The original comic book superhero Mandrake the Magician is headed for a reboot series this year, with the YA comic Mandrake the Magician: Mandrake's Legacy set to arrive in October from King Features Syndicate, Red 5 Comics and StoneBot Studios.
Revealed at Comic-Con@Home, Mandrake's Legacy is to be penned by Erica Schultz -- a writer, editor, letterer and Kubert School instructor who is known for her work on Marvel's Daredevil -- and illustrated by the likes of Diego Giribaldi, Juan Pablo Massa and Moncho Bunge. The series will also feature cover art by Amelia Vidal and variants by Evelin Unfer.
Mandrake's Legacy is set to launch on Oct. 28 and will be complemented by a free webcomic. The series follows 17-year-old Mandy Paz, a modern-day magician-in-training with aspirations of living up to the original Mandrake the Magician. Mandy was born with magical powers, which she suspects has something to do with her "mysterious parentage." Unfortunately, however, her mother isn't spilling any details. Alongside her best friend LJ, Mandy has to juggle learning to master her abilities with filling out college applications, dealing with mean girls at school and participating the school's talent show, not to mention being faced with a magical mirror, a kidnapping and monsters. An official release teases, "this expansion of the Mandrake universe stars a new generation of heroes as they face off with familiar foes."
"Mandrake the Magician was one of the most influential comic strips of its time, so what better way to pay that legacy homage than to breathe new life into the property with a fresh twist that targets a new generation of young readers," said King Features licensing director Christina Nix Lynch. "Both Red 5 and StoneBot have track records of incredible success and their imaginative approach to the next chapter in Mandrake’s magical saga is sure to win the hearts of new fans."
"Undoubtedly, Mandrake, the first superhero of comics, had to return," added StoneBot managing director Diego Barassi. "Our team has worked diligently to retain the brand's essence and philosophy while reinventing the narrative to attract a new generation of readers… new times but same conflicts."
Created by Lee Falk in 1934, Mandrake the Magician is regarded by many comic book historians as the medium's first superhero. Falk initially created the character during the Great Depressing, hoping the adventures of the titular illusionist would help build morale among readers.
Written by Erica Schultz and illustrated by Diego Giribaldi, Juan Pablo Massa and Moncho Bunge, Mandrake the Magician: Mandrake's Legacy #1 goes on sale Oct. 28.