Mandrake the Magician is a U.S. comic strip created in 1934 by Lee Falk (also creator of The Phantom) and mainly appearing in syndication in newspapers. Falk soon gave the job of drawing the comic strip to artist Phil Davis, while continuing to write the storylines. Davis worked on the strip until his death in 1964; Falk then recruited current artist Fred Fredericks. On Falk's death in 1999, Fredericks took over writing the strip as well. Mandrake is widely believed to have been the first bona fide superhero.^[1] King Features 1951 Christmas card King Features Syndicate, a print syndication company owned by The Hearst Corporation, distributes about 150 comic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and games to nearly 5000 newspapers around the world. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to first comic book to feature a character. ... is the 162nd day of the year (163rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... This article is about the comic strip, the sequential art form as published in newspapers and on the Internet. ... Leon Harrison Gross, more known by the alias of Lee Falk, (April 28, 1911 - March 13, 1999) was an American writer, best known as the creator of the popular comic strip superheroes The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, who at the height of their popularity secured him over a hundred... For other uses, see Phantom. ... Print Syndication is a form of syndication in which news articles, columns, or comic strips are made available to newspapers and magazines. ... Phil Davis was a US cartoonist, born 1906, died 1964. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... This article is about the year. ... For other uses, see Superhero (disambiguation). ...

Mandrake was an illusionist whose work was based on an impossibly fast hypnotic technique. As the narrator informed us: "Mandrake gestured hypnotically" and the subject or subjects of this hypnosis would suddenly see the illusions he wanted. Mandrake fought criminals and other villains in his spare time. This would include common gangsters, mad scientists, and aliens from outer space or other dimensions. Magician redirects here. ... For the novel by Lucas Hyde, see Hypnosis (novel). ...

Having previously appeared in cartoons, radio plays, and serials, a movie based on Mandrake with actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers is set to start filming in 2008. Cartoons started in the 1930s and 40s. ... Radio drama (audio drama), which had its greatest popularity in the United States and in most other countries before the spread of television, depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the story in her or his minds eye. In the television era, some audio... This article is about serials in fiction. ... JRM redirects here. ...

Other characters

Supporting characters

Lothar is Mandrake's best friend and crime-fighting companion.

Mandrake the Magician daily strip from 2002. Art by Fred Fredericks.

In the comic strip, Mandrake first met Lothar during his travels in Africa. Lothar was then "Prince of the Seven Nations", a mighty federation of jungle tribes, but passed on the chance to become king and instead followed Mandrake on his world travels, fighting crime and villains from all over the world (and the rest of the universe as well). He is often referred to as the strongest man in the world with the exception of perhaps Hojo - Mandrake's chef and secret chief of Inter Intel. Image File history File links Mandrake the Magician daily strip from 2002. ... Image File history File links Mandrake the Magician daily strip from 2002. ... See also Comic strip and Sunday strip. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Fred Fredericks is a cartoonist, who has drawn the Mandrake the Magician cartoon for over 40 years. ...

Perhaps one of the first black crime-fighting heroes ever to appear in comics, Lothar made his first appearance alongside Mandrake in 1934 in the inaugural daily strip. Mandrake and Lothar are generally recognized as the world's first interracial team of crime-fighters.

In the beginning, Lothar was little more than Mandrake's servant. He spoke poor English, wore a fez, short pants and a leopard skin. His muscles far exceeded his mental abilities. But despite that, Lothar was still recognized early on as Mandrake's equal by the readers. When artist Fred Fredericks took over in 1965 (after original artist Phil Davis had died), Lothar was modernized; he began to speak correct English and his clothing changed, although he still often wears shirts with leopard skin patterns.

Narda is of royal blood; she is Princess of the European nation Cockaigne (today ruled by her brother Segrid). She made her first appearance in the second Mandrake story. Although she and Mandrake were infatuated with one another from first sight, they didn't marry until 1997, when it was an extravagant triple wedding ceremony-- at Mandrake's home of Xanadu, in Narda's home country Cockaigne, and Mandrake's father Theron's College of Magic (Collegium Magikos) in the Himalayas. Pieter Bruegel the Elders „Das Schlaraffenland“ (The Land of Cockaigne), painted in 1567. ...

Theron is Mandrake's father, although this was a secret to Mandrake for a long time. Mandrake's mother died shortly after she gave birth to Mandrake and his twin brother Derek. Theron is the headmaster of the College of Magic (Collegium Magikos) somewhere in the Himalayas. Theron is hundreds of years old, probably due to the energy of the powerful Mind Crystal of which he is the guardian.

