The fifth edition of Defenders of the Earth, published by the US-based Mad Cave Studios, has commenced pre-order availability online.

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. Each character brings a unique set of skills and attributes to the team, allowing them to fight evil forces and protect the world from various threats. Flash Gordon is known for his bravery and quick thinking, while the Phantom embodies a legacy of justice and fearlessness. Meanwhile, Mandrake the Magician harnesses his mystical powers to outsmart adversaries, and Lothar, with his incredible strength, often serves as the muscle of the group. Together, they create a formidable alliance that captivates audiences.

Furthermore, Mad Cave Studios currently hold publishing permission to release new Flash Gordon and Defenders of the Earth comic books, plus the newly released news of the Phantom added to this list, which continue to expand the adventures of these beloved characters, introducing new storylines and allowing fans to engage with their heroes in fresh and exciting ways.

This fifth edition is set for release on the 5th of March 2025 and is part of a series that is intended to comprise 8 editions, with a new edition scheduled for publication on a monthly basis. Pre-order advertisements present this edition as:

Phantom versus Phantom! The Defenders establish a new base in Africa¸ where Mandrake empowers the ghostly Phantom to roam freely beyond Xanadu. Now¸ Phantom must team up with L.J. and Rick to track down Jedda and thwart his brother’s sinister plans.

Two varying cover designs are currently seen, which feature the Phantom and Ming the Merciless. Cover 5A (seen below left) is illustrated by Jim Calafiore and cover 5B (seen below right) is illustrated by Djordje Djokovic. The story is written by Dan DiDio, illustrated by Jim Calafiore, colored by Juancho Velez and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.

Cover 5B features an image of the Ming the Merciless figure that was released by NECA in the United States in 2022. However, NECA opted for box packaging for this figure rather than attaching it to a card, as is the case with the Mad Cave Studios comic book cover. The appearance of the figure bears a closer resemblance to the design observed on the Defenders of the Earth figure, which was released by Galoob in the United Kingdom in 1985.

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