Mandrake the Magician Sunday Comic Strip Original Art (6-3-73)

This original Sunday page from Mandrake the Magician, dated June 3, 1973, showcases Fred Fredericks’ dynamic linework and the central role of Mandrake’s partner Lothar, long billed as “the strongest man in the world”. Across the tiered panels, Lothar charges into a blazing inferno, hauling trapped children to safety and leaping from rooftop to rooftop as the building collapses behind him, turning the strip into a pure showcase of his strength, speed, and courage. Introduced to the strip in its 1930s run, Lothar is one of comics’ earliest recurring African heroes—originally depicted problematically, but later increasingly framed as a powerful, competent ally whose presence challenged prevailing stereotypes. Fredericks’ 1970s interpretation, seen here, emphasizes Lothar’s muscular heroism and calm under pressure, while Mandrake’s supporting role in the scene underscores the importance of their partnership. Inked over graphite on Bristol with an image area of 21.25" × 9.25", the board retains blue pencil editorial marks, whiteout corrections, and paste‑up elements typical of period production art, situating it firmly in the working life of the strip. Within The Askia Jones Collection, this page complements your Dateline: Danger! material by offering another key chapter in Black representation in newspaper adventure strips—here through a long‑running African character whose evolution mirrors changing attitudes toward race, heroism, and agency in mid‑century comics.