Press Service

Press Service
Produced for:	L'Uomo Mascherato #94 (1968)
# of pgs:	24
Writer:	unknown
Artist:	Senio Pratesi
Original colorist:	unknown
Producer:	Fratelli Spada

"Press Service" is a 1968 Fratelli Spada story by Senio Pratesi.

Plot synopsis

Will Dark and Molly Lane are looking for a story to save their journalist careers when they come across the Phantom. They go to Morristown to see if they can uncover the truth behind the mystery and legend of the Phantom. They happen to be there when the Phantom invites initiates to the Skull Cave. Kur, who bears the skull mark on his jaw, is looking for a way to avenge himself and invites Will and Molly to dress up and go with him.

When at the Skull Cave, Kur fires a spring blowgun in his clothes at the Phantom when Will is taking flash photographs of the Phantom. Kur misses, then runs into the jungle where he is shown no mercy by the Bandar warriors. The other chiefs demand Will and Molly be killed for sacrilege and the Phantom must uphold the rites and ancient law of the jungle.

The Phantom has Guran set up the net under the trap in front of the Skull Cave and when the Phantom agrees to the punishment chosen by the Essia, Will and Molly run into the trap and get caught by the net. The Phantom and Guran come up with a way to convince the tribes that the imposters are dead and help them escape through a dangerous secret tunnel sealed off by the 3rd Phantom.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• The 21st Phantom
• The 3rd Phantom (mentioned)
• Guran
• Devil
• Miss Diana (mentioned)
• Colonel Weeks
• Old Joe

One-time characters

• Mr Bull, Editor-in-Chief of the Globe
• Will Dark
• Molly Lane
• Dumbat
• Sheikh of Baar (deceased)
• Rajah of Trukar
• Wambesi Chief
• Sheikh of Wipur
• Essia
• President of the Board of Directors of the Globe

Locations

• Bengali
  • Deep Woods
    • The Skull Cave
      • The Phantom Crypt
      • The Chronicle Chamber
      • The Skull Throne
      • The trap door in front of the Skull Cave
      • The Forbidden Passage
        • Carved Idol emitting hallucinogenic vapours as it dissolves
  • Morristown
    • The Ruins of the Mosque
  • The Jungle Patrol Headquarters‏‎
• USA
  • New York
    • The Globe Editorial Office
      • Director's Office
      • Foyer

Tribes

• Bandar
• Wambesi
• Essia

Organizations

• The Globe Newspaper
• IAL airlines
• The Jungle Patrol

Vehicles

• IAL airplane

Items

• Will Dark's camera
• Credentials - necklace with Good Mark, Skull Mark, and number 761 to allow safe passage past the Bandar

Phantom Lore

• Talking drums

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• "Press Service", The Phantom #1965 (2024)

France

• "Service de presse", Le Fantôme #239 (1969)

Italy

• "Servizio stampa", L'Uomo Mascherato #94 (1968)

Turkey

• "Sihirli Mağara", Kızılmaske Albüm #37