History Main / JungleOpera

Although classic works often feature anthropology, archaeology, cryptozoology, paleontology and other sciences, most authors today seem to settle for focusing primarily on Ecology. This is due to the importance that environmentalism has gained and the need to fight real-world evils such as poaching, illegal logging or illegal mining. In all fairness, because the jungle is easier to explore than space, it’s understandable why the speculative elements of this genre would be avoided. Expect to also see a more limited cast of villains and {{Outlaw}}s as well. In classic stories [[ReligionOfEvil Cults]], Serial Killers, violent felons hiding from the law etc. we’re all common. Modern stories tend to feature environmental criminals like the EvilPoacher, but other RealLife villainsknown such as RuthlessModernPirates, HumanTraffickers, HiredGuns, Warlords, dangerous rogue or rebel soldiers, terrorists, actual cults, [[TheSyndicate Drug Cartels]] and various other {{Outlaw}}s have appeared as well with human traffickers having been most prominent before the rise of environmentalism.

Although classic works often feature anthropology, archaeology, cryptozoology, paleontology and other sciences, most authors today seem to settle for focusing primarily on Ecology. This is due to the importance that environmentalism has gained and the need to fight real-world evils such as poaching, illegal logging or illegal mining. In all fairness, because the jungle is easier to explore than space, it’s understandable why the speculative elements of this genre would be avoided. Expect to also see a more limited cast of villains and {{Outlaw}}s as well. In classic stories [[ReligionOfEvil Cults]], Serial Killers, violent felons hiding from the law etc. we’re all common. Modern stories tend to feature environmental criminals like the EvilPoacher, despite the fact the the jungle in RealLife is known for having RuthlessModernPirates, HumanTraffickers, HiredGuns, Warlords, dangerous rogue or rebel soldiers, terrorists, actual cults, [[TheSyndicate Drug Cartels]] and various other {{Outlaw}}s.

The genre could be considered one of the first genres in science fiction. Although speculative science fiction esc tails date all the way back to the second century, Robinson Caruso by Daniel Defoe could be considered the first in the genre, and it was written in the age of enlightenment, with several scientific themes. It was later picked up by Rudyard Kipling with TheJungleBook, which introduced many of the standards of worldbuilding [[{{Romanticism}} romantic]] themes that would come to define the genre. Shortly after came pulp with Tarzan and Doc Savage coming to define how we know the genre today.

Although classic works often feature anthropology, archaeology, cryptozoology, paleontology and other sciences, most authors today seem to settle for focusing primarily on Ecology. It might be because GreenAesop is considered easy to write and easy for a writer to use their story as an AuthorTract, despite political problems like poaching, illegal logging or illegal mining being much more complicated involving poverty and forced labor. In all fairness, because the jungle is easier to explore than space, it’s understandable why the speculative elements of this genre would be avoided. Expect to also see a more limited cast of villains and {{Outlaw}}s as well. In classic stories [[ReligionOfEvil Cults]], Serial Killers, violent felons hiding from the law etc. we’re all common. Modern stories tend to feature environmental criminals like the EvilPoacher, despite the fact the the jungle in RealLife is known for having RuthlessModernPirates, HumanTraffickers, HiredGuns, Warlords, dangerous rogue or rebel soldiers, terrorists, actual cults, [[TheSyndicate Drug Cartels]] and various other {{Outlaw}}s.

The key common point about the setting is that it is almost always set in a mysterious and lawless HungryJungle, largely unexplored by modern humans. DarkestAfrica, TheShangriLa and TropicalIslandAdventure are also common. Most always, the protagonist is an outsider, either a BoldExplorer, from a more developed part of the world, or they are RaisedByWolves or [[RaisedByNatives Natives]], but are still from somewhere else. Usually this is used as a means of connecting with the audience who is equally unfamiliar with the hostile environment, but a BadassNative is far from unwelcomed in this genre. Just because the protagonist is an outsider, that doesn't mean [[MightyWhitey they have to be white]]. Kipling's Mowgli was an Indian character. Still often expect to see a PrejudiceAesop for them if they live in the jungle.

See Also: TwoFistedTales, {Steampunk}. DieselPunk, PlanetaryRomance with which this trope usually overlaps. Characters: TarzanBoy, TempleOfDoom, and BoldExplorer.

