138 (1971) The Trail of Death (or The Famous Friendship)

It's a story about the first meeting of Mandrake & his best friend Lothar, the strongest man in the world.

Lothar is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Lothar is "famous warrior".

Probably Mandrake term was picked by Falk from the plant  Mandragora officinarum (The mandrake). The (European) Mandrake plant has been used since ancient times as a medicinal plant and has a tradition associated with magical activities. According to the legend, when the root is dug up it screams and kills all who hear it. Same concept is used  in "Harry Potter series" by  J. K. Rowling. However only Falk could answer correctly.

Logically I guess, if wrong pls correct me, it's the Sunday strips #101 -  The Meeting of Mandrake and Lothar (30 Apr 1967- 24 Sep 1967)
Reason:  Under the artist Fred Fredericks  (born Aug. 9, 1929, in Atlantic City, N.J.) who took over in 1965 (after original artist Phil Davis had died), Lothar was rebranded; he began to speak correct English, and slowly his clothing changed from shirts with leopard-skin patterns. After death of Lee Falk (April 28, 1911 - March 13, 1999), Fred took over writing the strip in addition to providing sketches for it. This indrajal was printed  in 1971, none other strips title matches between this interval 1965-1971, I'm missing  many strips along with S#101, so can't check.

Although Lothar made his first appearance alongside Mandrake in 1934 in the inaugural daily strip, he 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.

Mandrake first met Lothar during his travels in Africa. Lothar was then "Prince of the twelve Nations", a mighty federation of jungle tribes. He passed on the chance to become king and followed Mandrake on his world travels (and the rest of the universe as well), fighting crime and villains.


Hoping you'll like this comics.

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All credits go to Venkitachalam Subramanian who scanned, edited & uploaded himself.

12 comments:

Quizzerix on 6 August 2010 at 02:41 said...

Venkit and PBC

Dhanyavaad... :)

Quizzerix

Venkitachalam Subramanian on 6 August 2010 at 03:12 said...

Thanks to all your best wishes. My wife is home after surgery and needs atleat a couple of weeks' rest before she can be anywhere near her old self.

Thought I will keep you all posted.

Thanks again.

Colonel Worobu on 6 August 2010 at 05:47 said...

Dear Venkit,

I am glad to hear that your wife is back home safe after her surgery. I hope that she will have a speedy recovery and enjoy a long and happy and loving life with you and your children.

Best Regards,
Col.

VISHAL on 6 August 2010 at 12:38 said...

Heartiest Congratulations Dear Venkit for successful surgery of your wife ! Have an 'Express Recovery' Mrs.Venkit !!
Thanks a lot Venkit & PBC for this antique gift & rare information

PBC on 6 August 2010 at 12:41 said...

@Venkitachalam Subramanian:Good News!

TPH on 6 August 2010 at 16:00 said...

Dear Venkit, Wishing a speedy and full recovery for your wife. May she get back to her old self soon.

About the indrajal, this is a unique issue where cover title (The Trail of Death) is different than the title on the first page of story (The Famous Friendship). I do not know if there is any other such issue of indrajal.

Venkitachalam Subramanian on 6 August 2010 at 23:32 said...

@TPH - Indrajal 140 called "The Captive Herd" had 2 stories in it - one called "the Call Of The Golden Cities" and another called "The Keeper Of The Herd". At leasr this is one of the comics that comes to mind immediately.

praveen on 7 August 2010 at 21:21 said...

Nice to hear that your wife has come home after surgery..I wish her a speedy recovery.
Praveen

Rafiq Raja on 8 August 2010 at 03:00 said...

Here is to wishing a speedy recovery for your wife, Venki. and thanks for this comic too, even after a personal emergency. You Rock :)

Rafiq Raja on 26 June 2011 at 15:09 said...

@TPH - Indrajal 140 called "The Captive Herd" had 2 stories in it - one called "the Call Of The Golden Cities" and another called "The Keeper Of The Herd". At leasr this is one of the comics that comes to mind immediately.

Rafiq Raja on 26 June 2011 at 15:09 said...

Dear Venkit, Wishing a speedy and full recovery for your wife. May she get back to her old self soon.

About the indrajal, this is a unique issue where cover title (The Trail of Death) is different than the title on the first page of story (The Famous Friendship). I do not know if there is any other such issue of indrajal.

Rafiq Raja on 26 June 2011 at 15:09 said...

Venkit and PBC

Dhanyavaad... :)

Quizzerix

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