Phantom Empire 1 (Alpha)

A nation 20000 feet underground

Hidden deep beneath the earth is the lost civilization of Murania, ruled by the ruthless Queen Tika. When Gene Autry stumbles across the hidden city, the Muranians are determined to silence him and destroy his ranch to protect their secret world. The queen's masked army of thunder riders hunts down the singing cowboy and brings him to their subterranean city. Teeming with futuristic weaponry and machinery, the unfamiliar land resembles an alien planet. It looks like the last round-up for Gene when deadly robots attack him with flamethrowers. Autry's daring and the Queen's bloodlust escalates to a final confrontation which threatens the entire populace of Murania with total war.

This 12 chapter cliffhanger produced by Mascot Pictures is the earliest science fiction serial which integrates western themes. The Phantom Empire sets the stage for a host of followers including The Undersea Kingdom and Flash Gordon.

Includes chapters 1-6.