There are two very different aesthetics depending on where the characters are from. BoldExplorer characters include, but are not limited to, the AdventurerArcheologist, GreatWhiteHunter and the ActionSurvivor. Usually their aesthetic includes the AdventurersOutfit, BFG, Fingerless Gloves and BootsOfToughness. Due to the overlap of this genre, seeing some {{Steampunk}}, DieselPunk or even UsedFuture can all appear depending on when and where the Jungle is. For jungle dwelling protagonist, expect the BadassNative, TarzanBoy or JunglePrincess and well as their ActionPet. Usually their asthetic includes, EarthyBarefootCharacter, Loincloth, FurBikini, and BraidsBeadsAndBuckskins (though a more exotic version), and using BambooTechnolgy, VineSwing, [[AnimalThemedFightingStyle Animal Themed Fighting Styles]] and CombatParkour often.

As mentioned before, this genre is known for it's action and violence, so stunts like BoundAndGagged, UnwillingSuspension, CapureByCannibals, ChasedByNatives, and HuntingTheMostDangerousGame, are all very common. Expect natural threats to include PantheraAwesome, PiranhaProblem, BigCreepyCrawlies and a PrehistoricMonster. Human threats commonly include the classic {{Outlaw}}, EgomaniacHunter, the similar (but distinct) EvilPoacher, RuthlessModernPirates, CannibalTribe or simple HollywoodNatives with a WitchDoctor conducting any form of HumanSacrifice. Due to this genre being so steaped in lawlessness and violence, AntiHero characters like HiredGuns, the VenturousSmuggler, and the RoguishPoacher might appear. Despite all of this, this genre usually takes advantage of it's setting, so expect some SceneryPorn.

The genre could be considered one of the first genres in science fiction. Although speculative science fiction esc tails date all the way back to the second century, Robinson Caruso by Daniel Defoe could be considered the first in the genre, and it was written in the age of enlightenment, with several scientific themes. It was later picked up by Rudyard Kipling with ''Literature/{TheJungleBook}'', who introduced many of the standards of worldbuilding [[{{Romanticism}} romantic]] themes that would come to define the genre. Shortly after came pulp with Tarzan and Doc Savage coming to define how we know the genre today.

This genre tends to be closer to science than HighFantasy, and generally avoids the massive religious and mythological themes of other science fiction stories. Sometimes there is even a conflict between a superstitious WitchDoctor and a more rational hero. This is not to say this genre never embraces the supernatural, as jungle spirits and [[OurCryptdidsAreMoreMysterious Crryptids]] also sometimes make an appearances. Even Creator/HPLovecraft wrote some of his CosmicHorror stories in this genre. This genre often features [[MacGuffin something for the explorer to look for]] as well, weather it be a LostTribe, an Ancient Treasure, an ArtifactOfDoom, [[FindTheCure The Cure]] or even [[GoBackToTheSource the civilization they came from]]

SeeAlso: TwoFistedTales, {Steampunk}. DieselPunk, PlanetaryRomance with which this trope usually overlaps.

See Also: TarzanBoy, JunglePrincess, TempleOfDoom, and BoldExplorer.

This is a speculative tale that takes place in undiscovered or semidiscovered country in the present or "recent" past (usually no earlier than the early 20th century), supposedly on this Earth, as opposed to, say, a HighFantasy in a [[MedievalEuropeanFantasy Medieval setting]], or a SpaceOpera in a far future-like setting. As the title indicates, it often takes place in a tropical rain forest, though that isn't necessary. The key point is that WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief is provided primarily by the use of settings that are regarded as exotic, mysterious, dangerous and above all, far away by most readers, yet still on this world, rather than providing a whole imaginary world "in a galaxy far away". A typical setting, for instance, might be HungryJungle, DarkestAfrica, TheShangriLa or TropicalIslandAdventure. There are occasional similarities with PlanetaryRomance; the two genres can each borrow tropes normally associated with the other, and there is potential for crossovers (aliens can, for instance, kidnap the intrepid explorers, or perhaps a Planetary Romance can have a story take place on a jungle planet). However, some elements of a Jungle Opera can be less flexible than other speculative sub-genres by the nature of operating in "closer proximity" (so to speak) to RealLife.

