteristic clothing. He is usually seen wearing a special hat made of either blades of grass or wood.
He is also the medicine man of the Bandar, and has saved the Phantom's life on a few occasions due to his knowledge of ancient Bangallan medicine as well as modern western medicine.
Guran has a son from a former relationship, Timo, who is the black sheep of the family. Timo was once was a part of the team who tried to steal the Phantom's treasure from the Skull Cave
.
animated series, Guran's grandson, also named Guran, was the closest friend of the 23rd Phantom, and acted as a mentor to the 24th. He was voiced by J.D. Hall.
A character called Guran had cameo appearances in some episodes of Defenders of the Earth
, which featured Flash Gordon
, The Phantom
, and Mandrake the Magician
. However, as the series took place in the future, it is presumed to be one of Guran's descendants.
In the 1996 The Phantom film, Guran makes a brief appearance played by Radmar Agana Jao
. In this version he is much younger than the Phantom, and is portrayed as an Asian, rather than African as he is in the comics. He also wears a turban
and a more traditional set of clothing, rather than his strange hat and unique dress sense in the comic.
In the 1943 Phantom movie serial, a character named Moko is clearly inspired by Guran, and serves as the Phantom's assistant and helper throughout the film.
In the 2010 SyFy miniseries, Guran is recast as an educated native woman (Sandrine Holt
) of the Bengalla jungle who eventually befriends Kit Walker (Ryan Carnes
) (the son of the previous Phantom and Diane Walker). It is possible, although there is no evidence to support this, that Guran is her family name and that she is descended from the original Guran.
The Phantom
The Phantom is an American adventure comic strip created by Lee Falk, also creator of Mandrake the Magician. A popular feature adapted into many media, including television, film and video games, it stars a costumed crimefighter operating from the fictional African country Bengalla.The Phantom is...
comic strip, and is the Phantom's best friend since childhood. According to Lee Falk
Lee Falk
Lee Falk, born Leon Harrison Gross , was an American writer, theater director, and producer, best known as the creator of the popular comic strip superheroes The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, who at the height of their popularity attracted over a hundred million readers every day...
's novel The Story of the Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks
The Story of the Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks
See also: Phantom novelsThe Story of the Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks is a novel written by Lee Falk in 1973, based on his own comic strip creation The Phantom.-Plot:...
, he is ten years older than Kit Walker, aka the Phantom. The two grew up together in the deep woods of Bangalla
Bangalla
Bangalla, also known as Bengali and Bangolia, is a fictional African country that features in the Lee Falk created comic series The Phantom. Bangalla is the home of the Phantom, who resides in the Deep Woods of the jungle in the fabled Skull Cave...
, where Guran taught the Phantom the ways of the Bandar tribe. Guran was the Phantom's best man when he married his girlfriend since boyhood, Diana Palmer.
Guran followed Kit to Clarksville
Clarksville
Clarksville may refer to:In the United States:*Clarksville, Arkansas*Clarksville, California*Clarksville, Delaware*Clarksville, Florida*Clarksville, Idaho*Clarksville, Illinois*Clarksville, Indiana, in Clark County...
, USA, where Kit studied while living with his aunt and uncle, Bessie and Sid, leaving him to become the first of the shy, isolated Bandar pigmies to learn how to read and write.
He also brought Kit the message about Kit's dying father, the 20th Phantom, causing the 20 year old college student to leave America to return to the Skull Cave
Skull Cave
The Skull Cave is the hideout of The Phantom. The Skull Cave is hidden behind a largewaterfall in the Deep Woods of Bangalla.To find the cave, one must go through the waterfall...
, Bangalla
Bangalla
Bangalla, also known as Bengali and Bangolia, is a fictional African country that features in the Lee Falk created comic series The Phantom. Bangalla is the home of the Phantom, who resides in the Deep Woods of the jungle in the fabled Skull Cave...
, where he took up the mantle of the Phantom.
