Diamond Comics Digest

Diamond Comics Digest was a comic book from India featuring Mandrake the Magician.

History

The series began publishing Mandrake stories in 1992, after Indrajal Comics had ceased publication. Diamond Comics Digest was published by Diamond Comics and featured different comics in each issue.

The issues were published in both English and Hindi versiones, in pocket book format and printed in color.

From issue #1 to #16, all were digests (68-116 pgs) and published bi-monthly (actually #3-16 were bi-monthly for sure with #3 released on Nov'91. So it's safe to assume that the first 2 issues were also bi-monthly and the release month of #1 was probably Jul'91.) After the 16th issue, publisher converted the series in regular forms (36-44 p) and hence from #17 (Mar'94) to #48, all were regular issues and published monthly. From #49 DC-M revert back to it's original digest format and from #49 to #73 (Nov'98), all were monthly digests.

The series had an unusual double numbering. First, a sequential numbering for the entire digest series, given in roman numerals. Then, a separate sequential numbering for each comic in regular numbers. On top of that, the digest numbering was different for each language version.

Most (if not all) issues were reprinted in new editions over and over again, sometimes with new cover art. Without any numbering some of the covers and stories from the regular series are to find as giveaway's.

The last Mandrake issue with new contents was probably published in the year 2000.

Issue overview

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40
41	42	43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56	57	58	59	60
61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70	71	72	73	74	75	76	77	78	79	80
81	82	83	84	85	86

Giveaways

Luxor

In 1998 (?) Luxor had a free "Diamond Comics Presents" (Mandrake) in their sets of; Colourmate 24 pcs, Colourmate 36 pcs and Colour Sketch Pen Set 12 pcs. The covers and stories were taken from the previous issues of "Diamond Comics Digest", independent of how the original issues were printed. Although the giveaway issues have the same cover the stories inside may vary.

• 

  Colour Sketch Pen Set 12 pcs

• 

  Colour Sketch Pen Set 12 pcs "The Smuggler Pigeons"

• 

  Colourmate 24 pcs

• 

  Colourmate 36 pcs

• 

  Colourmate 36 pcs

• 

  Colourmate 36 pcs

• 

  Colourmate 36 pcs

Creamwich

In 1997 "Excelsia Foods Ltd" marketed Creamwich, a wafer-based biscuits priced at Rs 2 (10-gm) and Rs 14 (70-gm). The Creamwich 70 gm had a free Diamond Comics Mandrake. The covers and stories were taken from the previous issues of "Diamond Comics Digest", independent of how the original issues were printed.

• 

  Mandrake #1

• Digest-mandrake-Creamwich-02.jpg

  Mandrake #2

• 

  Mandrake #3

Unknown

Although this issue has a cover price, it is probably a Giveaway.

• 

  Mandrake
  The Giant Insects

• 

  Mandrake
  Hindi version

Comic World

About 1998 there was a Mandrake giveaway with the story "The Ears of the Earth"; "FREE with this issue of Comic World"