Defenders of the Earth
Western · 1986 · 1 issue
About the series
A short-lived 1986 Western comic from the era of syndicated cartoons, Defenders of the Earth united King Features’ classic newspaper-strip heroes—Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Mandrake the Magician—along with Mandrake’s assistant Lothar. Published as a single issue, it was a licensed tie-in to the animated series, bringing the team together against the villainous Ming the Merciless. The comic is a snapshot of mid-80s cross-property synergy, notable for its attempt to revive these adventure icons for a new generation.