Flash Gordon (comic strip)
Flash Gordon is a comic strip that blends elements of science fiction and fantasy, following the adventures of Flash, a star polo player, and Dale Arden, who are unexpectedly launched into space with scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov. Their journey takes them to Mongo, a planet ruled by the malevolent Emperor Ming the Merciless. Throughout their escapades, the trio encounters a variety of unique characters, forming alliances and facing formidable adversaries as they strive to escape Ming's clutches.
Created by Alex Raymond, Flash Gordon is notable for its striking visual style, featuring vibrant colors and intricate layouts that set it apart from its contemporaries. Unlike many comic strips that appeared daily, Flash Gordon was published weekly in color spreads, enhancing its appeal. The comic's influence extended beyond print, inspiring three major film serials in the 1930s and 1940s, which were considered among the most lavish productions of their time.
The impact of Flash Gordon on the genre of pulp science fiction is significant, as it helped define the archetype of the science fiction hero for the twentieth century. Its legacy continued through various media, including toys, a radio drama, television shows, cartoons, and a feature film, and it even contributed to the visual aesthetics of George Lucas's Star Wars. Its enduring popularity reflects its foundational role in shaping science fiction storytelling and fandom.
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Flash Gordon (comic strip)
Identification Science-fiction/fantasy comic strip and film series
Dates Comic strip first published in 1934; film serials released in 1936, 1938, and 1940
The Flash Gordon comic strip defined the look for action/adventure strips during the 1930’s. Along with Buck Rogers, the character helped to popularize the growing genre of science fiction, and the three film serials were among the most popular and profitable produced in the decade.
Combining the futuristic science fiction of Buck Rogers with the fantasy elements of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Tarzan series, Flash Gordon told the story of Flash, a star polo player, and Dale Arden, who inadvertently blast off on a rocket ship with a scientist, Dr. Hans Zarkov. The ship lands on the planet Mongo, ruled by the evil emperor Ming the Merciless. Together, the three heroes form alliances and forge rivalries with the wild and fantastic inhabitants of Mongo while fighting the forces of Ming and trying to escape the planet.
Unlike many of the daily strips, Alex Raymond’s Flash Gordon only appeared once a week in large, color spreads in Sunday newspapers. Raymond included vibrant colors, romantic layouts, and exotic details, making many of his rival strips look crude in comparison. The strip inspired three film serials, Flash Gordon (1936), Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars (1938), and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940), all starring Buster Crabbe, an Olympic swimmer, as Flash. While most film serials were cheaply produced, the Flash Gordon serials were among the most expensive ever made, providing fans of science fiction with one of the only examples of successful filmmaking in the genre.
Impact
Even more than its predecessor Buck Rogers, the Flash Gordon strip and serials defined the pulp science-fiction hero for the twentieth century. Raymond’s imaginative layouts for the comic strip influenced almost every artist of adventure strips thereafter. The comic strip continued for decades, and the character went on to inspire toys, collectibles, a radio drama, television shows, cartoons, comic books, and a feature-length film; furthermore, it helped provide the look and feel of George Lucas’s Star Wars (1977).
Bibliography
Kinnard, Roy, Tony Crankovich, and R. J. Vitone. The Flash Gordon Serials, 1936-1940. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2008.
Roberts, Tom. Alex Raymond: His Life and Art. Silver Spring, Md.: Adventure House, 2008.