Defenders of the Earth is an animated television series produced in the late 1980s, featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features Syndicate — Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Mandrake the Magician — battling the Flash Gordon villain Ming the Merciless in the year 2015. Supporting characters include their children Rick Gordon, Jedda Walker (daughter of The Phantom), Kshin (adopted son of Mandrake), Mandrake's assistant Lothar, and Lothar's son L.J. The show lasted for 65 episodes; there was also a short-lived comic book series published by Star Comics (an imprint of Marvel Comics).

When Ming the Merciless returns to wreak havoc, he immediately hunts down the man who caused him to lose his throne in the first place, Flash Gordon. In the process, Ming captures and kills Dale Arden Gordon, but not before she transfers her esscence into a special crystal. Flash then gathers together a force made up of The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician and his assistant Lothar. Also joining the heroes are Flash's son Rick, The Phantom's daughter Jedda, Lothar's son L.J. and Madrake's adopted son Kshin. Rick then invents a super computer using the crystal with his mother's esscence. Joining Ming is his son Crotan. Written by Brian Washington

Based in the year 2015, Ming the Merciless is about to take over the world. Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Lothar and Mandrake The Magician all team up to stop him. They get some help from Rick Gordon (Flash's son), Jedda Walker (Phantom's daughter), L.J. (Lothar's son), Kshin (an orphan) and Zuffy (a furry alien). Written by Elwood Blues