Dynamite Entertainment brings a new version of Flash Gordon back to comics. Although when I say new, this version of Flash seems to have quite a bit in common with the 1980 film by starring Sam J. Jones, Max von Sydow, Melody Anderson,Timothy Dalton, Ornella Muti, and Brian Blessed.The comic opens with a bored Ming the Merciless deciding to toy with the planet of Earth. From their we're given a plane crash that Flash Gordon and Dale Arden survive only to be kidnapped by Hans Zarkov and taken into space in his rocket ship.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? However there are some differences including the fact the story doesn't take place in the 80's or the present, but in the era of Nazi Germany, and Hitler (believe it or not) will play a major role. It also introduces characters not seen in the film in its final pages such as the Lion Men of Mongo.
Aside from Mein Fuhrer playing a prominent role in the comic I have several qualms about this version of Flash Gordon. In most cases there's an unspoken agreement between comic publishers that when one starts putting out a public domain character in a new comic others won't immediately pile-on with their own versions.
Although the Ardden Entertainment line of Flash Gordon has lost some steam with its latest mini-series it's still a dick move for Dynamite (which has plenty of other properties) to move in and throw out their own version of the character while Ardden is still publishing Flash Gordon comics.
For a $1 it's an interesting, and more than a little bizarre, introduction. However, at $4 a pop (which will be the regular monthly price of all future issues) it's far less tantalizing. I'm also very mixed on the art by Daniel Indro which feels muddy and rushed in several panels. Worth a look (but only for this price).
[Dynamite, $1.00]
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