Jebba and the Congo amazons

Context

Jebba appeared in the Fantomah stories in Jungle Comics #31 and #32 (1942). These were published by Fiction House, who did pulpsCheap, often lurid novels in the US during the 1920s and 1930s. and comics from the 1920s to the 1950s.

Most “reboot Fantomah” — or “Hovious’ Fantomah”, based on the writer’s pseudonym — villains aren’t too interesting. They can’t really support a writeup.

Jebba ain’t no exception.

But, from time to time, it’s useful to write up such an obscure, vintage, formulaic character. As a sort of representative sample from the everyday comics of those days. Or to bring back a character with that odd mix of mediocrity and patina.

Background

Powers & Abilities

Jebba is a jungle queen type. She’s ferocious, athletic, intimidating, tricky – and a skilled fighter.

In the story we see her wielding :

One assumes that she’s experienced with sailing the (ginormous) Congo River.

Citadel of doom

Jebba operates from a large citadel. It is in a forested area, atop a hill, and next to a major river.

The architecture is vaguely Hellenistic Egyptian. With a lot of marble columns that may classify as papyriform.

This “citadel” doesn’t look like it was primarily built to withstand a siege. It has big upper walls and a handful of guards, plus two warhounds. But the inside is more like a palace and luxury resort.

The large inner garden, obviously, has a pool with crocodiles. Admittedly, it could have been piranhas.

Jebba also mentions that she owns vineyards. To my limited knowledge that’s not possible outside of Northernmost or Southernmost Africa. But as we’re about to discuss, Jebba laughs at your puny geography.

Carmen Sandiego, you are our only hope (yet again)

Like many of the mid-XX^th Century “jungle stories”, the tales with Jebba features a peculiar version of African geography.

Our assumption — we can’t be sure — is that the Hovious Fantomah stories take place in Central Ethiopia, near the Blue Nile.

And we can reasonably assume that Jebba and her Congo Amazons, who arrive by boat, normally sail the Congo River.

As you’re now doubt exclaiming, “but that’s *at least* 2,000 clicks over difficult terrain and no suitable waterways !”. I hear ya, friendo.

Jebba also mentions that they are selling ostrich feathers. Obviously, you’re not going to find ostriches anywhere near the Congo.

The eight virtues

This could be handwaved away as terrible geography. But I find it more interesting to assume that Jebba has access to some special travel technique.

First thing that comes to mind today would be moongates, as in the old Ultima video games.

So, making stuff up, depending upon the phases of the Moon and a “secret moon” (the one within Wildmoon Mountain ?), she could warp her boats from one major African river to another… and perhaps beyond.

This would also explain :

History

One evening during the Summer of 1942, Jebba and her river Mazaans (Amazons) docked in Khefra. They were coming to trade luxury goods, such as ivory or ostrich feathers.

But Jebba’s aim was to eventually rule Khefra. For the nonce, her goal was to covertly capture the handsome captain of the guard.

However the nocturnal kidnapping attempt failed due to Fury, Fantomah’s watchful black panther.

The furious and tyrannical Jebba beat her empty-handed henchwoman. But rather than kill her, she used her as bait for a trap… in the jungle !

Let me sail, let me sail, let the mighty Congo flow

The trap worked. Horus the captain of the guard spotted circling vultures, and investigated. Even better, he came along with Khefra’s queen, Fantomah.

Though it was difficult, the pair (and Fury) slew predators approaching the wounded Mazaan.

Jebba then sprung her trap, killing her own henchwoman and capturing Horus.

Let me reach, let me beach, on the shores of Yangambi

But Fantomah challenged her to a duel. The Khefran soon got rid of Jebba’s spear, forcing her into a knife fight.

The Mazaan briefly had the upper hand thanks to a dirty trick. But as Jebba lunged for the kill, Fantomah held her dagger in front of the Mazaan’s face so she’d impale herself.

Fantomah flipped her blade to the side at the last split-second, but Jebba had fainted from fear.

Seeing this destroyed the Mazaans’ courage. They slunk away with their defeated leader.

Let me sail, let me sail…

Jebba later sent a henchwoman to offer a gift to Fantomah. It was Zarn, a dwarf court jester – and apparently one of the few Black subjects of Jebba.

But when Zarn inevitably tried to murder Fantomah in her sleep, he was stopped by Fury.

Incensed, Fantomah immediately sailed her barge to Jebba’s forest citadel.

(In our proposed solution to the geographical problems, this is possible because Fantomah knows about moongates. And that they are currently aligned to link the Congo and the Blue Nile, which is how the henchwoman and Zarn came in in the first place.)

Jebba played gracious host, and served poisoned wine. But Fantomah threw it to her face, and engaged Jebba in a fight.

However, in the meanwhile, Zarn caught Fury with a lasso, and Jebba’s guards took Horus out.

… let me crash upon your shore

From there, things took a turn :

Fantomah noted that the Mazaans would likely be too busy fighting each other to succeed Jebba.

Personality

Treacherous ! Underhanded ! Virulently entitled ! Cruel ! Dishonourable ! Explosively temperamental !

Don’t let your daughters hang out with Jebba ! She’s such a bad influence !

Quotes

“No one can stand between Jebba and her desires !”

DC Universe Adaptation

(This section proposes ways of using this character in DC Universe stories).

Maybe she’d have fought Congo Bill. And that’s terrible.

Jebba wore leopard-skin clothing, and some of her girls wore zebra-skin clothing. That oddly echoes a story with Cheetah — the Golden AgeSuper-hero comics from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Wonder Woman enemy.

By Sébastien Andrivet.

Source of Character: Jungle Comics.

Writeup completed on the 9^th of October, 2021.