The Unknown Commander, Part 1

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The Unknown Commander, Part 1
The Unknown Commander, Part 1.jpg
Produced for: Fantomen 18/1980
# of pgs: 32
Writer: Norman Worker
Artist: Georges Bess
Original colorist: N/A
Producer: Semic Press


"The Unknown Commander, Part 1" is a 1980 Team Fantomen story, written by Norman Worker, with art by Georges Bess.

Plot synopsis

A filming team has just visited the headquarter of the Jungle Patrol to make a documentary and Colonel Worubu is somewhat annoyed that he cannot tell them who is the Commander, nor details of how the Jungle Patrol was founded. He therefore writes a letter to the Commander and asks for some answers. The Phantom gets a good laugh when he reads the letter, but then decides to tell Guran in the Skull Cave the story, though not Worubu.

Kulai Singh, the leader of the Singh Brotherhood at the time of the 14th Phantom, appears to Chandra Sykharn, the lord of one of the countries in the Misty Mountains, and invites him to join the Singh Organisation, as they call it, to help solve his financial problems. After Chandra Sykharn agrees and is sworn in, he is sent to infiltrate the Jungle Patrol as a new Colonel, since Kulai has arranged for the current one, Lord Cardingham, to died in a "hunting accident" due to a malfunctioning weapon. The Jungle Patrol appoint Chandra Sykharn as their new Colonel, based on a letter sent from and sealed by the Phantom. Unfortunately, the 14th Phantom is in Europe with no way for the patrolmen to see the danger.

Colonel Sykharn drives the men so hard that the best of them chooses to leave the patrol. The replacements are Singh pirates who beat up a couple of natives in order to bring in some money for their services. This makes Major Douglas Wild, the second in command when the Commander is gone, say that he is discharging the Colonel, though to no avail. Major Wild and another officer, Lieutenant Caution, are imprisoned, but Major Wild sees the seven circles on the inside of "Colonel" Sykharn's wrist and he realizes the whole Singh plan.

However, Sergeant Tagga suddenly frees him and he is informed that when the rest of the loyal Patrol heard that he had been imprisoned, they rebelled. Major Wild is then taken out to a place in the jungle where the rest of the men are; they had not really quit as patrolmen.

Meanwhile, the wife of the 14th Phantom, Marie Claire has become ill and is in Paris in France to get the best care available. However, she does not respond to the treatment, dies of malaria, and is buried in a cemetery in Paris. The Phantom and his son are then leaving for Bengali, unaware of what is happening there.

When they arrive in Sanloi they are assaulted by thugs. The fight is quite hard, since there are so many thugs, but then some loyal patrolmen show up and save the day. They are then briefed on what has happened.

The Phantom, his son, and Major Wild use a secret tunnel that goes from a poisoned well to the office of the Commander. They then head for the ammunition store and blow it up. The loyal Jungle Patrol attacks the headquarters and "Colonel" Sykharn flees through the gates with the Phantom pursuing him. Sykharn falls into a quicksand pit and, after the Phantom saves him, Sykharn shoots the Phantom. Later, the Phantom's son and Major Wild find the Phantom lying by his horse. The 14th Phantom is immediately taken to the Skull Cave but he realizes that he will die and therefore the 15th Phantom swears the Oath of the Phantom shortly before his father dies.

Appearances

Recurring characters

One-time characters

  • Documentary team
  • Unnamed Captain of the Jungle Patrol
  • Unnamed Warrant Officer of the Jungle Patrol
  • Doctor of hospital in Paris

Real-life characters

Locations

Tribes

Organizations

Phantom Lore

  • The Oath of the Skull
  • The Oath of the Singh Brotherhood
  • The Seven Circles Sign of the Singh Pirates
  • The Skull Ring
  • The Good Mark Ring


Behind the Scenes

  • Colonel Worubu has signed a letter as M Worubu. In later years, his first name was revealed to be Jonathan in the story "Worubu", also written by Norman Worker.
  • The Oath of the Singh, said while their mark is being tattooed on the wrist, is given as: "I swear everlasting allegiance to the Singh Organisation. I swear, without question, to follow the orders given by the ruler of the House of Singh. To assist my brothers in their hour of need and to keep only my fair share of loot and treasures. Never to disclose any of our Brotherhood's secrets and to kill all our Brotherhood's enemies without mercy! All this i solemnly promise! Should I break any one of these promises I risk the punishment of a thousand lashes." The promise becomes binding when the sword is touched with the initiate's lips.
  • Kulai Singh says the history of the Jungle Patrol began in 1654, rather than 1664.
  • In the Phantom Crypt the dates shown are in the table below, with the new one being "- 1831"
-74 1626 - 166- -31 - 1778
-35 1646 -

Related stories

Followed by

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

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