Guran is known for his characteristic clothing. He is usually seen wearing a special hat made of either blades of grass or wood.
He is also the medicine man of the Bandar, and has saved the Phantom's life on a few occasions due to his knowledge of ancient Bangallan medicine as well as modern western medicine.
Family
Guran is the son of the former chief of the Bandar tribe, leaving him to take over the title from his father (it is not known whether his father died or retired from the position). His ancestors, who have accompanied various Phantoms on adventures, are similar in appearance and are all named with the suffix -uran.Guran has a son from a former relationship, Timo, who is the black sheep of the family. Timo was once was a part of the team who tried to steal the Phantom's treasure from the Skull Cave
Skull Cave
The Skull Cave is the hideout of The Phantom. The Skull Cave is hidden behind a largewaterfall in the Deep Woods of Bangalla.To find the cave, one must go through the waterfall...
.
Other media
In the Phantom 2040Phantom 2040
Phantom 2040 is an American animated science fiction television series loosely based on the comic strip hero The Phantom, created by Lee Falk. The central character of the series is said to be the 24th Phantom...
animated series, Guran's grandson, also named Guran, was the closest friend of the 23rd Phantom, and acted as a mentor to the 24th. He was voiced by J.D. Hall.
A character called Guran had cameo appearances in some episodes of Defenders of the Earth
Defenders of the Earth
Defenders of the Earth is an animated television series produced in 1986, narrated by Corey Burton and featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features Syndicate—Flash Gordon, the Phantom, and Mandrake the Magician—battling the Flash Gordon villain Ming the Merciless in the...
, which featured Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon is the hero of a science fiction adventure comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by and created to compete with the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip. Also inspired by these series were comics such as Dash...
, The Phantom
The Phantom
The Phantom is an American adventure comic strip created by Lee Falk, also creator of Mandrake the Magician. A popular feature adapted into many media, including television, film and video games, it stars a costumed crimefighter operating from the fictional African country Bengalla.The Phantom is...
, and Mandrake the Magician
Mandrake the Magician
Mandrake the Magician is a syndicated newspaper comic strip, created by Lee Falk , which began June 11, 1934. Phil Davis soon took over as the strip's illustrator, while Falk continued to script. The strip was distributed by King Features Syndicate.Davis worked on the strip until his death in 1964,...
. However, as the series took place in the future, it is presumed to be one of Guran's descendants.
In the 1996 The Phantom film, Guran makes a brief appearance played by Radmar Agana Jao
Radmar Agana Jao
Radmar Agana Jao, SJ is an priest and former actor.Originally from Valparaiso, Indiana, USA and comes from a family of nine children. He was born in Gary, Indiana on 7 November 1966 to Tessie Agana, a Filipina actress from the 1950s...
. In this version he is much younger than the Phantom, and is portrayed as an Asian, rather than African as he is in the comics. He also wears a turban
Turban
In English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
and a more traditional set of clothing, rather than his strange hat and unique dress sense in the comic.
In the 1943 Phantom movie serial, a character named Moko is clearly inspired by Guran, and serves as the Phantom's assistant and helper throughout the film.
In the 2010 SyFy miniseries, Guran is recast as an educated native woman (Sandrine Holt
Sandrine Holt
Sandrine Holt is a British-born Eurasian Canadian model turned actress.-Early life:Holt was born Sandrine Ho in London, England to a Chinese father and a French mother. At age five, she and her family moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which has remained her hometown. Holt attended St...
) of the Bengalla jungle who eventually befriends Kit Walker (Ryan Carnes
Ryan Carnes
Ryan Gregg Carnes is an American actor. He attended Duke University where he was a member of DUMB, the Duke University Marching Band. He is currently working on a collaboration with other musicians and is an accomplished drummer of 15 years.In 2003 Carnes was part of a national campaign for...
) (the son of the previous Phantom and Diane Walker). It is possible, although there is no evidence to support this, that Guran is her family name and that she is descended from the original Guran.