Hojo is Mandrake's chef at his home of Xanadu. However, he is also the secret Chief of the international crime-fighting organization Inter-Intel, in addition to being a superb martial arts expert. As such, he has used Mandrake's help with many cases. Hojo's assistant at Inter-Intel is Jed.

The Police Chief is named Bradley but mostly just called "Chief", and has been aided by Mandrake on several occasions. He created the "S.S.D." (Silly Stuff Dept.) for absurd and unbelievable cases that only Mandrake could solve. He has a son, Chris.

Magnon is Mandrake's most powerful friend. He is the emperor of a million planets but even he has sometimes needed Mandrake's help. Magnon and his wife Carola have a daughter, Nardraka, who is named after Mandrake and Narda and is their godchild.

Lenore is Mandrake's younger half-sister. She is a world-renowned explorer.

Karma is Lothar's girlfriend, an African princess, who works as a model.

Villains

The Cobra is Mandrake's most evil and dangerous foe. He made his first appearance in the very first Mandrake story. In a story from 1937, the Cobra was apparently defeated; however, he returned with a vengeance in a story from 1965. This time hiding his face (scarred and disfigured in battle with Mandrake) behind a menacing silver mask. The Cobra's main goal is to get his hands on one of the two powerful Crystal Cubes that are guarded by Mandrake and his father Theron. Mandrake then learned that The Cobra's true identity was Lucifer, Theron's oldest son - thus making The Cobra Mandrake's half-brother. In later years, the Cobra has abandoned his silver mask as his face has been reconstructed through surgery. The Cobra is sometimes accompanied by his assistant Ud.

Derek is Mandrake's twin brother, and although similar to his brother in appearance, is totally different when it comes to morals and ethics. Derek is only after money and women and gladly uses his magical powers (that almost rival Mandrake's) to achieve his own personal goals. Mandrake has many times tried to remove Derek's knowledge of magic through mental battles, although it has always been only temporary solutions. Derek has a son, Eric (mother unknown) who so far has shown no signs of following in his father's footsteps.

The Clay Camel, real name Saki, is a master of disguises. He is known to be able to mimic anyone and change his appearance in seconds. His name comes from the symbol he leaves at the scenes of his crimes, a small camel made of clay.

The Brass Monkey, daughter of The Clay Camel with a similar talent for disguises.

Aleena the Enchantress is a former friend of Mandrake's from the College of Magic, a much-married spoilt temptress, who now prefers to use her magic powers for her own benefit. This includes trying to win Mandrake's heart, but when that doesn't succeed, she gladly tries to bring him trouble instead.

8 is an old and very powerful crime organization with roots to medieval times. Long thought to be dead and no more than a myth, Mandrake discovered that the organization is very much alive. They are known to often incorporate the number 8 in their crimes or leave the number 8 as a mark. They are organized like an octopus with eight arms (headquarters) spread out all over the world, and one head (the grim and mysterious leader Octon, only shown as a menacing image on a computer screen). Over the years, Mandrake has succeeded in destroying their headquarters one by one. In one of the stories the Octon of 8 is revealed as Cobra. For other uses, see Octopus (disambiguation). ...

Ekardnam ('Mandrake' backwards) is Mandrake's "evil twin", who exists on the other side of the mirror. Like his world (where the government is run by the "Private of the Armies", and generals do menial work like running the elevators), Ekardnam is an exact opposite, i.e., evil and treacherous, and uses his "evil eye" powers to work his magic. He was seen when Narda was drawn into the mirror, an adventure that may have been only a bad dream.

The Deleter is one of the most unusual of Mandrake's foes. He is an extraterrestrial contract killer who will "delete" anyone for the right price. However, he does have a code-of-honor, and will seek justice for anyone who tries to cheat him out of his contract fee.

Comic books

Phil Davis drew the comic strip for three decades.

Mandrake had a prominent role in Magic Comics and Big Little Books of the 1930s and 1940s. Dell Comics published a Mandrake the Magician issue in their Four Color comic series with various main characters. The Mandrake issue was #752 and featured original stories by unknown creators. Image File history File links Panel from 1930s Mandrake the Magician daily strip. ... Image File history File links Panel from 1930s Mandrake the Magician daily strip. ... Phil Davis was a US cartoonist, born 1906, died 1964. ... Dell Comics was the comic book publishing arm of Dell Publications, which got its start in pulp magazines. ... One of the earlier issues of Four Color, featuring Walt Disneys Donald Duck. ...

