Who is the creator of the popular comic strip characters Mandrake the Magician and The Phantom, both of which became famous adventure heroes?

Introduction / Context:

This question focuses on international comic strip history and famous creators of classic adventure heroes. Mandrake the Magician and The Phantom are two legendary characters who appeared in newspaper strips long before modern superhero comics became popular worldwide. Many competitive exams include such cultural questions because they indicate awareness of global entertainment and literary figures beyond purely academic subjects.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The two characters mentioned are Mandrake the Magician and The Phantom.
• The question asks specifically for their creator.
• All options list well known names related to cartoons or comics.
• We assume that there is one single correct creator for both characters.

Concept / Approach:

The key concept is to match each creator with their characteristic works. Lee Falk was the writer and creator behind both Mandrake the Magician and The Phantom, which were syndicated adventure comic strips. Walt Disney is linked with Mickey Mouse and animated films, Stan Lee with Marvel superheroes like Spider Man, Charles M. Schulz with Peanuts, and Hergé with Tintin. Remembering these associations allows quick elimination of incorrect options and selection of the right one.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

A useful alternative check is to remember specific credits often printed on old comic strips and reprint editions, where Lee Falk is named as the creator. Biographical notes on other listed personalities do not mention Mandrake or The Phantom at all, since their fame comes from different creative universes. This cross comparison further supports Lee Falk as the correct answer and avoids confusion with other famous names in popular culture.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Walt Disney: Famous for Mickey Mouse and for building a global animation empire, but he did not create Mandrake or The Phantom.

Stan Lee: Co creator of many Marvel superheroes such as Iron Man and Spider Man, yet he had no role in creating these earlier newspaper characters.

Charles M. Schulz: Known worldwide for the Peanuts strip featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy, not for magician or jungle hero stories.

Hergé: The Belgian creator of Tintin, another newspaper comic hero, but again not connected to Mandrake or The Phantom.

Common Pitfalls:

The main pitfall is guessing based only on name recognition. Many candidates choose Walt Disney or Stan Lee simply because those names feel familiar, without linking them to the specific characters mentioned. Another error is mixing European and American comic traditions and attributing all classic characters to a single famous creator. Building clear mental maps between creators and their signature works helps avoid this confusion.

Final Answer:

The creator of both Mandrake the Magician and The Phantom is Lee Falk.