Jungle Operas tend to feature [[BoldExplorer Bold Explorers]], [[HollywoodNatives primitive locals]] (who tend to be [[ChasedByAngryNatives very territorial and angry]]), {{Precursors}}, [[LostColony Lost Colonies]], [[MacGuffin Ancient Artifacts]], and the like; [[TempleOfDoom ruins-filled-with-deathtraps]] is one of TheOldestOnesInTheBook. This will also often involve AncientAstronauts and have an AdventurerArchaeologist as one or more of the characters. Oddly enough, the experiences of RealLife explorers did sometimes bear a suspicious resemblance to this genre. We don't ''think'' that any secrets man was not meant to know have been discovered — not that anyone would admit it if there have been some. Maybe [[TheWorldIsNotReady the world is not yet ready]]?

Obviously, this genre barrows it's name sake from Space Opera, and because Space Opera is defined by a poem that distinguishes what is an is not in that genre, it would be fitting to have one here.

1. There is something valuable lost in the a distant and unexplored land.

3. This hero must encounter the most barbaric of monsters and peoples.

5. Through scenery as savage as it is breathtaking.

6. With blood flowing through its ancient rivers.

7. The hero must have companions as loyal as wolves.

8. And an adversary as predatorial as a leopard.

9. The sands of time sinking like quicksand.

10. Then all must be put right, but not ended.

Let's break this down:
1. There is something valuable lost in the a distant and unexplored land.
These stories occur far away. Sometimes this means only another contentment, but it often also means other planets, other times like eons past or eons in the future, or even another dimension. In any of these locations, something valuable or powerful is lost. This could range from a cure to a disease, a lost animal, to an ancient advanced city, a lost tribe or a powerful relic. It can even be the protagonist loosing home and having to survive until they can find a way back.

2. And an outsider, sharper than their blade, to find it.
Now we have the protagonist. They are often a bold explorer, and they are almost always outsiders. Even if they are indigenous to the area, they will still be an outsider somehow. Mowgli for example was indigenous to India, but he was still an outsider to the animal cast. Additionally, they are also always very intelligent, with acute senses, ingenuity and a sharp whit they must rely on more than their strength.

3. This hero must encounter the most barbaric of monsters and peoples.
This genre is about travel like a space opera, but unlike the space opera, its more focused on culturally different locations than physically different locations. These can be human or they can be animal, but each has their own cultures and customs. A great opportunity for worldbuilding.

4. Armed with tools of wood and rope.
The heroes are often closer to nature, and use less protection. Going barefoot without armor and handcrafted tools and shelters are all common here. Although this genre is often used for steampunk or adjacent to dieselpunk, expect these machines to be used more often by antagonists. The hero can still use bamboo technology, but the focus is usually more on their whit. Antagonists are far from nature, with even hostile tribes embracing skulls and images of death.

5. Through scenery as savage as it is breathtaking.
Touch the wrong plant, you will be pricked and poisoned. Step in the wrong place, you will sink or bitten. Interact with the wrong people, you will be kidnapped. Interact with the wrong animal, you will be eaten alive in a slow painful death. However, the scenery is still gorgeous. Expect a lot of scenery porn.
6. With blood flowing through its ancient rivers.
Violence is common in this genre. No one get a quick and humane death.

7. The hero must have companions as loyal as wolves.
These can be human, family, love interest or beast, but friendship is a common theme her. This line references Kipling's law of the jungle.
8. And an adversary as predatorial as a leopard.
The villains in this genre aren't some designated villain or green aesop accidentally hurting the jungle. They are dangerous, they know they are dangerous and they enjoy it. This can be an actual predatory beast, a disease, an egomaniac hunter, pirates, a competing archiologist, a warlord or a dangerous cult, but whatever it is, it's either a natural aspect of the savage environment that will kill you or a blatantly evil villain. Environmental and politically charged messages rarely work in this genre for this reason.

9. The sands of time sinking like quicksand.
There is a lot of suspense and a race against time.

10. Then all must be put right, but not ended.
This genre is always has potential for another advennture.

Often involves a LostWorld. In some versions the story is about a quest to find this, and a Lost World is a MacGuffinLocation. Also see TwoFistedTales, with which this trope usually overlaps.

See Also: TaxanBoy, JunglePrincess, TempleOfDoom, and BoldExplorer.

* The Adventureland sections of Ride/DisneyThemeParks are usually themed this way, often with a vaguely {{Mayincatec}}, DarkestAfrica, and/or EastIndies vibe to its architecture. Rides like Ride/JungleCruise and Ride/IndianaJonesAdventure put guests right into this type of story.

