Luciphor
| Luciphor aka The Cobra | |
| |
| First appearance: | "The Cobra" |
|---|---|
| Created by: | Lee Falk and Phil Davis |
Luciphor aka The Cobra is a character from the Mandrake the Magician comic strip that first appeared in "The Cobra", the very first Mandrake story.
Fictional Character Biography
The Cobra is Mandrake's most evil and dangerous foe. In a story from 1937, the Cobra was apparently defeated; however, he returned with a vengeance in a story from 1965. This time hiding his face (scarred and disfigured in battle with Mandrake) behind a menacing silver mask.
The Cobra's main goal is to acquire one of the two powerful Crystal Cubes which increase mental energy. These are guarded by Mandrake and Theron.
In later years, the Cobra abandoned his silver mask as his face had been reconstructed through surgery. The Cobra is sometimes accompanied by his assistant Udd.
Family
Mandrake learned that The Cobra's true identity was Luciphor, Theron's oldest son — thus making The Cobra Mandrake's half-brother.
Notable appearances
The Cobra has appeared in these stories:
| Year | Daily/Sunday | Title | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Daily | "The Cobra" | |
| 1937 | Daily | "In the Cobra's Grip" | |
| 1965 | Sunday | "The Cobra Returns" | with a silver mask and real name Luciphor |
| 1967 | Daily | "The Return of Evil - The Cobra" | |
| 1969 | Daily | "The Cobra Strikes (The College of Magic)" | |
| 1971 | Daily | "The Rogues" | |
| 1974 | Daily | "The Cobra and the Cube" | |
| 1974 | Daily | "The Search for the Cobra" | |
| 1975 | Daily | "The Frame-Up" | just a glimpse at the end |
| 1979 | Daily | "Mandrake's Gangster Gallery" | |
| 1981 | Daily | "Mandrake's Family" | Mandrake's half brother |
| 1984 | Daily | "Behind Death's Door" | without the silver mask |
| 1989 | Daily | "King Kered" | |
| 1992 | Daily | "The Book of Criminals" | |
| 1995 | Daily | "Pursuit of the Cobra" | |
| 1997 | Sunday | "Mandrake Marries Narda" | |
| 1997 | Daily | "Mandrake's Wedding at the College of Magic" | |
| 1998 | Daily | "Mandrake's Wedding at Xanadu" | |
| 1999 | Daily | "Siege at Xanadu" | first time in the strips, Luciphor and Derek meet each other as adults |
| 2007 | Daily | "Dangerous Music" | |
| 2012 | Daily | "Melody of Doom" | |
| 2013 | Phantom Sunday | "Mandrake's Bon Voyage" |
| Characters | |
|---|---|
| Supporting |
Mandrake the Magician • Chief Bradley • Hojo • Jed • Karma • Lothar • Magnon • Narda • Theron |
| Villains |
Aleena • Derek • Luciphor aka The Cobra • The Mole • The Octon • Saki aka The Clay Camel |