Flash Gordon, one of the greatest heroes that Earth, the galaxy, and even the universe, has ever seen officially makes his return to the printed page next week. More specifically, he returns next Wednesday, July 24, in the first issue of a new series from Mad Cave Studios. The issue, which follows up his re-introduction in Flash Gordon #0 at this year’s annual Free Comic Book Day, is an impressive return for the legendary hero. That is due in part to its story, which will be discussed shortly. The writing therein adds to the appeal and will be examined a little later. The issue’s artwork rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of Flash Gordon #1. All things considered they make Flash Gordon #1 a great new start to Gordon’s adventures on the pages of Mad Cave Studios’ new series.
The first issue of Mad Cave Studios’ new Flash Gordon comic book series, which is set to debut next Wednesday, is a great way for the company to launch what is only part of a bigger “universe” for Flash; a universe that also includes a new Defenders of the Earth series. The lead-off issue of the new Flash Gordon comic book series is such a positive effort in part because of its story. The story opens in surprising fashion with everyone’s favorite hero stuck to a table in a jail cell of course on “Planet Death.” He does not recall how he ended up there, though readers soon get an idea of what led to his imprisonment. Just as interesting is that right off the bat, readers see Gordon at his weakness, actually hoping for death because of what he has endured as the story opens. This is not at all what audiences have expected from Gordon over the decades that he has been entertaining audiences on the page and on screen. Of course, his imprisonment does not last for long after the identities of his captors (some anthropomorphic dinosaurs) eventually come in and reveal themselves after Flash and his cellmate get free.
Even after the pair escape their captors, the danger does not end there. Another danger literally and figuratively rises in the form of a giant tentacled monster that pursues the duo. From here, the 24-page story takes an even more surprising turn as readers learn what happened to Flash’s longtime love interest, Dale Arden as the result of what is revealed to have been called the “unraveling.” It is a shocker, but audiences cannot help but imagine Dale has something up her sleeve and things are not as bad as they seem, not to give away too much here.
Writer Jerry Adams is to be commended for the story and its execution here. There is no denying that. That is not all for which he deserves praise, either. His general writing, revealing not only Flash’s humanity but also his familiar cockiness (as he delivers the great one-liner, “Express elevator to hell…going down!”) and as he faces his captors head on in a classic style firefight, does so much to help keep readers engaged and entertained throughout this story. He is really depicted here as that classic style hero that seems to have sadly gone by the wayside ever since the turn of the century. To that end, Adams’ overall writing here is to be so highly commended. He has crafted a story and written it in such fashion that it like opening a time capsule from a bygone era.
The artwork exhibited throughout Flash Gordon #1 rounds out its most important elements. Artist Will Conrad has used his talents to craft a world that has the rough, gritty look of comics also of a bygone age. Nowadays, so many comics out there have such a sleek, spit shined look, but this opening issue of Flash Gordon is the rare exception to that rule. There is something about the use of the colors, the lines, and just general design that plays into that look. Even the way in which letterer Taylor Esposito and colorist Lee Loughridge help to highlight the words and bring the sound effects to life through their own designs plays into that appeal. It all comes together to make for an overall visual presentation that is just as unique and appealing as the story and its writing. Keeping that in mind, all three elements join to make Flash Gordon #1 a must read for every fan of a figure who is one of the greatest heroes in America’s history of comics.
Flash Gordon #1, the first official issue from Mad Cave Studios’ brand new Flash Gordon series, is a great way for the series to kick off. That is due in no small part to its story. Forget Ming the Merciless. For now, he is out of the picture. Rather, readers get a hero who is quite vulnerable and has to figure out how to get out of a very tight situation. He escapes it, but even as he does, another question is left looming. The story and its execution keep readers engaged thanks to its writing and to its artwork and lettering, as explained here. Each item examined plays its own important part to the whole of this lead-off to Mad Cave Studios’ new Flash Gordon series. All things considered they make Flash Gordon #1 not only a great start to the series but reason to be excited for what is to come.
Flash Gordon #1 is scheduled for release next Wednesday, July 24 through Mad Cave Studios. More information on this and other titles from Mad Cave Studios is available at:
Website: https://madcavestudios.com
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