Homecoming

Homecoming
1st publication:	Defenders of the Earth #1 (Mad Cave)
# of pages:	24 pgs
Writer:	Dan DiDio
Artist:	Jim Calafiore
Producer:	{{{Producer}}}

"Homecoming" is an US made Mandrake story from 2024.

Plot summary

In the past, Mandrake and The Phantom find themselves alone to fight, in an underground world, an army of aliens made up of ice soldiers. They are almost out of strength against these creatures and live a very dramatic moment when Lothar arrives to help them. Lothar is back after having fought in vain in Africa where his beloved Seven Nations are now in ruins, with all major cities in flames. Suddenly the creatures are however totally frozen and the fight is stopped by a strange cloud leaving, on the ground, the Ming's cutten head. Mandrake cannot help but observe that he would have preferred to kill such a foe himself! But Flash Gordon appears, it seems that he cut the Ming's head with his shining sword.

Now the action came back in 2024 days in St.Louis ("St.Loo") where Rick, the son of Flash Gordon, sees a wanderer being arrested by the police. Surprised by this event, he goes at the main office of the D.E. ("Defenders of the Earth" force) and asks to see his father. However he is not authorized to enter the building even if he has himself programmed aii the security ans authorization rules of the building. Finally he managed to enter himself into the building but his father has been pulled into an unexpected meeting. Kshin, his father's executive assistant, seems to have a suspicious attitude.

Rick has returned in town for the second anniversary of his mother's death. He calls to Lothar's son J.L. and learns that Lothar is moving, wanting to return to his land of the Seven Nations. Lothar asks Mandrake to come with him but the latter has other plans: he wants to go on a magical show tour. Mandrake also recalls how "Ming the Merciless", ruler of Mongo and near conqueror of the Earth, was stopped by Flash Gordon and the help of Kro-Tan. Now, on demand of Flash, Kro-tan is hidden on the Ming's old base, Ice Station Earth, his new home and sanctuary. Ming was beaten by the "Barin Atomics" launched by Kro-Tan. But, as Mandrake says, Kro-tan works only for Kro-tan, he may not be trusted and there is an old jungle saying telling that "a leopard can never change its spots"...

At the D.E. Rick waits to see his father but learns that unfortunately he won't be able to meet him.

Meanwhile the Phantom arrives at Mandrake's home. He still has to heal his wounds and will not be able to fight in Africa with Lothar because his very limited ability to travel. At this time, action has been replaced by apathy... Lothar says there is another matter: along the Bengali coastline, the Singh pirates who became brazen and have seen their attacks suddenly stopped, something frightened them into hiding. People believe that the "Ghost Who Walks" has returned, an impossible thing as the Phantom is present in America. Did an impostor take his place? In fact not, it is Jedda who with the agreement of her father's uncle, the Phantom's brother, fight against the Singhs as a real Phantom Woman.

Appearances

Recurring characters

• Mandrake
• Lothar
• The Phantom
• Flash Gordon
• Ming the merciless

One-time characters

• Rick, son of Flash Gordon.
• J.L., son of Lothar.
• Jedda, daughter of the Phantom.
• Kshin, Flash Gordon executive assistant.
• Kro-Tan, warrior on Mongo planet.

Locations

• St.Louis*

Reprints

This story has been published in the following publications:

USA

• "Homecoming", Defenders of the Earth #1 (Mad Cave) (2024)
• "Homecoming", Defenders of the Earth (Mad Cave) Volume 1 (2025)
• "Homecoming", Defenders of the Earth (Mad Cave) / 2026 paperback) (2026)