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* Franchise/{{Tintin}} had this every once in a while (''Tintin in the Congo'', ''Cigars of the Pharoah'', ''Prisoners of the Sun'') but ''Flight 714'' has this with a twist: [[spoiler:AncientAstronauts]].

* Many a [[ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse Scrooge McDuck]] story.
* The beginning of ''ComicBook/IronMan [[ComicBook/MarvelNoir Noir]]'' features this.

* Any ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'' comic that takes place in the Savage Land, home to ComicBook/KaZar.
* ''ComicBook/SensationComics'': The Franchise/WonderWoman feature "In the Clutches of Nero" is about an anthropologist from Holliday College going to a recently discovered jungle island with three of his students and trying to learn about the natives there, who prove to be quite hostile.

* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'' briefly tried its hand at this trope with Safari Al, an imaginary alter ego for Calvin. Evidently, creator Bill Watterson didn't feel there was much there, as he only ever wrote one strip, with Al encountering a [[KingKongCopy giant gorilla]] (actually [[AndYouWereThere Calvin's mother]]), and Al never became a mainstay of Calvin's imaginary adventures like [[SuperHero Stupendous Man]], [[SpaceOpera Spaceman Spiff]], or [[NoirEpisode Tracer Bullet]].

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]

* ''WesternAnimation/MissingLink'' has elements of this, although it's not entirely set in the jungle.
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnoldTheJungleMovie'' has Arnold and friends exploring the fictional country of San Lorenzo and exploring ancient South American ruins to find Arnold’s long-lost parents.

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* ''Franchise/IndianaJones'' is the example everyone remembers.
* ''Film/TheLibrarian'' is a satirical version.
* ''Film/GreenMansions'' is a romance in the jungle for a large part, but the protagonists are also ChasedByAngryNatives for most of the third act.
* Parts of ''Film/GungaDin'', what with the lost temple and all.
* ''Film/TheMummyTrilogy''
* ''Secret of the Incas'', which was a major inspiration for the adventures of [[Franchise/IndianaJones Dr. Jones]].

* ''Film/CarryOnUpTheJungle'' is a parody of this, with the exploring party having different reasons of being on the trip, such as searching for missing people, and looking for exotic birds

* ''Film/ShandraTheJungleGirl''
* Aspects of this trope turn up in Creator/RayHarryhausen's movies about Literature/SinbadTheSailor (which are otherwise SeaStories with an ArabianNightsDays fantasy setting), particularly the latter two, ''Film/TheGoldenVoyageOfSinbad'' (which involves [[HollywoodNatives green-skinned primitive tribespeople]], the lost civilization of Lemuria, and a FountainOfYouth) and ''Film/SinbadAndTheEyeOfTheTiger'' (which involves the tropical LostWorld of Hyperborea hidden past Arctic ice, and populated by [[FrazettaMan giant cavemen]] and sabre-tooth cats).
** Later on in his career, Harryhausen also had an [[WhatCouldHaveBeen unrealized idea]] for a movie adaptation of Creator/HRiderHaggard's novel ''People of the Mist'' (already a classic Jungle Opera story, and evidence suggests Harryhausen was planning to ramp up the fantasy elements with more monsters), but he couldn't find a studio that had faith in this type of old-timey adventure story (ironically, ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk'' would open shortly [[ItWillNeverCatchOn to spectacular success]]). This was one of the last films Harryhausen would try to make before finally announcing his retirement. All that exists of ''People of the Mist'' is some of Harryhausen's concept art, but it is [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ray_harryhausen_concept_art_people_of_the_mist_1.jpg truly]] [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ray_harryhausen_concept_art_people_of_the_mist_2.jpg spectacular]].
* Every version of ''Film/KingKong'' has elements of this. ''Film/KongSkullIsland'' is probably the most straightforward example, as that film is set almost entirely on the eponymous island.

