Defenders of the Earth, edition number 2 by US based publisher Mad Cave Studios have started to appear online for pre-order.

The Defenders of the Earth cartoon series main characters are Flash Gordon, the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician and Lothar, who are all licensed by King Features Syndicate. Mad Cave Studios currently hold publishing permission to release new Flash Gordon and Defenders of the Earth comic books.

This second edition is due for release on the 25th of September 2024, a series scheduled to contain 8 editions, with a new edition due for release on a monthly basis. Pre-order advertisements describe this edition as:

A new combatant lurks deep within the jungle—familiar but different. The Council of Phantoms has chosen a new heir with a different form of justice. Meanwhile, Kro-Tan’s sphere of influence is growing, and his grip is tightening. It’s clear that times have changed, and new threats challenge these heroes on a deeper and more personal level…

Two varying cover designs are currently seen, which both feature the Phantom. Cover 2A (seen below left) is illustrated by Jim Calafiore and cover 2B (seen below right) is illustrated by Djordje Djokovic. The story is written by Dan DiDio.

Interestingly, cover 2B contains an image of the Phantom figure released by NECA in the USA in 2021, however NECA released the figure in a box packaging and not attached to a card as found on the Mad Cave Studios comic book cover. The look of the figure is more reminiscent of the design seen on the Defenders of the Earth figure released by Galoob in the UK in 1985.

Mad Cave Studios are yet to list this second edition on their website, however League of Comic Geeks currently list these 2 comic books on their website, found HERE

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