As Mad Cave celebrates 10 years in the business of entertaining fans of all ages, they have continued to announce new and exciting projects. Whether it be the return of Dick Tracy or Flash Gordon, fans have had a lot to look forward to. Today, they announced the comic book adaptation of the classic Defenders of the Earth Cartoon series, starring Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Lothar. This exciting series makes its debut on August 14th. Full details can be seen below in this press release from Mad Cave.

DEFENDERS OF THE EARTH

Reinventing the classics: Renowned comics creators Dan DiDio and Jim Calafiore join forces for Mad Cave Studios’ newest Flash Gordon series

JUNE 7, 2024, (PITTSBURGH, PA) — Iconic heroes pass the torch to the next generation!

Embark on the return of DEFENDERS OF THE EARTH, an exhilarating reimagining of the beloved adventure series, coming soon from Mad Cave Studios.

Inspired by the classic Defenders of the Earth cartoon series, writer Dan DiDio, best known for his ten years serving as co-publisher of DC Entertainment Prolific comics, along with celebrated artist Jim Calafiore (Exiles, Secret Six), join forces in this groundbreaking comic, sure to shake up the universe.

The newly-minted Defenders of the Earth comic is not just about superheroes; it’s about the human struggles and triumphs behind the masks—drawing inspiration from contemporary issues and timeless themes, while tackling relevant topics of gender, familial expectations, and the ethical dilemmas of modern heroism. With society at a crossroads and betrayal lurking in the shadows, the fate of Earth hangs in the balance. Each character grapples with their own demons, forging their own path while honoring the legacy of those who came before them.

Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician and Lothar are united again in this reimagining of the classic animated series, Defenders of the Earth. Picking up with characters and storylines from the original series, Flash confronts Ming in a final battle, only to find that even greater threats await him and his teammates as they each must confront ghosts of their past to protect their families and future.

The first action-packed issue in an eight-part series!

“As a fan of the original animated series, I was excited by the opportunity to work on this title,” said Dan DiDio. “I’m hoping to build on some of the show’s classic elements and move them in new directions while exploring the personalities and lives of the characters that make the series great. One of the best aspects of the series was finding a way to unite the show’s four disparate, iconic stars following the end of their war with Ming. What sets it apart from other books featuring Flash Gordon, Mandrake, The Phantom, and Lothar is the added generational aspect of the story—that’s the fun part of writing. The father/son relationships of Flash and Rick, and Lothar and LJ; the father/daughter relationship of The Phantom and Jenna; and the mentor/protege relationship of Mandrake and Kshin are really the heart of the story. What makes and breaks these families is key to saving the world from a new and more deadly challenge.”

“I don’t say that I’m so old that I read the original strips back in the day, but every artist knows these classic characters and have been influenced by them and their creators,” said Jim Calafiore. “A lot of great artists have worked on them over the years. The challenge, and the fun, is having my name added to the list.”

“Be it comics, radio, TV, or film, King Features Syndicate’s stable of characters has captured the hearts of fans for over 100 years,” said Mad Cave Studios Senior Editor, Chas! Pangburn. “Mad Cave is honored to add to this legacy by providing a modern interpretation of their 1986 cartoon supergroup, the Defenders of the Earth. Set in a separate continuity from our ongoing Flash Gordon series, Dan and Jim’s take on these four classic heroes (and their wards) is an action-packed character study that sees the Defenders confront ghosts of their past in order to protect both their families and the future. From physical kicks to emotional punches, Dan and Jim have concocted a series perfect for longtime fans and those just now discovering these iconic characters.

“It has been such an exciting journey to work with Mad Cave and their talent as they reintroduce our classic heroes, who inspired the modern-day superhero genre, to new audiences,’ said Christina Nix Lynch, Senior Director of Domestic Licensing at King Features. “This comic launch is extremely special as it’s the first time the Defenders universe has been introduced through fresh storytelling and gives our fans the opportunity to see how our core characters interact as a team.”

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.

Since 1934, Alex Raymond’s Flash Gordon has captured the imagination of readers worldwide with its dynamic storytelling, captivating artwork, and memorable characters.

Defenders of the Earth #1 from Mad Cave Studios in partnership with brand owner, King Features, hits shops Aug. 14th.

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