{"id":31897,"date":"2025-02-02T09:00:26","date_gmt":"2025-02-02T09:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/?p=31897"},"modified":"2025-01-31T19:17:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T19:17:05","slug":"mandrake-the-magician-fred-fredericks-dailies-volume-1-the-return-of-evil-the-cobra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/2025\/02\/02\/mandrake-the-magician-fred-fredericks-dailies-volume-1-the-return-of-evil-the-cobra\/","title":{"rendered":"Mandrake the Magician: Fred Fredericks Dailies volume 1: The Return of Evil – The Cobra"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\nBy Lee Falk<\/strong> &<\/strong> Fred Fredericks <\/strong>(Titan Books)
\nISBN: 978-1-78276-691-9 (HB)<\/p>\n

This book includes Discriminatory Content<\/strong> produced during less enlightened times.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this month of romantic anticipation and disillusionment, it\u2019s worth remarking that every iconic hero of strips and comics has a dutiful, stalwart inamorata waiting ever so patiently in the wings for a moment to spoon and swoon. Here\u2019s another beguiling outing starring one of the earliest and most resolute… <\/em><\/p>\n

Regarded by many as comics\u2019 first superhero, Mandrake the Magician<\/strong> debuted as a daily newspaper strip on 11th<\/sup> June 1934 – although creator Lee Falk had sold the strip almost a decade previously. Initially drawing it too, Falk replaced himself as soon as feasible, allowing the early wonderment to materialise through the effective understatement of sublime draughtsman Phil Davis. An instant hit, Mandrake was soon supplemented by a full-colour Sunday companion page from February 3rd<\/sup> 1935. Happy other Birthday, dapper tuxedo dude…<\/em><\/p>\n

Whilst a 19-year old college student Falk had sold the strip to King Features Syndicate years earlier, but asked the monolithic company to let him finish his studies before dedicating himself to it full time. Schooling done, the 23-year-old born raconteur settled into his life\u2019s work, entertaining millions with astounding tales. Falk also created the first costumed superhero – moodily magnificent generational manhunter The Phantom <\/strong>– whilst spawning an entire comic book subgenre with his first inspiration. Most Golden Age publishers boasted at least one (but usually many) nattily attired wizards in their gaudily-garbed pantheons: all roaming the world(s) making miracles and crushing injustice with varying degrees of stage legerdemain or actual sorcery. Characters such as Mr. Mystic<\/strong>, Ibis the Invincible<\/strong>, Sargon the Sorcerer<\/strong>, and an assortment of\u00a0 \u201c<\/em>\u2026the Magician\u201d<\/em> \u2019s like Zatara<\/strong>, Zanzibar<\/strong>, Kardak<\/strong> proliferated ad infinitum: all borrowing heavily and shamelessly from the uncanny exploits of the elegant, enigmatic man of mystery gracing the world\u2019s newspapers and magazines.<\/p>\n

In the Antipodes, Mandrake was a suave stalwart regular of Australian Women\u2019s Weekly<\/strong> and became a cherished icon of adventure in the UK, Australia, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France, Turkey and across Scandinavia: a major star of page and screen, pervading every aspect of global consciousness.<\/p>\n

Over the years he has been a star of radio, movie chapter-serials, a theatrical play, television and animation (as part of the cartoon series Defenders of the Earth<\/strong>). With that has come the usual merchandising bonanza of games, toys (including magic trick kits), books, comics and more\u2026<\/p>\n

Falk helmed Mandrake<\/strong> and The Phantom<\/strong> until his death in 1999 (even on his deathbed, he was laying out one last story), but also found some few quiet moments to become a renowned playwright, theatre producer and impresario, as well as an inveterate world-traveller. After drawing those the first few strips Falk united with sublimely polished cartoonist Phil Davis (March 4th<\/sup> 1906 -16th<\/sup> December 1964). His sleekly understated renditions took the daily strip, especially the expansive Sunday page to unparalleled heights of sophistication. Davis\u2019 steadfast, assured realism was the perfect tool to render the Magician\u2019s mounting catalogue of spectacular miracles. He rendered and realised Falk\u2019s words until his death by heart attack…<\/p>\n

Harold \u201cFred\u201d Fredericks, Jr. (August 9th<\/sup> 1929 – March 10th<\/sup> 2015) took over – with strips starting in June 1965 – he was also handpicked by Falk who admired his work as both writer and\/or illustrator on teen strip Rebel<\/strong> and family comic books such as Nancy<\/strong>, Boris Karloff<\/strong>, The Twilight Zone<\/strong>, The Munsters<\/strong>, Mister Ed<\/strong>, O.G. Whiz presents Tubby<\/strong>, Mighty Mouse<\/strong>, Barney Google and Snuffy Smith<\/strong>, and Bullwinkle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In later years tireless taleteller Fredericks became an inking mainstay at Marvel & DC on titles including New Titans<\/strong>, Catwoman<\/strong>, Robin<\/strong>, Punisher War Journal<\/strong>, Nth Man<\/strong>, Daredevil<\/strong>, Quasar<\/strong>, G.I. Joe<\/strong> and Defenders of the Earth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Preceded by Roger Langridge\u2019s essay \u2018Fred Fredericks – An Appreciation\u2019<\/em> and John Preddle\u2019s appraisal \u2018Mandrake: The Fred Fredericks Era\u2019<\/em>, the official changing of the artistic guard comes with a cheeky contemporary mystery…<\/p>\n

