Deadly Virus

Deadly Virus
Produced for:	Fantomen 12/2007
# of pgs:	32
Writer:	Claes Reimerthi
Artist:	César Spadari
Original colorist:	Reprostugan
Producer:	Egmont Kärnan

"Deadly Virus" is a 2007 Team Fantomen story, written by Claes Reimerthi, with art by César Spadari.

Plot synopsis

"Lunatex World Medicine" is a medical research company with new owners, Singh Corporation. Representing the new owners, Sorto Singh has a meeting with the company manager, Dr. Zebeke. Sorto Singh demands higher profits or there will be a change of management. Lunatex is researching a vaccine against pestilence in apes and Sorto Singh want to have a full report.

The pestilence do not transmit to humans. In a meeting with Sandal Singh, Sorto Singh suggest that the virus can be genetically modified so that it becomes zoonoses, that it transfers to humans. As the only supplier of a vaccine Singh Corporation would earn a lot of money. The deadly virus would be distributed through a measles vaccine that Lunatex also manufactures. The Lunatex company management would be kept in the dark.

In the Morristown township of Bengete, doctor Luaga is vaccinating the inhabitants against measles. A few days later many inhabitants are very sick from high fever. The newspapers write how Bengete has been sealed off because of the infectious disease. Lunatex manager Dr Zebeke is concerned that his own company may be involved. When he tries to investigate at work he is murdered by Sorto Singh and his men. When his wife is told by police that her husband has died from a heart attack she decides to contact The Phantom who agrees to investigate when he hears that Lunatex' new owner is Singh Corporation.

In a meeting with Sandal Singh, Sorto Singh reports that the initial tests in Bengete have been successful and that the virus will now be distributed all over the continent. Sandal Singh is very happy with the news. Sorto Singh explains that his men will murder the doctor who was involved in the vaccination programme, doctor Luaga.

Dr Luaga has figured out the link between the epidemic and the measles vaccine. In his Bengete clinic dr. Luaga is attacked by thugs but is saved by the Phantom. Dr Luaga explains that Lunatex is responsible. The Phantom sneaks into the Lunatex research facility but is discovered by Soto Singh and his men. When they realize that their secret plan is unfolding, they set fire to the facility and escape. Soto Singh is killed by a laboratory ape who fires his gun.

The fire destroys all evidence. No charges are made against Sandal Singh. Singh Corporation puts the blame on the previous owner.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• The 21st Phantom
• Devil
• Guran
• Hero
• Lamanda Luaga
• Sandal Singh
• Belim

One-time characters

• Sorto Singh
• Dr. Jed Zebeke
• Mrs. Zebeke
• Professor Bridgewater
• Jones
• Bobo
• Mrs. Tortuga
• David Lynne, reporter
• Dr. Van Hamme
• Detective Tobo
• Brian, thug
• Moe, thug
• Frog, thug
• Bull

Locations

• Bengali
  • Morristown
    • Bengete
      • Dr Cartwright's medical clinic
• Sing headquarters in the mountains
• Deep Woods
  • The Skull Cave
    • The Skull Throne

Tribes

• Bandar

Organizations

• The Singh Brotherhood

Objects

• Good Mark necklace

Newspapers

• Bengali Press
• Morristown Press

Phantom Lore

• Talking drums

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• "Deadly Virus", The Phantom #1480 (2007)

Finland

• "Tappava virus", Mustanaamio 12/2007

Norway

• "Dødelig virus", Fantomet 11/2007

Sweden

• "Dödligt virus", Fantomen 12/2007