* ''Film/BlondeSavage''
* ''Film/JungleCruise'' is a modern version, featuring a British explorer and her brother delving deep into the jungle, along with the help of a sarcastic skipper, to discover hidden secrets deep within it. It has a few updates for the modern age, such as the [[HollywoodNatives local native people]] [[spoiler: putting on a "scary native people" act to scare the explorer off, with the skipper very much being in cahoots with them]].
[[/folder]]

* ''Literature/TheJungleBook'' by Creator/RudyardKipling.
* ''Literature/KingSolomonsMines'' by Creator/HRiderHaggard is the UrExample.
* [[Creator/ArthurConanDoyle Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s ''Literature/TheLostWorld1912'' probably counts. The heroes end up on a lost plateau in the South American jungle with dinosaurs, ape-men, diamonds and EverythingTryingToKillYou.
* ''Literature/{{Tarzan}}'' by Creator/EdgarRiceBurroughs. One of the most widely-adapted characters ''ever'', he also appeared in Comic Strips, Comic Books, Radio, Television (both live-action and animated), and of course Film (again, both live-action and animated). There was even a loosely-based Anime series, "Jungle King Tar-chan".
* The ''Jack West'' series by Creator/MatthewReilly.

* ''Literature/OGuarani'' by José De Alencar
* ''Literature/DocSavage''

* In ''Literature/AlanMendelsohnTheBoyFromMars'', the heroes travel through a portal into AnotherDimension, the LostWorld of Waka Waka. Waka Waka is a tropical, jungle environment, built on the ruins of an ancient, great civilization, but now the inhabitants hide in the shadows from a mysterious beast controlled by alien invaders. It's something of a parody of the genre, as the heroes aren't dashing explorers but pre-teen boys who simply happen to be more competent than all the adults. Life in Waka Waka is pretty boring, and the solution to their problems turns out to be pretty mundane.
* Creator/ClarkAshtonSmith's Hyperborea stories are a borderline case. Rightly, they could more be called SwordAndSorcery stories with a HungryJungle setting, since they're set in TheTimeOfMyths - a LostWorld in the process of [[JustBeforeTheEnd becoming lost]] - and don't feature any MightyWhitey European or American explorers, but they're full to the brim with Jungle Opera tropes like [[TempleOfDoom dangerous abandoned cities]], cave-dwelling [[BeastMan beast men]], occasional LivingDinosaurs, and more. Notably, the first of these stories, ''The Tale of Satampra Zeiros'', is about a pair of {{bold explorer}}s in the abandoned former capital of their ''own'' nation.

* ''Series/TalesOfTheGoldMonkey.''

* ''Series/TheLostWorld2001'' is a somewhat revisionist take on this genre, deconstructing a lot of the imperialist politics from [[Literature/TheLostWorld1912 the book]], while still preserving the adventure and all the LivingDinosaurs.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Gurps}}'' volume ''Cliffhangers'' has a lot about this kind of story and how to draw a typical plot of this kind.
* ''TabletopGame/SpiritOfTheCentury'' frequently visits this territory.
* The historical wargame ''The Sword and the Flame'' has a DarkestAfrica variant where this applies in spades -- literally, as turning a card tells you whether one of your units has just met Livingstone, been attacked by a lion, or heard drums that cause you to lose a turn in fear.

* It's not uncommon for roleplaying games to deliberately aim at this trope while avoiding the UnfortunateImplications by virtue of taking place in another world that's ''exactly like'' a Jungle Opera.
** The theme of Venus in ''TabletopGame/RocketAge'', though Ganymede could also qualify.
** The genre is evoked by the classic ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' adventure ''Isle of Dread'', the less-classic ''Isle of the Ape'' and the fairly recent ''Tomb of Annihilation''.
** The ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' adventure path ''Serpent's Skull'' (exploring ancient temples in the jungle) wallows in the tropes of JungleOpera [[spoiler: (though the AncientAstronauts are replaced by earthbound reptilian {{Precursors}}).]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Uncharted}}'', particularly in ''[[VideoGame/Uncharted2AmongThieves Among Thieves]]'', [[spoiler: it even has TheShangriLa!]].
* ''Franchise/TombRaider.'' Travel to exotic locations, explore ancient ruins, fight [[LostWorld dinosaurs]] for some reason.

* ''VideoGame/GreenHell'' is a SurvivalSandbox set in the Amazon, with an underlying plot about finding a miracle drug based on native medicine.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' has the [[ShowWithinAShow in-universe book series]] "JustForFun/DaringDo", which is heavily based on ''Franchise/IndianaJones''.

