My Rating
“Danger Drive To Xanadu”
Through thick and thin, security gates, and treacherous mountain roads Narda did drive. Her destination was the secret sanctuary of Earth’s mightiest sorcerer, Mandrake the Magician. Will she survive all the pitfalls that stand in her way to Xanadu?
“Menace Of The City Jungle!”
New York City has become an urban jungle of crime and terror. While the police are overwhelmed fighting gangs in the neighborhoods and business district, the city parks are overwhelmed by two-bit hoods and killers. Who will help restore order? Mandrake the Magician and friends!
Can the world’s most notable magician use his gifts of illusion to stop those who wish harm on his fellow New Yorkers? Will fellow police officers accept Lothar the jungleman as one of their own? Which skill set works best in crime fighting, magic or muscle?
“SOS Phantom”
Bangalla – Africa, the jungle drums have been restless all night. The son of a local Chieftain was mauled by a bloodthirsty leopard three nights earlier. Now the wounded boy has wandered off into the canopy cover, sick with fever. All of the tribe is on the hunt for their leader’s heir but time is of the essence.
One more distress call goes out to the four winds. The drums beckon for the aid of the ghost who walks. As the sun sets across the African plains, the Phantom races out into the jungle on his white stallion Hero. His trusty wolf Devil is not far behind!
“Meet The Man – Lee Falk”
This is a nice expose on the creator of Mandrake the Magician and the Phantom. From his various trips to foreign countries, to his inspirations for early action movies, Lee Falk was an early pioneer in the superhero comic book realm. This article is a must for any Mandrake fan out there.
“The Flying Phantom!”
Frauds?! The wealthy elite across the New York skyline have been reporting bizarre robberies at their penthouse apartments. But how is the thief getting to them? Flying carpets! Wait, whaaat?
As the outlandish crime spree continues the police and insurance companies have their hands tied. Is this just a hoax? It’s time for Mandrake the Magician and his friends to solve the mystery of the Flying Phantom!
“The House Of Wonders”
Come, take a look at Mandrake’s high-tech headquarters. It has everything from an advanced laboratory, crime computers, to defensive systems for repelling those who would do harm. This is Xanadu. Welcome to Mandrake’s home!
Reviewer Notes
Wow, what a blast from the past. Lee Falk and King Comics released a real winner with Mandrake the Magician. With art by Don Heck and Bill Lignante, this book is superbly done.
In this introductory issue, readers get introduced to some of the key heroes in the Mandrake-verse. Of those, we see beautiful Narda, the hulking jungleman Lothar, and a cast of various New York police officers.
As a bonus, King Comics gives the fans a brief story featuring the ghost who walks, Kit Walker – the Phantom. Evildoers, watch out when you visit the African jungles. You are being watched.
Mandrake the Magician #1 is a very well produced comic book with a lot of content to keep the kids busy for an afternoon. I don’t have many Mandrake books in my collection, but this one does deserve to be collected and revered. I give it five out of five stars. The silver age of comic books truly did have some gems.
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