Dangerous Music

Dangerous Music
(Re-released in 2024)
Start date:	March 5th, 2007
End date:	August 18th, 2007
# of strips:	144 (24 weeks)
Writer:	Fred Fredericks
Artist:	Fred Fredericks
Preceded by:	"The Hitman from Another Planet"
Followed by:	"Meet Captain Smash"

"Dangerous Music" is the 253rd Mandrake daily story. The story was written and drawn by Fred Fredericks.

Plot Summary

Upon arriving at Xanadu, Mandrake and Narda received an urgent call from Narda's brother, Segrid. He implored them to come to Cocaigne immediately, advising them to pack warm clothes. Boarding a plane, they learned the reason behind this hurried summons. It involved the Lost Chord, a musical composition capable of causing the earth to split open. Segrid had received information that a geyser had emerged in the mountains, the same region where the Lost Chord had vanished in an avalanche. Dr. Floto had sought permission to investigate the geyser, raising Segrid's concerns that she might stumble upon the hidden sheet music while examining the phenomenon. To preempt this, Segrid wanted Mandrake and Narda, the only ones aware of the music's burial location, to revisit the site and destroy the sheets.

The following day, Mandrake and Narda ventured into the mountains, reaching the old castle ruins where the geyser had formed. They soon encountered Dr. Floto, questioning her presence since no one in the scientific community recognized her. She explained she had recently reverted to her maiden name. Together, they discovered a crack in the snow. Mandrake descended to investigate and retrieved the Lost Chord's sheet music. As they headed back to camp to escape an approaching blizzard, Luciphor appeared.

Intrigued by the ancient legend that playing the Lost Chord could rupture the earth, Luciphor planned to exploit this fear, coercing nations into paying millions to prevent its use. Mandrake tried to stop Luciphor from escaping with the sheet music, leading to a fierce battle between the half-brothers. Dr. Floto intervened, saving Mandrake's life by tearing the Lost Chord into pieces, which were then scattered by the storm. Luciphor vanished, and the group returned to Cocaigne's capital, their mission accomplished.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• Mandrake
• Narda
• King Segrid of Cockaigne
• Dr. Floto, a famous scientist and investigator of strange phenomena
• Luciphor

One-time characters

• Captain Viper, mentioned only

Locations

• New York City
  • Xanadu
• Cockaigne
  • the ruins of the old castle

Behind the scenes

Title

• The title for the story is taken from the strip of March 5th, 2007 (Beginning: Dangerous Music !).

Easter Eggs

• Luicphor cites an "old jungle saying": "He who travels fastest on snow-mobile, travels alone..." (June 13, 2007 daily strip).

Re-released story in 2024

• Start date: 5 August 2024 / End date:

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications: