The first Abrafaxe story appeared in Mosaik 2/76 (which collectors call Abrafaxe #1). The heroes were three pirates from the 17th century: Alex, Brabax, and Califax. While the Digedags were disciplined education, the Abrafaxe were chaotic, humorous, and full of slapstick.
By the time the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the Abrafaxe had already become beloved figures in the West as well. The series continued uninterrupted, with Issue 355 marking a significant milestone (often the end of a major digital scan project or a story arc collected by MOSAIK Steinchen für Steinchen Verlag).
The Abrafaxe are the main characters of Mosaik Magazine. They are a group of friends (initially consisting of three main characters) who, through a magical artifact, travel through time. Their adventures take them to various historical and prehistoric settings, where they often find themselves in the midst of significant events. The series is known for its educational approach, aiming to teach readers about history and culture in an entertaining way.
A full Digedags run (#1-226) should be exactly 226 files, approximately 4.2 GB. A full Abrafaxe run (#1-355) should be 355 files, roughly 6.8 GB.
No. You will spend hours dodging broken links and pop-up ads only to find unreadable scans.
Do this instead:
The magic of Mosaik isn't just the stories—it's the detailed artwork on physical paper. Respect the legacy by supporting the official releases or hunting physical copies. Your eyes (and the publisher) will thank you.
Do you have a specific Digedags or Abrafaxe story you are trying to find? Drop a comment below—I might be able to point you to the correct reprint volume!
A solid feature of the digital collection (specifically the "Old Series" Digedags 1–226 and "New Series" Abrafaxe 1–355) is its comprehensive coverage of the longest-running German comic magazine in history. Key Features of this Collection Complete Protagonist Shift
: This span captures the legendary transition from the original
(Dig, Dag, and Digedag), created by Hannes Hegen in 1955, to the (Abrax, Brabax, and Califax) in 1976. Cultural Time Capsule
: These issues represent the pinnacle of GDR (East German) pop culture. At its height, Mosaik had a monthly print run of nearly one million copies Mosaik Magazine Digedags Ausgabe 1 226 Abrafaxe 1 355 Pdf
and was considered a "socialist alternative" to Western comics like Mickey Mouse. Unique Narrative Format
: Starting in 1962 (within the Digedags era), the magazine famously removed speech balloons in favor of text placed below the images, a style known as Bildgeschichte
(picture story) intended to promote a distinct German reading tradition. Historical & Educational Depth
: The story arcs are meticulously researched, covering themes like: Space Exploration : The Neos series in the early Digedag years. Historical Epics
: The Roman Empire, the Middle Ages (Knight Runkel), and the Orient Express. Guinness World Record : The Abrafaxe currently hold the record for the longest-running serialized comic
in the world, a legacy that began with issue #1 in 1976 (following Digedags #223). Europe Comics historical context of a particular era in this collection? The History of German Comics / Part 2 - Europe Comics
"Mosaik Magazine Digedags Ausgabe 1 226 Abrafaxe 1 355 Pdf"
Here's a breakdown of what this text might imply:
Given your mention of "paper," it seems you might be looking for information on whether this content is available in print (on paper) or digitally. The inclusion of "Pdf" in the text strongly suggests that at least a digital version exists. However, without more context, it's hard to confirm if a print version of this specific issue exists.
If you're looking for more information on obtaining a physical or digital copy of this magazine issue, you might consider:
Mosaik Magazine stands as the longest-running comic book series in German history, a cultural phenomenon that bridged the gap between East and West Germany. For collectors and historians, the specific span of Digedags (issues 1–223) and the subsequent era of the Abrafaxe (issue 1 onwards) represents the golden age of GDR "picture stories" (Bildgeschichten). The Era of the Digedags (Issues 1–223) The first Abrafaxe story appeared in Mosaik 2/76
Created by Hannes Hegen (Johannes Hegenbarth) in 1955, the first series followed the adventures of three goblins: Dig, Dag, and Digedag.
