FLASH GORDON
Flash Gordon is a legendary science-fiction space hero created by Alex Raymond in 1934 for King Features Syndicate. Originally a polo player and Yale graduate, Flash travels to the rogue planet Mongo alongside Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov to defend Earth from the evil Emperor Ming the Merciless. Over nine decades, the character has headlined movie serials, feature films, video games, comics, and animated series such as 'Defenders of the Earth'.
Cronologia
Biografia
Flash Gordon is a courageous Earth hero who becomes the primary protector of the galaxy after an alien collision course threatens humanity. Originally depicted as a Yale graduate and polo player, Flash is thrust into cosmic danger when he boards Dr. Hans Zarkov's rocketship alongside Dale Arden.
Landing on the chaotic world of Mongo, he quickly becomes the leader of a planet-wide rebellion against the tyrannical dictator Ming the Merciless. Throughout his journeys across Mongo, Flash unites previously fractured alien factions.
He earns the loyalty of leaders such as Prince Barin of Arboria, Prince Vultan of the Hawkmen, and Prince Thun of the Lion Men by repeatedly demonstrating bravery in gladiatorial arenas and in battle against monstrous creatures like octosaks and orangopoids. In the 1986 animated series 'Defenders of the Earth', Flash Gordon steps into a veteran hero role, leading a powerful superhero alliance. Joined by fellow King Features characters—The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, Lothar, and their teenage offspring—Flash coordinates the defense of Earth against Ming's persistent attempts at conquest.
Storia
Created by artist Alex Raymond, Flash Gordon made his debut on January 7, 1934, in a newspaper comic strip designed by King Features Syndicate to compete with Buck Rogers.
In his origin story, Flash is an athletic polo player who finds himself caught in a global disaster when the alien planet Mongo threatens to collide with Earth. Scientist Dr.
Hans Zarkov invents a rocketship to reach Mongo and avert the catastrophe, taking Flash and Dale Arden along as assistants. Upon arriving on Mongo, the trio is immediately captured by Ming the Merciless. Flash is forced into arena battles, imprisonment, and dangerous political intrigues, laying the groundwork for his ongoing struggle to liberate Mongo and protect Earth.
I PEZZI DI FLASH GORDON
Poteri & Abilità
* Peak Human Athleticism & Conditioning: Trained as a Yale graduate and polo player, possessing formidable physical strength and combat reflexes. * Master Hand-to-Hand & Arena Fighter: Highly skilled in melee combat, surviving gladiatorial bouts against Prince Barin, masked tournament champions, and Mongo beasts like orangopoids.
* Expert Pilot: Skilled in operating Earth rocketships, Mongo rocket cycles, and modern hover-boards. * Expert Marksmanship: Proficient with sci-fi blaster weaponry, side-scrolling laser guns, and ship-mounted cannons. * Tactical Leadership: Able to inspire and unify rival factions across Mongo, including the Hawkmen, Lion Men, and Arborians. * Invisibility Technology Tactical Use: Utilized an invisibility device invented by Dr. Zarkov to outmaneuver Ming and his palace guards.
Apparizioni
* **Alex Raymond Comic Strip** (1934): Original Sunday comic strip debut created for King Features Syndicate. * **Flash Gordon on the Planet Mongo** (1934): Early Big Little Book adapting the initial space adventure comic arc. * **Flash Gordon Movie Serial** (1936): 13-part Universal Pictures serial starring Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon. * **Flash Gordon in the Caverns of Mongo** (1937): Hardcover novel detailing adventures on Mongo. * **Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars** (1938): 15-part Universal movie serial where Flash battles Ming and Queen Azura on Mars. * **Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe** (1940): 12-part Universal serial with Flash battling Ming's 'Purple Death' epidemic. * **Daily Newspaper Comic Strips** (1940): Daily newspaper strip run launched with artist Austin Briggs. * **Flash Gordon Live-Action TV Series** (1954): 39-episode syndicated TV show starring Steve Holland. * **King / Charlton / Gold Key Comic Series** (1966): Multi-decade run of standalone comic books and reprint issues. * **Avon Books Novel Series** (1973): Series of 6 sci-fi novels authored under the pseudonym Con Steffanson. * **The New Adventures of Flash Gordon** (1979): Filmation animated TV series running for 32 episodes. * **Flash Gordon Feature Film** (1980): Theatrical film produced by Dino De Laurentiis starring Sam J. Jones, featuring a music score by Queen. * **Flash Gordon Movie Special** (1980): Official comic adaptation published by Marvel Comics and drawn by Al Williamson.
