Flash Gordon was originally a comic strip by Alex Raymond[?], first published in 1934. It was made into a movie serial in 1936, and followed by sequels and a television series. The 1980 film is remembered mainly for its music, which was provided by Queen. The comics and movies 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.

Includes the stories The Ice Kingdom of Mongo, Power Men of Mongo and The Fall of Ming, all originally appearing from 1940 to 1941. This quintessential science fiction title has all the trappings of what has now become the standard for modern-day sci-fi. Alex Raymond helped shape the landscape of this genre and this landmark work is now available in a beautiful and affordable hardcover edition.

In the company of Dale Arden, Flash Gordon embarked for the planet Mongo in 1934. That was in the Sunday funnies in a page drawn by Alex Raymond and written anonymously by former pulp-fiction editor Don Moore. This space opera became one of King Features Syndicate's most popular features, and Raymond's illustrative art was to have a strong influence on many of the young artists who began drawing for comic books in the late 1930s and the early 1940s—Tom Hickey, Sheldon Moldoff, Jack Lehti, George Papp, Mac Raboy, Dan Barry, etc. Flash Gordon entered comic books early in 1936 by way of reprints in King Comics. His battles with the merciless Ming, a sort of galactic Fu Manchu, unfolded in the magazine from the first issue. In the early 1940s Dell began issuing now and then Flash Gordon reprint titles. Later in the decade came an occasional comic-book offering Flash adventures "especially written and drawn for this magazine." The artist was Paul Norris, who also began drawing the Jungle Jim newspaper page in 1948. Harvey Publications tried reprinting the Raymond material in 1950 and 1951, giving up after a few issues. King Features experimented with publishing comic books in the late 1960s. These used original material, and the Flash Gordon book made use of such artists as Al Williamson, a devoted Raymond disciple, Gil Kane, and Reed Crandall. When King quit, Charlton took over and finally Gold Key. The final Whitman Flash Gordon comic book was printed in 1982. He reappeared briefly in 1987 as part of a team that included Mandrake and the Phantom in the TV-inspired Defenders of the Earth.

"Flash Gordon's classic era in comic books returns in a new archival collection ... Join the handsome and fearless Flash, his clever and capable companion Dale Arden, and eccentric scientist Dr. Zarkov as they face peril and danger in the wild landscapes of the planet Mongo and go head-to-head with the villainous despot Ming the Merciless! ... Ray guns, spaceships, and Silver Age storytelling - it's all here and it's all action!"--Jacket.

Clipped Sunday comic strips dated July 6 , 1969 to June 14, 1970.

The second of Checker's re-issue of the color Flash Gordon strips from the pen and brush of its unsurpassed originator, Alex Raymond! The work of a master at his best, these color strips were originally published in 1935 and 1936.

Beginning the complete library of the greatest science fiction hero of all time. Volume One will spotlight the work of Alex Raymond, legendary for some of the finest storytelling of the 20th century. Raymond illustrated the Sunday strips until 1944; with his clear and much-imitated style forming the original aesthetic of the most popular and easily recognised science fiction hero for decades to come. Introducing Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, Dr. Hans Zarkov, and Ming the Merciless, this volume will catapult readers to the deadly planet Mongo. These are the strips that influenced George Lucas to create Star Wars, and which illustrator Al Williamson said were "the reason I became an artist."