* ''Franchise/DocSavage''

Jungle Operas tend to feature [[BoldExplorer Bold Explorers]], [[HollywoodNatives primitive locals]], {{Precursors}}, [[LostColony Lost Colonies]], [[MacGuffin Ancient Artifacts]], and the like; [[TempleOfDoom ruins-filled-with-deathtraps]] is one of TheOldestOnesInTheBook. This will also often involve AncientAstronauts and have an AdventurerArchaeologist as one or more of the characters. Oddly enough, the experiences of RealLife explorers did sometimes bear a suspicious resemblance to this genre. We don't ''think'' that any secrets man was not meant to know have been discovered — not that anyone would admit it if there have been some. Maybe [[TheWorldIsNotReady the world is not yet ready]]?

* Played surprisingly straight in ''Film/{{The Jungle Book|1994}}'', considering it was made in 1994. It's been said that it feels more like a Tarzan movie than a ''Jungle Book'' adaptation, as it focuses mostly on Mowgli's interactions with human characters (including British colonists in Africa), and his various animal friends don't talk.

* Aspects of this trope turn up in Creator/RayHarryhausen's movies about Literature/SinbadTheSailor (which are otherwise SeaStories with an ArabianNights fantasy setting), particularly the latter two, ''Film/TheGoldenVoyageOfSinbad'' (which involves [[HollywoodNatives green-skinned primitive tribespeople]], the lost civilization of Lemuria, and a FountainOfYouth) and ''Film/SinbadAndTheEyeOfTheTiger'' (which involves the tropical LostWorld of Hyperborea hidden past Arctic ice, and populated by [[FrazettaMan giant cavemen]] and sabre-tooth cats).
** Later on in his career, Harryhausen also had an [[WhatCouldHaveBeen unrealized idea]] for a movie called ''People of the Mist'', that would have played this trope to the hilt, but he couldn't find a studio that had faith in this type of old-timey adventure story (ironically, ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk'' would open shortly [[ItWillNeverCatchOn to spectacular success]]). This was one of the last films Harryhausen would try to make before finally announcing his retirement. All that exists of ''People of the Mist'' is some of Harryhausen's concept art, but it is [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ray_harryhausen_concept_art_people_of_the_mist_1.jpg truly]] [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ray_harryhausen_concept_art_people_of_the_mist_2.jpg spectacular]].

* Creator/ClarkAshtonSmith's Hyperborea stories are a borderline case. Rightly, they could more be called SwordAndSorcery stories with a HungryJungle setting, since they're set in TheTimeOfMyths - a LostWorld in the process of [[JustBeforeTheEnd becoming lost]] - and don't feature any MightyWhitey European or American explorers, but they're full to the brim with Jungle Opera tropes like [[TempleOfDoom dangerous abandoned cities]], cave-dwelling [[BeastMan beast men]], occasional LivingDinosaurs, and more. Notably, the first of these stories, ''The Tale of Satampra Zeiros'', is about a pair of {{bold explorer}}s in the abandoned former capital of their own nation.

* ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' is this [[RecycledInSpace in space]]

* Played surprisingly straight in ''Film/{{The Jungle Book|1994}}'', considering it was made in 1994. It's been said that it feels more like a Tarzan movie than a ''Jungle Book'' adaptation, as it focuses mostly on Mowgli's interactions with human characters (including British colonists in Africa), and his various animal friends don't talk

* ''Literature/{{Tarzan}}'' by Creator/EdgarRiceBurroughs.

* Any ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'' comic that takes place in the Savage Land, home to Ka-Zar.

This is a speculative tale that takes place in undiscovered or semidiscovered country in the present or "recent" past (usually no earlier than the early 20th century), supposedly on this Earth, as opposed to, say, a HighFantasy in a [[MedievalEuropeanFantasy Medieval setting]], or a SpaceOpera in a far future-like setting. As the title indicates, it often takes place in a tropical rain forest, though that isn't necessary. The key point is that WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief is provided primarily by the use of settings that are regarded as exotic, mysterious, dangerous and above all, far away by most readers, yet still on this world, rather than providing a whole imaginary world "in a galaxy far away". A typical setting, for instance, might be TheAmazon, DarkestAfrica, TheShangriLa or TropicalIslandAdventure. There are occasional similarities with PlanetaryRomance; the two genres can each borrow tropes normally associated with the other, and there is potential for crossovers (aliens can, for instance, kidnap the intrepid explorers, or perhaps a Planetary Romance can have a story take place on a jungle planet). However, some elements of a Jungle Opera can be less flexible than other speculative sub-genres by the nature of operating in "closer proximity" (so to speak) to RealLife.

* The beginning of ''ComicBook/IronMan Noir'' features this.