The Riddle of the Witch

The Riddle of the Witch
Produced for:	The Phantom #24
# of pgs:	24
Writer:	Pat Fortunato
Artist:	Bill Lignante
Original colorist:	unknown
Producer:	King Comics

"The Riddle of the Witch" is a 1967 King Comics story written by Pat Fortunato, and with art by Bill Lignante.

Plot summary

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Appearances

Recurring characters

• The 21st Phantom
• Diana Palmer
• Julie
• Maru
• The Phantom, Julie's twin brother
• Flash
• Fury
• The Witch of the Dark Cliffs

One-time characters

• King Tumuchi of Sangari
• Adasi of Sangari
• Adasi's sister
• King Lugami (Lliwami) of Zigafu

Locations

• Bengali
  • Deep Woods
    • The Skull Cave
      • The Chronicle Room
• The Dark Cliffs

Tribes

• Bandar
• Sangari
• Zigafu
• Prattonian (mentioned)

Behind the scenes

• Although appearing in both of the two earlier King stories of Julie, Julie's horse, Flash, is mentioned by name for the first time.
• Julie's brother is said to be the great-great-grandfather of the current Phantom. During the Gold Key era of the magazine the current Phantom was said to be either the 16th, the 17th or the 21st of the line. The only time it is brought up during the King era - in an article in The Phantom #22 - the current Phantom is said to be the 16th. If so, then Julie would be the sister of the 12th Phantom.
• Pat Fortunato has written a blog post about her experiences with writing this story. It can be read here. According to this post:
  • King Lliwami (also called Lugami earlier in the story) is named after William "Bill" Harris, the editor who hired her.
  • Pat Fortunato admits that King Tumuchi's name is... well, too much!

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

Australia

• "The Riddle of the Witch", The Phantom #978 (1991)
• "The Riddle of the Witch", The Phantom #1774 (2017)

Brazil

• "O Mistério da Bruxa", Fantasma #140 (1968)
• "A Bruxa da Montanha Negra", Fantasma #313 (1981)
• "A Bruxa da Montanha Negra", Fantasma #371 (1986)

Chile

• "El acertijo de la bruja", El Fantasma #24 (1967)

France

• "L'énigme de la sorcière la fantôme", Le Fantôme #188 (1968)

India

• "The Riddle of the Witch", Indrajal Comics #54 (1967)

Italy

• "L'enigma della strega", L'Uomo Mascherato #39 (1967)

Mexico

• "El Enigma de la Bruja", El Fantasma #61 (1972)

Norway

• "Heksen fra Sangari", Fantomet Christmas Album 1988

Sweden

• "Häxgåtan", Vecko-Revyn 39 – 50/1968
• "Sangaris häxa", X9 2/1971
• "Sangaris häxa", Fantomen Krönika 1/2000

United Kingdom

• "Riddle of the Witch", Secrets of the Unknown #88

USA

• "The Riddle of the Witch", The Phantom #24 (1967)
• "The Riddle of the Witch", The Complete Series: The King Years (2012)