In 1966-67 King Comics published ten issues of a Mandrake the Magician comic magazine. Most of the stories were remakes of newspaper strip stories, and featured art by Andre LeBlanc, Ray Bailey and others. Mandrake stories also ran as back-up features in other King titles. King Comics was a short-lived comic book imprint of King Features Syndicate, and an attempt by King to publish comics of their own characters, rather then thru other publishers. ... André LeBlanc is a fictional character, the name of a DC Comics jewelry thief. ... Raymond Frederick Bailey (born; 25 November 1935, Rossarden) is a former member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council. ...

Italian publisher Fratelli Spada produced a considerable amount of original Mandrake comic book stories in the 1960s and 1970s. A few of these were even published in the American Mandrake comic book mentioned above.

Marvel released a Mandrake mini-series in 1995, written by Mike W. Barr and with painted art by Rob Ortaleza. However, only two of three planned issues were published. This article is about the comic book company. ... Mike W. Barr, also referred to as Mike Barr, is a notable writer of comic books, mystery novels, and science fiction. ...

Mandrake has also enjoyed great success in comic books all over the world, for example Britain, Australia, Brazil, India, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden (although in the case of the Nordic countries, most often as a back up feature in the Phantom comic books). For other uses, see Phantom. ...

Mandrake is popular in India through Indrajal Comics. Indrajal Comics was a series launched by the publisher of The Times of India, Bennet, Coleman & Co in March of 1964. ...

In Mad Magazine in the 1950s, Mandrake was spoofed as "Manduck." He lives in a hovel, which he convinces visitors is a palatial home by 'gesturing hypnotically.' In the story he matches wits with The Shadow; he, Lothar, and The Shadow all gesture hypnotically at each other and only Lothar (looking like Manduck) remains. In a later article, Manduck pulls off the (enviable!) trick of turning Lothar into a six-foot-tall blond woman. Harvey Kurtzmans cover for the first issue of the comic book Mad Mad is an American humor magazine founded by publisher William Gaines and editor Harvey Kurtzman in 1952. ... This article is about the fictional character. ... Diverse women. ...

Mandrake is also set to be featured together with the Phantom in The Phantom Annual #2, written by Mike Bullock and Kevin Grevioux and published by Moonstone Books. For other uses, see Phantom. ... // Mike Bullock (musician, comic book writer) Mike Bullock is an award-winning writer of poetry and creative fiction, a published lyricist and an accomplished non-fiction writer. ... Kevin Grevioux Kevin Grevioux (born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent most of his childhood in Minnesota, Boston, and New Jersey) is an American actor, screenwriter, comic book writer. ... Moonstone Books is a comic book publisher based in Chicago. ...

In other media

Radio

On radio as a 15-minute program, Mandrake the Magician aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System from November 11, 1940, until February 6, 1942. Originally a three-day-a-week serial, it expanded to five days a week in 1941. Uttering the incantation "invovo legem magicarum" was Raymond Edward Johnson who starred as Mandrake. Juano Hernandez portrayed Lothar, and Francesca Lenni took the role of Princess Narda. The series was directed by Carlo De Angelo. The Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS) was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Raymond Edward Johnson (July 24, 1911 – August 15, 2001) was an American radio and stage actor best remembered for his work on Inner Sanctum. ...

Movie poster from the 1939 movie serial

Image File history File links Movie poster from the 1939 Mandrake the Magician movie serial. ...

1939 movie serial

In 1939, Columbia produced a 12-part Mandrake the Magician, based on the King Features strip, starring Warren Hull as Mandrake and Al Kikume as Lothar. The serial is widely available on DVD.

On Television

NBC made a pilot for a Mandrake the Magician TV series in 1954, but no other episodes were made. Stage magician Coe Norton starred as Mandrake and Woody Strode as Lothar. Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode (born July 25, 1914, Los Angeles, California; died December 31, 1994) was a decathlete and football star at UCLA before becoming a pioneering African-American film actor. ...

Anthony Herrera had the title role in the TV movie Mandrake (1979) with Ji-Tu Cumbuka as Lothar. Magician Harry Blackstone Jr. was featured in the cast. Anthony Herrera (born January 19, American actor. ... Harry Blackstone, Jr. ...

