Since the 12th century, the Hanseatic League rose to become an important player for power in the Lower German regions. As a merchant covenant it enforced trading privileges on its members and did not hesitate to use political and even military means when these privileges were threatened. Not only towns on the Baltic Sea were a part of the Hanseatic League. In the entirety of Lower Germany towns belonged to the covenant. For a long time Cologne was the largest Hanseatic city. In its heyday the Hanseatic League had many hundred members. The heart of the covenant was Lübeck. The cultural influence of the Hanseatic League should not be underestimated either. That’s why most of the cities in the Baltic region, that were founded at that time, took on the Lübeck law. Cities’ main churches were often modeled after Lübeck’s main church of St. Mary.
The trade routes of the Baltic Sea were dominated by the Hanseatic League. Salt from Lüneburg was an important commodity. Salt was used all over the shores of the Baltic Sea to preserve the rich herring catches.
The Hanseatic League also traded outside of Lower Germany. The most important branches were the Stalhof in London, the Peterhof in Novgorod in Russia, as well as the offices in Flanders Bruges and Bergen in Norway.
So called „Hanseatic Days“ took place regularly until the 17th century. At these meetings, discussion were held and binding decisions for all members were made. In 1669, the Hanseatic cities met for the last time. The Hanseatic League was never dissolved.
The young Simon Wigge works for the rich Lübeck wholesaler Hinricus Luneborg. After a successful trading trip, he returns from Venice. He hopes one day to be rich enough to ask for the hand of his employer's daughter in marriage.
The mysterious monks Odo and Frodo are on a not less mysterious mission. Only one thing is certain: Their paths will cross those of the Abrafaxe again.
Hinricus Luneborg is a wealthy wholesaler. As a senator, he belongs to the city council of Lübeck.
Ulrike is the daughter of Hinricus Luneborg. Growing up with great wealth, she has developed a refined taste and the ability to spend her father's money almost as fast as he is earning it.
Clarus has run away from home to find happiness in the world. Clarus’ chances don’t seem too bad, at least if it comes to an actual meeting with the Abrafaxe.
Wegel and Agerer are muggers.
When they meet
the Abrafaxe it doesn’t end well. But ...
not for the Abrafaxe of course.
Genta has been working at the Luneborgs for many years.
You could say she was the good spirit of the house,
if there wasn’t a dark secret surrounding her.
This lady is the guardian of an ancient secret. Long ago, her father had buried a pot of gold with three comrades. All four belonged to the Likedeelers, which made them pirates. The hiding place of the treasure was hidden within four stories of which she only knows one. For a long time, she has been waiting for the other heirs of the treasure to come by to share their stories and collect the treasure together.
Klein, drollig und voller Charme [...] Mosaik ist ein Stück Leben.
Angesichts der Omnipräsenz der elektronischen Medien in Kinderzimmern ist die Comiczeitschrift „MOSAIK“ ein liebenswerter Anachronismus. Und ein erfolgreicher dazu.“
Zeichnerisch weiterhin auf höchstem Niveau, ist das Heft ein gelungener Start für die Serie.
