Number 2123: “Show thyself, monster serpent of legend!”

Over the years I’ve shown lots of jungle girl stories, but, except for Tarzan, not many jungle guys. So, beefcake fans, rejoice. Here is Jo-Jo, Congo King, originally created in 1947 for Victor Fox’s sleazy comic books. Fox brought his comics line to a halt in 1949, but Jo-Jo lived on, and made occasional appearances in comics from Star and Skywald. In 1971 Skywald published three issues of Jungle Adventures, a 25¢ squareback comic, featuring mostly reprints from Avon and Fox, and a new jungle guy, Zangar, in stories drawn by Jack Katz. All three issues featured Jo-Jo reprints. This Jo-Jo episode appeared in Jungle Adventures #3 (1971). The story’s original appearance was in Jo-Jo Comics #23 (1949). Like some other characters published by Fox, Phantom Lady and Blue Beetle among them, the artwork and scripts were done by the Jerry Iger shop.

Jo-Jo wandered the jungle with his girlfriend, Tanee (who looks a lot like Rulah the Jungle Girl). Tanee’s job in Jo-Jo stories, based on what I have read, is damsel in distress. She even whimpers in one panel, “Ohh [sic], why does Jo-Jo not come to rescue me?”

Not since a time long before this story was originally published in 1949 (like, say, the Victorian era) has there been such corny dialogue written for characters as it is written in this story. Aiieee!

Posted in: Pappy Comics