Piratas do Tietê is a humor comic book series published by Circo Editorial in Brazil, commencing in May 1990. Piratas do Tietê comics are published in black and white, with color only found on the cover, in Portuguese language. The illustrations within the comic book series are by female artist Laerte Coutinho (or simply ‘Laerte’ as can be seen on the cover).
The Piratas do Tietê comic was actually born in 1986. In 1990 under the publishing name of Editora Circo, cartoonist Laerte Coutinho launched his own comic book, Piratas/Pirates. Laerte’s comics were always illustrated in his own style, portraying everyday life in a fantastic surreal way with highly detailed art, making use of photographic references, explicit and sometimes erotic scenes and stories all with a surprise ending.
In 1984, the late South American Antônio de Souza Mendes Neto founded Circo Editorial, considered the most important Brazilian publishing house of alternative comics in the 1980s and 1990s. Circo Editorial featured artists such as Laerte, Angeli and Glauco, among other important names in Brazilian underground comics. Mendes won several awards between 2011 and 2015 for best Theoretical Book, Best Editorial Project and Best Erotic Publication just to name a few.
The comic book series ran for 14 issues between 1990 and 1991. Issue number 1 and 2 measure 10.25” x 6.75” in landscape format and issue numbers 3 thru to 14 are published in horizontal format.
Piratas do Tietê edition number 1 can be seen below, with the pirate donning a ‘Coca-Cola’ soft drink eye patch on the cover.
The Phantom makes an appearance as a parody in the comic book series, in the story titled ‘Vozes Da Selva’, which translates to ‘Jungle Voices’. The story is split across 3 editions, number 2, 3 and 4, all published in 1990. Diana Palmer and Guran are also featured in the comic strip.
Vozes Da Selva commences with edition number 2, containing 52 pages in total, with 9 pages dedicated to the Phantom.
#2
#3
#4
The Phantom 