Matter Over Mind

The Phantom discovers the shocking truth of Mr. Cairo's origin in a dangerous race to discover the secret of the Maximum Era.

Mr. Cairo, the information broker who exists only as a "cyberspatial" entity (i.e., only on computer networks), longs to discover his origins. With the aid of Sparks' computer wizardry, he is shocked to discover he was generated from the mind of Dr. Jak. The Phantom fears that if Cairo is united with Jak, Jak will learn the Phantom's identity.

To assure the Phantom's protection, Sparks fashions a "datacage" which contains Mr. Cairo and prevents him from disclosing his knowledge about the Phantom. Heisenberg, the "self-aware" shape-changing Biot, fears that Cairo will be "killed" by the Phantom. He steals the memory cylinder containing Cairo from the Phantom, and brings it to Dr. Jak. The Phantom succeeds in regaining possession of the cylinder before Dr. Jak can learn his identity. Dr. Jak then tells the Phantom about Cairo's origin. He is a cybernetic entity born from his own brain. The Phantom hands over the cylinder to Cairn, and allows Dr. Jak and Cairo to "reunite." Now the Phantom and Jak join forces for a collective mission: to prevent Maximum, Inc. from experimenting with the purple poison which killed Kit's father and Jak's wife.

The Phantom, Sparks, Guran and Dr. Jak travel to New Brazil, where Rebecca and Graft are testing "Scythe," a chemical so powerful it destroys everything in its wake. They succeed in preventing Maximum, Inc. from testing the chemical and destroying the rainforests. In the end, Cairo is separated from Jak once again- they have been apart too long to be put back together. To thank the Phantom for being taught about his origins, Cairo leads the Phantom to a clue which will ultimately reveal the details surrounding his father's fate during the Great Train Wreck of 2024.

Kit Walker, Jr./24th Phantom, Rebecca Madison, Guran, Graft, Maxwell Madison, Jr., Maxwell Madison, Sr