The Connoisseurs

The Connoisseurs
Start date:	September 1st, 2003
End date:	December 27th, 2003
# of strips:	102 (17 weeks)
Writer:	Claes Reimerthi
Artist:	George Olesen & Keith Williams
Original colorist:	KFS staff
Preceded by:	"The Hit Men"
Followed by:	"The Viper God"

"The Connoisseurs" is the 209th Phantom daily story. The story was written by Claes Reimerthi, pencilled by George Olesen, and inked by Keith Williams.

Plot synopsis

Two poachers shoot a rhinoceros, within earshot of the Phantom. When he investigates, they show that it was just a tranquilizer dart and say they are part of a Government-supported preservation project. He accompanies them to their camp, where other animals are in cages. They say the animals are sick or wounded and recovering here. He asks to see their license and they coldcock him from behind. They start to remove his mask but a native helper warns them that to do that would bring them a terrible death. They back down and put him in a cage. Trucks come and remove the animals.

Instead of killing the Phantom, they stake him out as tiger bait. When a tiger attacks, it breaks the wooden stake, freeing the Phantom. He wounds the tiger, which runs off. He hides in the grass, then captures the two poachers and returns to the camp and leaves them and their boss for the Jungle Patrol to pick up. He rides to the port of Spyglass and secretly boards the ship where the animals are being loaded. It goes to the island of Condor, a mountain prince. Condor offers rich guests a chance to kill exotic animals. The Phantom sneaks into the villa, is discovered, and decides to take Condor hostage, but is captured himself. Condor then offers his guests a manhunt. Some guests are shocked and leave, but 15 of them pony up $500,000 each to participate.

Condor gives the Phantom a one-hour head start and the Phantom runs. The Phantom says he is unarmed but has his gun holsters and knife, and makes some bamboo spears and some traps. When he gets the best of some hunters, they flee. Condor sets fire to the grass to try to flush out the Phantom. The wind shifts, and the flames head back toward Condor and his villa. A rhinoceros, fleeing the fire, attacks Condor but doesn't kill him. The Phantom takes Condor to Bangallan authorities for trial.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• The 21st Phantom

One-time characters

• N'Kolo
• "Professor Rice"
• Pete
• Ollie
• Prince Condor, Mountain Prince
• Marchuk, advisor to Prince Condor

Locations

• Bangalla
  • Bengalla Savannas
  • Poachers' camp site
  • Bangalla Coast
    • Port of Spyglass
• India
• Prince Condor's Private Island
  • Prince Condor's Villa
    • Prince Condor's Private Bedchamber

Organizations

• Jungle Patrol
• Bangalla Authorities

Ships

• Mary Rafferty, the freighter

Tribes

• Wambesi

Old Jungle Sayings

• The Phantom moves faster than lightning

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• "The Connoisseurs", The Phantom #1378 (2004)

Denmark

• "Kenderne", Nordjyske Stiftstidende March 16, 2006 – June 28, 2006
• "Kenderne", Horsens Folkeblad January 10, 2009 – May 13, 2009

India

• Anandabazar Patrika May 7, 2004 – September 3, 2004
• "The Connoisseurs", Jungle Mystery (2011; excerpt)
• "The Connoisseurs", The Connoisseurs (2011)
• "The Connoisseurs", The Viper God (2011; excerpt)
• "The Connoisseurs", Immortal Justice (2011)
• "The Connoisseurs", Predator of Evil (2011; excerpt)
• "The Connoisseurs", Evil's Nemesis (2011; excerpt)
• "The Connoisseurs", The Connoisseurs / The Dakk Pirates (2014)
• "The Connoisseurs", The Locust God and other stories (2014)

Jamaica

• The Daily Gleaner September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003

Mexico

• El Informador December 7, 2004 – January 28, 2005 - the last seven weeks only

Norway

• Sandefjords Blad ?, 2004 – February 12, 2005
• Østlendingen November 18, 2004 – March 19, 2005
• Lofotposten November 18, 2004 – March 18, 2005
• Østlandsposten November 24, 2004 – March 29, 2005
• Varden ?, 2004 – April 1, 2005
• Finnmark Dagblad December 24, 2004 – April 29, 2005
• Romsdals Budstikke December 30, 2004 – May 3, 2005
• Sunnmørsposten January 8, 2005 – May 11, 2005
• Telen March 12, 2005 – July 16, 2005
• Haugesunds Avis May 6, 2005 – September 3, 2005
• Nordlys May 12, 2005 – July 16, 2005
• Aftenposten June 6, 2005 – October 25, 2005
• Oppland Arbeiderblad June 24, 2010 – October 20, 2010
• Bergensavisen February 19, 2016 – June 9, 2016

El Salvador

• La Prensa Gráfica May 26 (?), 2004 – September 22, 2004

Sweden

• "Konnässörerna", Svenska Dagbladet June 17, 2004 – October 14, 2004
• "Konnässörerna", Fantomen 12/2022

Turkey

• "Uzmanlar", Kızılmaske #36 (2016)

USA

• Anderson Independent-Mail September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• The Baltimore Sun September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• Bangor Daily News September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• Baraboo News Republic September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• Boston Herald September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• The Clarksdale Press Register September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• The Daily American September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• The Daily Item September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• The Daily Journal September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• Johnson City Press September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• Observer-Reporter September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• The Plattsburgh Press-Republican September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• Press Enterprise September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• Reading Eagle September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003
• Republican Herald September 1, 2003 – December 27, 2003