Dangerous Music
| Dangerous Music | |
| |
| 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 og strange phenomena
- Luciphor
One-time characters
- Captain Viper, mentioned only
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 fastes on snow-mobile, travels alone..."
Reprints
This story has been published in the following publications: