Mandrake the Magician The Complete Newspaper Dalies HC (2024 Hermes Press) comic books published within the past 6 months

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Volume 1 - 1st printing. "1934-1936!" Written by Lee Falk. Art and cover by Phil Davis. From the creative mind of Lee Falk comes Mandrake the Magician! Created in 1934 with the story "The Cobra." Comics historian Don Markstein wrote, "Some people say Mandrake the Magician, who started in 1934, was comics' first superhero." Hermes Press is proud to continue their legacy of complete Lee Falk comic reprints, starting with the very first years of Mandrake. This first volume includes five stories, "The Cobra" (June 11, 1934 - Nov. 24, 1934), "The Hawk (Mandrake Meets Narda)" (Nov. 26, 1934 - Feb. 23, 1935), "The Monster of Tanov Pass" (Feb. 25, 1935 - June 15, 1935), "Saki, the Clay Camel" (June 17, 1935 - Nov. 2, 1935), and "The Werewolf" (Nov. 4, 1935 - Feb. 1936). Strips from this issue are taken directly from King Feature's proofs. Included in the volume is a comprehensive essay and documentary materials. Hardcover, 12-in. x 9-in., 256 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $60.00.

Volume 4 - 1st printing. "1939-1941!" Written by Lee Falk. Art and cover by Phil Davis. Mandrake the Magician began as a daily strip on June 11, 1934, and whether Lee Falk knew it as a sophomore at the University of Illinois, he was making history. The daily strip ended after a 79-year run, and the Sunday strip, which started in 1935, ran for 68 years. Any fan of comic strips is almost certainly familiar with Falks other creation, The Phantom, which started in 1936 and continues to this day. Mandrake the Magician whisked readers to exotic locales (often fictional amalgams of the Orient, the Middle East, India or Eastern Europe) and immersed them in extended narratives with memorable villains and a colorful support cast. The strips presented in this series of reprints feature two staple characters in addition to the master magician: Lothar and Princess Narda (princess of the mythical European kingdom Cockaigne). Lothar appears within the first few days (June 14, 1934), and Narda is introduced in Mandrakes second adventure. Narda is similar to Flash Gordons Dale Arden: beautiful, constantly in need of rescue, and the love interest of our hero. A Prince of the Seven Nations of Africa, Lothar is Mandrakes devoted servant, friend and companion. He is, the strongest man in the world, and decked out in a fez, shorts, and a leopard shirt. Comics historian Don Markstein commented that, Some people say Mandrake the Magician... was comics first superhero, and we at Hermes Press couldnt agree more. Volume four presents: Mandrake in North Africa (September 4 - December 23, 1939); The Mountain Bandits (December 25, 1939 - January 20, 1940); The Museum Mystery (January 22 - May 4, 1940); The Octopus Ring (May 6 - December 21, 1940); and Dr. Griff's Invention (December 23, 1940 - April 5, 1941). Hardcover, 12-in. x 9-in., 272 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $65.00.