Once upon a time these were some of the most popular characters in the world. Flash Gordon. The Phantom (still popular just about everywhere else EXCEPT the U.S.). Mandrake the Magician. Even Lothar, Mandrake’s muscle, who definitely has had to be rethought in each revival. Their real heyday was in the 1930s, but King Features brought them together in 1986 for the animated series Defenders of the Earth, and outside of the campy but excellent 1980 Flash Gordon, that’s where their real popularity resides.
Others have tried to revive them, but in 2024, it’s going to take a Mad Cave to do it. Rapidly becoming one of my favorite imprints for its wild range of indie books, they also impressed the heck out of me with Dick Tracy. So both their impending Flash Gordon book and this Defenders of the Earth have piqued my interest.
The creative team? Artist Jim Calafiore has always been solid with a unique style. Former DC Comics honcho Dan DiDio has always been… Dan DiDio. To be honest, I’ve always appreciated his genuine love of comics, and his willingness to take big swings. I’ve yet to warm to his writing, but as he came out of animation in the first place, this could well be the right fit. I’m going to give it a try, as I always do for his projects, because though he would not in any way remember meeting me a couple of times, I truly like him.
I want to like this book, and I have to be honest about my tempered enthusiasm. Especially on a week I’m overwhelmingly enthusiastic about a new Ultraman project. My connection to all these characters comes from my long-ago childhood, so that’s how I approach each revival. Will this get a kid excited to read it?
I hope so.
It makes sense that it will be a multi-generational book, though only those original four anchor characters are on the various covers. I like the redesign of Lothar. And The Phantom — he’s always been a multi-generational character, and it’s cool that he’s not changing. Let’s give it a shot when it hits comics shops in August.
A moment of hype from Mad Cave Studios:
Defenders of the Earth is an epic journey of courage, sacrifice, and redemption, reminding us all that the greatest battles are fought not with fists, but with heart. Fans of the original series will find plenty to love while blazing a trail for the next generation of heroes.
Cover A by Jim Calafiore, cover B “action figure variant” by Djordje Djokovic, and cover C by Andy Clarke (2000 AD). Letters by Carlos M. Mangual.
Defenders of the Earth #1 from Mad Cave Studios in partnership with brand owner, King Features, hits shops Aug. 14th.