* **Tempo Books Citadel Novel Series** (1980): 6 original sci-fi novels authored by David Hagberg. * **Flash Gordon Bally Pinball Machine** (1981): Arcade pinball game themed around the 1980 film. * **Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All** (1982): Filmation animated feature adapting Alex Raymond's early storylines. * **Flash Gordon Atari 2600 Game** (1983): Side-scrolling video game published by 20th Century Fox Video Games. * **Flash Gordon Mastertronic Game** (1986): Home computer video game for Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC. * **Defenders of the Earth** (1986): Marvel/Hearst animated crossover series where Flash leads a team of heroes against Ming. * **DC Comics Miniseries** (1988): 9-issue comic book miniseries written and drawn by Dan Jurgens. * **Defenders of the Earth Computer Game** (1990): Action game published by Hi-Tec Software for home computer systems. * **Marvel Comics Miniseries** (1995): 2-issue comic book run published by Marvel. * **Flash Gordon Animated Series** (1996): 26-episode series featuring a modernized, hover-boarding Flash Gordon. * **Flash Gordon Syfy Series** (2007): 21-episode live-action TV series starring Eric Johnson. * **Dynamite Entertainment Comic Runs** (2011): Major comic series including 'Zeitgeist' and the 'Kings Watch' crossover. * **Flash Forward Comic Series** (2020): Revolving comic series update. * **Dan Schkade Reimagining Strip** (2023): Modernized web and print strip adaptation. * **Mad Cave Studios Comic Series** (2024): Ongoing flagship comic book run featuring story arcs like 'New Worlds to Conquer'.
Relazioni
* **Dale Arden**: Romantic partner, assistant, and constant companion throughout Flash's space adventures. * **Dr. Hans Zarkov**: Brilliant Earth scientist who creates the Mongo rocketship and serves as Flash's key technical ally. * **Ming the Merciless**: Tyrannical ruler of Mongo and Flash's main arch-nemesis who seeks to subjugate Earth. * **Princess Aura**: Daughter of Ming who initially saves Flash, eventually reforming and marrying Prince Barin. * **Prince Barin**: Ruler of Arboria who evolves from a rival into one of Flash's most loyal allies.
* **Prince Vultan**: Leader of the Hawkmen who provides military backing and air support to Flash's rebellion. * **Prince Thun**: Leader of the Lion Men who fights alongside Flash during early confrontations on Mongo. * **King Kala**: Ruler of the Shark Men and loyal agent of Ming who opposes Flash in the underwater city. * **Lawrence Gordon**: Flash Gordon's father in the 1936 Universal serial continuity. * **The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician & Lothar**: Teammates alongside Flash in the superhero alliance formed during 'Defenders of the Earth'.
Evoluzione
Flash Gordon's evolution mirrors the history of sci-fi entertainment. Originating in 1934 as a clean-cut Yale athlete in Alex Raymond's newspaper strip, he established the archetype for heroic space operatic protagonists. Buster Crabbe's portrayal in the 1936 Universal serials solidified his image as an action hero fighting through serial cliffhangers.
In 1980, Dino De Laurentiis's theatrical feature film radically transformed the aesthetic into a vibrant, stylized camp classic backed by Queen's rock soundtrack. In 1986, 'Defenders of the Earth' reshaped Flash into a seasoned veteran leader managing adult responsibilities alongside fellow classic pulp heroes. Subsequent 1990s animated series added modern youth elements like hover-boards, while modern comic runs by Dynamite Entertainment and Mad Cave Studios have returned the character to epic space opera roots.
Da Collezione
Flash Gordon memorabilia spans vintage gaming hardware, print rarities, and home video releases. A premier collectible item from the franchise is Bally's 1981 'Flash Gordon' pinball machine, which holds historical significance as Bally's first split-level pinball table and the first to feature the 'Squawk & Talk' speech board, themed around the 1980 movie.
Retro video game collectors seek out the 1983 Atari 2600 cartridge produced by 20th Century Fox Video Games, along with 1986 Mastertronic and 1990 Hi-Tec Software computer tapes and disks for systems like the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. In print collecting, original 1934 and 1937 Big Little Books remain high-value pulp artifacts. For modern physical media collectors, high-definition 4K UHD and Blu-ray restorations preserving the 1980 Sam J. Jones film and the 1930s Buster Crabbe serials represent essential library pieces.
Curiosità
* The 1936 Universal serial was Universal's second highest-grossing release of 1936 and was so popular it was booked for evening theater shows instead of just matinees. * The visual design and logo of DC Comics' 'The Flash' in 1940 were directly inspired by the 1936 Flash Gordon serial.
* Wardrobe props from the 1936 Flash Gordon serial were later repurposed for scenes depicting Kryptonian ancestors in the 'Adventures of Superman'. * The 1981 Bally Flash Gordon pinball table was Bally's first split-level machine and introduced their 'Squawk & Talk' electronic voice sound board.
