Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon is a comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond, first published on January 7, 1934.
The comics followed the adventures of Flash Gordon, for whom the series was named, and his companions Dr. Hans Zarkov and Dale Arden. The story begins with Dr. Zarkov's invention of a rocket ship, in which the three of them make a journey to the planet Mongo where they are stranded. Mongo is inhabited by a number of different cultures, some quite technologically advanced, that have been falling one by one under the domination of the vicious tyrant Ming the Merciless.
The three Earthpeople are befriended shortly after their arrival by Prince Barin, rightful heir to the throne that Ming has taken. Ming banishes Prince Barin and his followers — including Ming's own daughter, Aura, Barin's bride — to the forest realm of Arboria, and the three join in Barin's quest to topple Ming.
It was made into three serials starring Buster Crabbe from 1936 to 1940: Flash Gordon (1936), Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars (1938), and Space Soldiers Conquer the Universe (1940). A 1957 film adaptation starred Steve Holland.
A pornographic parody called Flesh Gordon was released in 1972.
In 1979, Filmation produced an animated series based on the comic strip and the first season is remembered as one of the better efforts on the studio. In the 1987 cartoon Defenders of the Earth, Flash teamed up with fellow King Features heroes The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician.
The 1980 film adaptation stars Sam J. Jones in the title role and also features Melody Anderson as Dale Arden, Topol as Dr. Zarkov, Max von Sydow as Ming, Timothy Dalton as Prince Barin, and Ornella Muti as Aura. The film is also noted for its musical score, which was composed and performed by Queen. It also contained a quote which probably sums up the whole Flash Gordon plotline: "Flash, I love you, but we've only got fourteen hours to save the Earth."
In 1988, DC Comics produced a modernized version of the comic strip.
It featured a Flash as washed up basketball player who finds new purpose in life on Mongo which is no threat to Earth, a Dale who is an adventurous reporter who is just as capable as Flash and a Ming who is less of an Asian stereotype.Synopsis
Adaptations and other versions