In the animated series Defenders of the Earth (1986-1987), Mandrake the Magician teams up with fellow King Features adventurers Flash Gordon and The Phantom. Mandrake's friend Lothar also has a prominent role, as well as a teenage son nicknamed L.J. who was also a martial artist. On the other hand, Mandrake has an adoptive son of Asian blood named Kshin, whom he's training as his apprentice and heir. Peter Renaday was the voice of Mandrake and Buster Jones the voice of Lothar. The entire series has been released by BCI/Eclipse in two DVD sets. Defenders of the Earth is an animated television series of the 1980s featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features Syndicate — Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Mandrake the Magician — battling the Flash Gordon villain Ming the Merciless in the year 2015. ... King Features Syndicate is a syndication company owned by The Hearst Corporation; it distributes about 150 comic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and games to thousands of newspapers around the world. ... For other uses, see Flash Gordon (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Phantom. ... Peter Renaday (born June 9, 1935 in Louisiana as Pierre L. Renoudet) is an American voice actor. ... Edward L. Buster Jones is an American voice actor. ...

In the animated series Phantom 2040, featuring a future Phantom, Mandrake has a brief, unnamed appearance in the episode "The Magician". He is presented as an old friend of that Phantom's father, and his remarkably well-preserved shape is compatible with the longevity-conferring properties of the Crystals. Phantom 2040 is an animated science fiction television series loosely based on the comic strip hero The Phantom, created by Lee Falk. ...

Unrealized and unauthorized projects

An unauthorized Mandrake movie produced in Turkey was made in 1967, Mandrake Killing'e karsi, directed by Oksal Pekmezoglu and starring Güven Erte as Mandrake.

In the 1960s, Federico Fellini, a close friend of creator Lee Falk, intended to make a Mandrake movie, but the project never got off the ground. Federico Fellini (January 20, 1920 – October 31, 1993) was one of the most influential and widely revered film-makers of the 20th century. ... Leon Harrison Gross, more known by the alias of Lee Falk, (April 28, 1911 - March 13, 1999) was an American writer, best known as the creator of the popular comic strip superheroes The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, who at the height of their popularity secured him over a hundred...

Within two weeks of signing with his first agent, American filmmaker Michael Almereyda was hired by Embassy Pictures to rewrite a script for Mandrake the Magician. He told Filmmaker that upon receiving the assignment, he flew to New York and checked himself in at the Chelsea Hotel to work on the rewrite. Three weeks later, he emerged with new draft in hand, but by then the studio had changed heads, and in as little time as his revision took, the project was dropped.^[2] Michael Almereyda (born 1960 in Overland Park, Kansas) is an American film director. ... Embassy Pictures Corporation (aka Embassy Film Associates) was an independent studio and distributor responsible for such films as The Graduate and The Lion in Winter. ... A well-known residence for artists, musicians and writers, the Hotel Chelsea is located in the neighborhood of Chelsea in New York City. ...

Theatre

The musical Mandrake the Magician and the Enchantress was produced during the late 1970s at the Lenox Arts Festival in Massachusetts with music by George Quincy, book by Lee Falk and Thayer Burch, and lyrics by Thayer Burch. Leon Harrison Gross, more known by the alias of Lee Falk, (April 28, 1911 - March 13, 1999) was an American writer, best known as the creator of the popular comic strip superheroes The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, who at the height of their popularity secured him over a hundred...

Mandrake is also a character in the play King Kong Palace, written by Chilean playwriter Marco Antonio de la Parra. In the play, Mandrake is now a performer in birthday parties and attempts to seduce Jane, the ambitious wife of Tarzan, in order to satisfy his lust for power. For other uses, see Tarzan (disambiguation). ...

Upcoming movie

Baldwin Entertainment Group and Hyde Park Entertainment have bought the rights to make a Mandrake movie, to be directed by Chuck Russell, director of such films as Eraser, The Mask, and The Scorpion King. No release date have been confirmed. The two companies also own the rights to Lee Falk's The Phantom. Jonathan Rhys Meyers, star of such films as Mission Impossible III and Match Point, is on board the project as the title character.^[3] Chuck Russell, born May 9, 1958, is an American film director, film producer and actor. ... For other uses, see Eraser (disambiguation). ... The Mask originated as comic book series by publisher Dark Horse Comics. ... The Scorpion King is a 2002 film starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kelly Hu, Steven Brand, Ralf Moeller, and Grant Heslov, and is directed by Chuck Russell. ... For other uses, see Phantom. ... JRM redirects here. ... Mission: Impossible III is the upcoming third movie based on the television series Mission: Impossible directed by Alias creator J. J. Abrams. ... Match Point is an Academy Award-nominated 2005 film written and directed by Woody Allen and starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Matthew Goode, Brian Cox and Penelope Wilton. ...