Mosaik is the longest-running monthly comic magazine in Europe, famously originating in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in December 1955. It is primarily defined by two major eras: the Digedags and the Abrafaxe. 1. The Digedags Era (Issues 1–226)
Created by Hannes Hegen (Johannes Hegenbarth), this era ran from 1955 to 1975. Characters: The trio consists of Dig, Dag, and Digedag.
Narrative: They traveled through time and space, exploring various historical periods (e.g., Ancient Rome, Medieval times, the America series) to provide educational entertainment.
The Transition: Following a legal dispute over creative rights between Hegen and the publisher, Junge Welt, Hegen left the magazine in 1975. He retained the rights to the characters, leading to their permanent retirement from the monthly magazine after Issue 223 (though some modern reprints and posthumous releases like Issue 225 exist). 2. The Abrafaxe Era (Issues 1–Present)
After Hegen's departure, a new team led by artist Lona Rietschel and writer Lothar Dräger introduced the Abrafaxe in January 1976.
is the longest-running and highest-circulation comic series in the German-speaking world, originally created in 1955 in the GDR. The history is divided into two distinct eras: the (1955–1975, Hefte 1–223) and the (1976–present).
Here is a deep review of both eras and the content leading up to issue 355. 1. The Digedags Era (Hefte 1–226 / 1955–1975) Protagonists: Dig, Dag, and Digedag (three kobolds). Hannes Hegen (pseudonym for Johannes Hegenbarth).
Known for high artistic quality, detailed background research, and humorous educational stories, often with socio-critical undertones suited to its East German context. Key Storylines: Space Adventure (Weltraum-Serie):
Early cosmic exploration, reflecting the late 1950s space race. The Romans/Greeks (Römer-Serie): Historical comedy in antiquity. The Orient Cycle: Set in various Ottoman and Persian settings. The America Series:
Often considered the pinnacle, featuring the Digedags in the 19th-century US. End of Era: The magic of Mosaik isn't just the stories—it's
Due to copyright issues with Hegen, the series ended with Heft 223 (late 1975). Heft 226/Late Period:
The final issues often featured high-quality, dense storytelling as the creators knew the era was ending. 2. The Abrafaxe Era (Hefte 1–355+ / 1976–Present) Protagonists:
Abrax (impulsive), Brabax (intellectual), and Califax (friendly/hungry). Began in Jan 1976 with "Das Geheimnis der Grotte".
The Abrafaxe offer a different dynamic, focusing more on traveling through time and interacting with historical figures, often with faster-paced narratives. The 1–355 Period: Dalmatia/Venice Series: Early, classic 1970s adventures. Orient/India Series (1980s): Highly praised for detailed historical settings. Post-Reunification (1990s-2005): The magazine transitioned to the Steinchen für Steinchen Verlag
in Berlin. Storylines became more varied, including adventures in China, Greece, and medieval Germany. Heft 355 Context:
By 2005 (around issue 355), the Abrafaxe were established in complex, multi-year story arcs, often exploring European history (e.g., Japan Meiji-Zeit, World Trip). Deep Review / Comparative Analysis Art Style:
Hegen’s (Digedags) style was often more detailed and caricature-like, while the Abrafaxe (developed by Lothar Dräger and Lona Rietschel) introduced a smoother, more modern, and varied art style. Narrative Focus:
The Digedags often acted as observers or "fixers" in a larger world, whereas the Abrafaxe are more proactive, frequently becoming key players in historical events. Educational Value:
Both eras excel at blending history, geography, and science with humor, making them popular for children and adults. Cultural Status:
is considered Eastern German cultural heritage, with many readers following the series for decades. 2025/2026 Update: The Return of the Digedags In 2025, for the 70th anniversary of and the 100th anniversary of Hannes Hegen's birth, the Steinchen für Steinchen Verlag
released new, previously unpublished Digedag manuscripts from Hegen's archive, drawn by artists Ulf S. Graupner and Steffen Jähde. This included "Duell an der Newa" (2025), which continues the original Digedags adventures.
Disclaimer: Searching for "PDF" for these issues often leads to illegal, non-official sources. Legal digital versions are available on and through official Mosaik subscription
Unglaublich, aber wahr: Ein neues MOSAIK-Heft mit den Digedags!