However, firstly…<\/p>\n

Mandrake was educated at the fabled College of Magic in Tibet, thereafter becoming a suave globetrotting troubleshooter, accompanied by his faithful African friend Lothar<\/em> and eventually enchanting companion (and in 1997, bride) Princess Narda of Cockaigne<\/em>. They co-operatively solve crimes, fight evil and find trouble and mystery apparently everywhere. Although the African Prince was a component from the start, Narda turned up fashionably late (in 1934) as victim\/secret weapon in early escapade \u2018The Hawk\u2019<\/em> (see Mandrake the Magician: Dailies vol. 1 \u2013 The Cobra<\/a> <\/strong>): a distrait socialite forced to use her every wile to seduce and destroy the magician and Lothar. Thwarting each attack, Mandrake went after the monstrous stalker blackmailing Narda\u2019s brother Prince Sigrid\/Segrid<\/em> and extorting her, decisively lowering the boom and liberating the embattled aristocrats. Bear all that in mind: it\u2019s going to come in handy later\u2026<\/p>\n

Falk and Fredericks started as they meant to go on with \u2018Odd Fellow\u2019<\/em> (running from May 3rd<\/sup> to August 14th<\/sup> 1965) wherein a puckish little chap ruins a day of quiet contemplation for Narda before going on to peddle incredible inventions to greedy industrialists. By the time Mandrake gets involved, a lethal looking pursuer is hard on their heels and the mounting chaos is explained by the deduction that the jolly leprechaun is actually Roger the Rogue<\/em>: a conman from the future with a deadly secret agenda but no idea who he\u2019s messing with…<\/p>\n

Following an interlude that introduces Mandrake\u2019s palatial super citadel Xanadu, it\u2019s back to basics for the next epic as the Princess goes to college to improve her mind and inadvertently uncovers and exposes a criminal gang embedded in world culture for hundreds of years. With echoes on modern conspiracy thriller 100 Bullets<\/strong>, \u2018The Sign of 8\u2019<\/em> (August 16th<\/sup> 1965 to February 6th<\/sup> 1966) arise from managed obscurity to discredit, hunt and destroy Narda with increasingly baroque and deadly assaults before falling to the counterattack of the Magician…<\/p>\n

Growing contemporary fascination in the supernatural is addressed an capitalised upon in \u2018The Witches\u2019<\/em> (February 7th<\/sup> – May 28th<\/sup>) as criminal hypnotist Count Diablo<\/em> and his all-women gang terrorise young heiress \u201cReally\u201d Riley<\/em> , only to learn to their lasting regret what a master mesmerist can do to punish the wicked…<\/p>\n

Another headline fuelled thriller, \u2018The UFO\u2019<\/em> May 30th<\/sup> – September 17th<\/sup>) sets the trio on the trail of aliens robbing banks with heat rays and escaping in flying saucers. Of course, it’s not long before Mandrake makes the connection between these uncanny events and missing military ordnance hot off the drawing board and takes steps to stop the plunderers from the stars…<\/p>\n

In an era of super spies and covert cabals it wasn\u2019t long before our heroes were back on \u2018The Trail of the 8\u2019<\/em> (September 19th<\/sup> 1966 – January 14th<\/sup> 1967) as Mandrake discovers evidence that the ancient order is still active. Teaming with good-guy agency Inter-Intel, the hunt makes Mandrake a target for repeated assassination attempts but ultimately leads to the organisation\u2019s explosive demise. And yet the magician remains unconvinced…<\/p>\n

This titanic tome terminates with a long-anticipated revival as \u2018The Return of Evil – The Cobra\u2019<\/em> (January 16th<\/sup> to June 3rd<\/sup> 1967) reveals how King Segrid<\/em> of Cockaigne needs the help of his sister and her boyfriend after a sinister presence buys up tracts of the country and populace: using wealth, influence, chicanery, publicity stunts, blackmail and sheer dominating physical presence to rule the nation from behind the oval office<\/span> throne. Thankfully, Mandrake and Lothar know just how to deal with the villain once he\u2019s exposed as fatally flawed old foe The Cobra, and foil the fiend\u2019s scheme to steal the nation from its legally-appointed ruler…<\/p>\n

Supplemented here by a \u2018Fred Fredericks – Biography\u2019<\/em> before closing with \u2018The Fred Fredericks Mandrake the Magician Complete Daily Checklist 1965-2013\u2019,<\/em> this thrilling tome offers exotic locales, thrilling action, fantastic fantasy, space age shocks, sinister spycraft, crafty criminality and spooky chills in equal measure. As always, the strip abounds with fantastic imagery from whenever \u201cMandrake gestures hypnotically\u201d and drips with wry dialogue and bold action. Paramount taleteller Falk instinctively knew from the start that the secret of success was strong and – crucially – recurring villains and uncanny situations to test and challenge his heroes, making Mandrake<\/strong> the Magician<\/strong> an unmissable treat for every daily strip addict. These stories have lost none of their impact and only need you reading them to concoct a perfect cure for 21st<\/sup> century blues.
\nMandrake the Magician \u00a9 2017 King Features Syndicate. All Rights Reserved. All other material \u00a9 2017 the respective authors or owners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Lee Falk & Fred Fredericks (Titan Books) ISBN: 978-1-78276-691-9 (HB) This book includes Discriminatory Content produced during less enlightened times. In this month of romantic anticipation and disillusionment, it\u2019s worth remarking that every iconic hero of strips and comics has a dutiful, stalwart inamorata waiting ever so patiently in the wings for a moment … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Mandrake the Magician: Fred Fredericks Dailies volume 1: The Return of Evil – The Cobra”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[191,78,75,290,102,125,364,108,225,127,148,107,156],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure","category-comic-strip-classics","category-crime-comics","category-dinosaurs","category-fantasy","category-humour","category-mandrake-the-magician","category-miscellaneous-superhero","category-mystery","category-nostalgia","category-romance","category-science-fiction","category-world-classics"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4AFj-8it","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31897"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31899,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31897\/revisions\/31899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}