The Jungle Tourneys

The Jungle Tourneys
Start date:	February 19th, 1956
End date:	May 20th, 1956
# of strips:	14 pages
Writer:	Lee Falk
Artist:	Wilson McCoy
Original colorist:	KFS staff
Preceded by:	"A Proper Husband"
Followed by:	"Pirate Day"

"The Jungle Tourneys" is the 44th Phantom Sunday story. The story was written by Lee Falk and drawn by Wilson McCoy.

Plot synopsis

The Phantom is preparing to fight in the annual jungle tourney. He chooses to take a swim in a river, and he leaves his costume by the riverside. Jack, a nearby escaped convict steals his clothes as a disguise. With the new likeness, the convict realises that he is welcomed by all the tribes that he meets. Not understanding the language, he is led to fight in the jungle tourney. The Phantom rushes back to skull cave for a new outfit, but misses the fight where the Phantom imposter is defeated by Wambesi wrestler Woban. Woban is declared ruler of the jungle. The Phantom returns to the tourney to clear his name. Soon after he finds the imposter and he takes him before the judges of the event. The real phantom is recognised through his skull ring and a rematch is declared. The Phantom beats Woban in the rematch and Jack is sent to prison.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• The 21st Phantom
• Diana (mentioned)
• Devil
• Hero

One-time characters

• Jack
• Woban

Locations

• Bengali
  • Deep Woods
    • The Skull Cave

Tribes

• Wambesi

Organizations

Vehicles

Related stories

Remade as

• "The Tournament" by Lee Falk and Bill Lignante

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• "The Jungle Tourneys", The Phantom #1000 (1992)
• "The Jungle Tourneys", The Phantom #1560 (2010)
• "The Jungle Tourneys", The Phantom #1579 (2010)

Brazil

• "O Campeão da Floresta", Fantasma #24 (1957)

Canada

• La Patrie February 19, 1956 – May 20, 1956

Finland

• Sarjakuvalehti 17/1959
• "Väärä Mustanaamio", Mustanaamio Year Album 1976

India

• The Illustrated Weekly of India November 4, 1956 – February 3, 1957
• "The Imposter", Indrajal Comics #4 (1964)

Italy

• "Il falso Uomo Mascherato", L'Uomo Mascherato #28 (1960)
• "Il falso Uomo Mascherato", L'Uomo Mascherato #4 (1961)
• "Il falso Uomo Mascherato", L'olimpo dei fumetti #13 (1972)
• "Il falso Uomo Mascherato", Phantom - L'Uomo Mascherato #3 (1994)
• L'uomo mascherato – Il mito dell'Ombra che cammina (2005)

Mexico

• "El Torneo de la Selva", El Fantasma #14 (1966)

New Zealand

• The Phantom #187
• The Phantom #429

Norway

• "Det falske Fantomet", Fantomet Year Album 1976

Spain

• "El falso Hombre Enmascarado", Phantom #20 (1999)

Sweden

• "Den falske Fantomen", Vecko-Revyn 50/1958 – 11/1959
• "Den falske Fantomen", Fantomen 4 – 6/1959
• (No title given), Thud #17 (1972)
• "Den falske Fantomen", Fantomen Christmas Album 1976

USA

• St. Petersburg Times February 19, 1956 – May 20, 1956
• The Phantom Sundays #6 (1989)
• The Complete Sundays: Volume Five 1953–1956 (2018)