Software

A software company called MandrakeSoft started in France in 1998. Their biggest product was the GNU/Linux distribution Mandrake Linux. In February 2004, MandrakeSoft lost a court case against Hearst Corporation, owners of King Features Syndicate. Hearst contends that MandrakeSoft is infringing upon King Features' trademarked character Mandrake the Magician. The word Mandrake is not unique to the King Features character, and MandrakeSoft appealed the decision. However, the Linux-tool Lothar which was developed in a project sponsored by MandrakeSoft also has a name inspired by the comic strip, where Lothar is the longtime friend of Mandrake the Magician. The use of a magician's top hat and magic wand in images and logos also showed that MandrakeSoft wanted to associate the name with a magician, and not (for example) the mandrake root. Consequently, the company and its product have changed names to Mandriva and Mandriva Linux' respectively. GNU (pronounced ) is a computer operating system composed entirely of free software. ... A Linux distribution, often simply distribution or distro, is a member of the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems comprising the Linux kernel, the non-kernel parts of the GNU operating system, and assorted other software. ... Hearst Tower, in September 2006 The Hearst Corporation is a privately-held American-based media conglomerate based in the Hearst Tower in New York City, USA. Founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, the companys holdings now include a wide variety of media. ... King Features 1951 Christmas card King Features Syndicate, a print syndication company owned by The Hearst Corporation, distributes about 150 comic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and games to nearly 5000 newspapers around the world. ... Mandrake may refer to: The plant Mandrake The Harry Potter mandrake plant. ... Duke Ellington wearing a top hat. ... The giant Galligantua and the wicked old magician transform the dukes daughter into a white hind. ... Species Mandragora autumnalis Mandragora officinarum Mandragora turcomanica Mandragora caulescens Mandrake is the common name for members of the plant genus Mandragora belonging to the nightshades family (Solanaceae). ... Mandriva (merger of Mandrakesoft, Lycoris, and Conectiva) is a French software company, and creator of Mandriva Linux. ... Mandriva Linux (formerly Mandrakelinux or Mandrake Linux) is a Linux distribution created by Mandriva (formerly Mandrakesoft). ...

Leon Mandrake

Leon Mandrake, the stage magician, who was known for his top hat, pencil line moustache and scarlet-lined cape, bears a strong resemblance to the comic strip character. In fact, Leon Mandrake had been performing for well over ten years before Lee Falk introduced the comic strip character and today most people would acknowledge the striking resemblance between them. Many diverse sources assert that the comic character was drawn to resemble Leon. Davis did meet Leon Mandrake; they became good friends and corresponded for years afterwards. Leon Mandrake, (1911 - 1993) - Canadian-born magician. ...

Reprints

• Dragon Lady Press reprinted a 1937 Mandrake daily story in Classic Adventure Strips #1.
• Pacific Comics Club reprinted two Mandrake daily stories from 1938 Feature Books #18 and #23.
• Nostalgia Press published a hardback book reprinting two 1938 daily stories.
• Pioneer Comics reprinted a large number of Mandrake stories in comic book form.
• Comics Revue has reprinted several Mandrake daily stories.
• JAL Publications has reprinted several Mandrake stories

Toronto-based Dragon Lady Press was the publishing wing of the Dragon Lady Comics store. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Comics Revue is a monthly small press comic book published by Manuscript Press. ...

References

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Comic World - Archive of Indian Mandrake Publication(Indrajal Comics)
• Indrajal Comics Club - Complete source of online and downloadable Indrajal Comics including Mandrake
• Mandrake the Magician at King Features, includes facts and the option of reading comic strip stories free online
• Toonopedia entry
• Xanadu - extensive website dedicated to Mandrake the Magician
• The 21st Phantom's Deep Woods - Phantom fan site that provides access to current and archived online Mandrake comic strips.
• Indrajal Comics Club - Complete source of online and downloadable Indrajal Comics including Mandrake
• Discussion forum dedicated to the Phantom and Mandrake
• Chuck Russell to direct Mandrake movie