Mandrake the Magician Trivia Quiz

Answer: At the college of magic.

In the comic series, Mandrake studied magic at the 'Collegium Magikos', located in a cave somewhere in the Himalaya Mountains. His teacher was Theron, an expert at magic. Theron had a magic crystal which had made him ageless. Mandrake was his favourite pupil and thus Mandrake acquired his hypnotic powers. In one of the later comics, it is revealed that Theron is also Mandrake's father. (No. 142, 1969, 'The College of Magic')
Mandrake series made its first appearance on 11 June 1934 as a syndicated comic series published by King Features Syndicate.

Answer: Lothar

Lothar is an African prince who spurns his throne and accompanies Mandrake on his adventures. Mandrake and Lothar stay at 'Xanadu' a magnificent house on a hill which is like a fortress protected by many ingenious devices. The house was a gift to Mandrake who helped the leader of a nation by impersonating him in his absence. Lenore is Mandrake's half-sister, Segrid his brother-in-law and Derek his half-brother.

Answer: Narda

Mandrake's girlfriend was Narda, the Princess of a Kingdom called Cockaigne. She abdicated the throne in favour of her brother Segrid and came with Mandrake (No. 18, 1939, 'Mandrake in Cockaigne'). Narda and Mandrake later on got married (No. 228, 1998, 'Mandrake's Wedding at Xanadu') and they stay at Xanadu. Karma is Lothar's girlfriend and Aleena the Enchantress is a villainous classmate of Mandrake who is in love with him and tries to kill Narda. Mandrake defeats her and strips her of her magical powers.

Answer: Hojo

Hojo is Mandrake's chef who is an expert in martial arts. A secret fact not known to many is that Hojo is in reality the chief of Inter-Intel, a crime-busting organisation with whom Mandrake works (No. 175, 1980, 'Hojo and 8').

Answer: Silly Stuff Department

The SSD is Silly Stuff Department, a department in the police force, created by Police Chief Bradley, a friend of Mandrake. The department hears public complaints or cases that have supernatural or magical tinge to it. Mandrake regularly visits the SSD and learns of many cases which leads on to many adventures (No. 67, 1952, 'The Silly Stuff Department').

Answer: Cobra

The Cobra is Mandrake's arch enemy. The Cobra is in reality Lucifer, Mandrake's half-brother. He steals one of the magic crystals and acquires great powers which he uses for villainous purposes (No. 1, 1934, 'Cobra'). Cobra has an assistant called Ud.

The Cobra features in many Mandrake stories. He is shown as wearing a silver mask as his face was destroyed after a battle with Mandrake. In later comics, the Cobra's face is shown after his face is reconstructed by plastic surgery (No. 220, 1995, 'Pursuit of the Cobra).

Answer: False

One of the villains whom Mandrake fights is Octon, the head of the organisation '8'. There are many adventures featuring Mandrake and 8, but many of the adventures end with the Octon's identity remaining a mystery. Finally in one of the comics, it is revealed that Octon is none other than the Cobra (No. 203, 1989, 'The Gift from 8').

Answer: Magnon

Magnon is the Emperor of a million planets in Central Galaxy and is the ruler of Magna. Mandrake had helped Magnon to defeat his enemies (including the deadly rat men) many a times and is a staunch friend of Mandrake. Magnon and his wife Corolla have a daughter Nardraka, named after Mandrake and Narda (No. 153, 1973, 'The Ratmen from Rodencia).

Answer: True

Leon Mandrake was a real magician who performed in the USA in the 1920/30's. It is believed that the Mandrake character was based on Leon. The drawing of Mandrake - top hat, pencil-line mustache and cape are all drawn based on Leon. Also, interestingly Leon's wife was named Narda.

Answer: Walt Disney

The Mandrake series was created by Lee Falk in 1934 and though the stories were created by Falk, the drawings were by Phil Davis. After Davis died, another artist Harold Fredricks would do the drawings. Falk incidentally died in 1999. Walt Disney, of course was in no way involved in the series