The Treasure Hunters

The Treasure Hunters
Start date:	January 17th, 2000
End date:	May 6th, 2000
# of strips:	96 (16 weeks)
Writer:	Tony DePaul
Artist:	George Olesen & Keith Williams
Original colorist:	KFS staff
Preceded by:	"The Halloween Kidnappers"
Followed by:	"The Strange Robber"

"The Treasure Hunters" is the 198th Phantom daily story. The story was written by Tony DePaul and drawn by George Olesen and Keith Williams.

Plot Summary

Two researchers, Gilbert and Danielle Bates, and their crew, receive permission from president Luaga to search for diamonds that were lost in 1914 in the Bengali river when a ship sank.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• The 21st Phantom
• Devil
• Guran
• Hero
• Lamanda Luaga
• The 19th Phantom

One-time characters

• Gilbert Bates
• Danielle Bates
• Taz
• Cap
• Max Kohl
• Elena Kohl

Locations

• Bangalla
  • Mawitaan
    • Presidential Palace
    • Mawitaan International Airport
    • Belgian Embassy
  • The Deep Woods
    • The Skull Cave
      • The Radio Control Room

Tribes

• Bandar

Vehicles

• "African Queen", a ship

Items

• Elena Kohl's diary

Behind the scenes

When this story was reprinted in Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish comic books, a different version was used where Kari Leppänen had inked over George Olesen's pencils.

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• "The Treasure Hunters", The Phantom #1264 (2000)

Canada

• Le Nouvelliste July 26, 2000 – December 6, 2000

Denmark

• Horsens Folkeblad April 18, 2005 – August 10, 2005

Finland

• "Bengali-Joen aarre", Mustanaamio 3/2003 (inked by Kari Leppänen)

India

• Anandabazar Patrika ? – ?
• "The Treasure Hunters", The Adventures of the Ghost who Walks: The Ghost Wall (2011; excerpt)
• "The Treasure Hunters", The Adventures of the Ghost who Walks: The Dakk Pirates (2011; excerpt)
• "The Treasure Hunters", The Adventures of the Ghost who Walks: The Treasure Hunters (2011)
• "The Treasure Hunters", The Adventures of the Ghost who Walks: Justice for All (2011; excerpt)
• "The Treasure Hunters", The Adventures of the Ghost who Walks: Enemy of Evil (2011)
• "The Treasure Hunters", The Adventures of the Ghost who Walks: The Animal Collector / The Treasure Hunters (2014)
• "The Treasure Hunters", U-Boat Mystery and other stories (2014)

Jamaica

• The Daily Gleaner January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000

Mexico

• El Informador June 26, 2003 – November 22, 2003

Norway

• Aftenposten January 31, 2001 – June 21, 2001
• "Bengalelvas skatt", Fantomet 3/2003 (inked by Kari Leppänen)

Serbia

• "Ukleti dragulj", Boomerang #75 – #76 (2010)

Spain

• El Correo ? – March 6, 2001

Sweden

• Svenska Dagbladet September 23, 2000 – January 16, 2001
• "Bengaliflodens skatt", Fantomen 3/2003 (inked by Kari Leppänen)

Turkey

• "Hazine Avcıları", Kızılmaske #33 (2016)

USA

• The Indianapolis Star January 17, 2000 – April 24, 2000 (last eleven strips missing)
• The Baltimore Sun January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• Bangor Daily News January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• The Daily American January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• The Daily Item January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• The Daily Journal January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• Herald News January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• Observer-Reporter January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• The Plattsburgh Press-Republican January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• Reading Eagle January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• Republican Herald January 17, 2000 – May 6, 2000
• "Belgian Gems", Comics Revue #177 – #182 (2000-2001)