Later this month, comics publisher Mad Cave Studio will release the third and final anthology of vintage Flash Gordon comics when it releases Flash Gordon Classic Collection: Volume 3 – The Complete Sunday Strips 1941 – 1944. Set for release March 26, the 203-page collection is a fine finale for this legendary newspaper comic strip that every comics fan should own. The collection’s appeal comes in part through its introduction, which will be addressed shortly. The stories featured within the collection are just as important to its appeal as that setup and will be discussed a little later. The general writing used throughout the stories rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the collection. All things considered they make Flash Gordon Classic Collection: Volume 3 – The Complete Sunday Strips 1941 – 1944 a presentation that every comics fan should own.
Flash Gordon Classic Collection: Volume 3 – The Complete Sunday Strips 1941 – 1944, the forthcoming final collection of classic Flash Gordon comics from Mad Cave Studios, is one more solid tribute to the legacy of one of the greatest comic strips of not only the 20th century but of all time. The collection’s appeal starts even before it starts in its introduction. Penned by Dave Gibbons this time out in place of Doug Murray (who authored the introduction to Volume 1 and Volume 2), the introduction here offers plenty of interesting historical background, such as how Dale Arden, Flash’s love interest, was inspired by Olivia De Havilland, who played the part of Maid Marion in The Adventures of Robin Hood. By no surprise, her co-star Errol Flynn himself made an appearance in Flash Gordon as Capt. Sudin, Gibbons writes. Additionally, he notes that the primary storyline in this collection was directly inspired by the events of World War II, as audiences see Ming The Merciless going from the typical evil leader to a direct mirror of a certain now infamous German dictator. His minions were even mirrored in the primary portion of the presentation as “secret police.” This is made clear as readers take in the story, which brings the war home for readers as Flash, Dale, and Zarkov return to Earth to help stop the Army of the Red Sword, which Gibbons also previews in his notes.
Another notable discussion that Gibbons provides centers on series creator Alex Raymond’s dedication to his star creation. He notes early on that the work of illustrator Austin Briggs on his hugely successful strip at one point so upset Raymond that Briggs would never go on to handle the art on another Flash Gordon strip solo. Raymond was so upset, as Gibbons notes, because of Raymond’s constant attention to detail in everything. In other words, it paints (no pun intended) Raymond as something as a Type A personality, but perhaps in a good way. This detail is sure to generate plenty of discussion among readers established and otherwise.
On yet another note, Gibbons raises the topic of the change in artistic style here, writing that Raymond changed his style from his use of fine lines to more direct brush strokes in his art. That was due to issues with how presses handled the look of the strip as its popularity grew nationwide. Audiences can be left to read that detail for themselves. Staying on that matter, the difference is notable in comparing the artistic style used in the first two volumes’ features strips and this collection. The colors are richer in this final collection and the overall design of the characters and backdrops is more defined for lack of better wording. The look of the strips in the other strips is more raw by comparison. This aspect is just as certain to generate discussion, especially among those with a more artistic lean. Between this item, the others noted here and the rest of the background that Gibbons provides, the whole therein creates a rich starting point for the collection.
Building on the foundation formed by the introduction is the pair of stories that make up the collection’s body. There are three distinct stories here, the first being Flash’s ultimate defeat of his longtime nemesis, Ming. The second story brings World War II home literally and figuratively as Flash, Dale, and Dr. Zarkov return to Earth to join America’s efforts against the Red Sword. The third and final story – the longest of the three – finds Flash and company returning to the planet Mongo, but not to face Ming. In the process the group ends up on a previously uncharted region of the planet and a whole new adventure. Through all three adventures Flash constantly ends up having to get himself out of some tight situations.
Those tight situations in question arise right from the outset of Flash’s adventures as he has to escape the clutches of Ming’s secret police and free his friends in the continued efforts to free the planet from Ming’s clutches. In order to escape those tight situations, Flash has to use his cunning, skill, and a series of disguises to defeat Ming’s forces, free his friends, and ultimately defeat Ming himself.
Things do not get any easier for the trio of Flash, Dale, and Dr. Zarkov as the group returns to Earth. The rocket in which the group is flying crashes in the ocean and the group has to convince American military officials they are on the side of good and not spies for the Red Sword. Speaking of spies, the all too familiar plot element of the bad guy infiltrating the good guys’ forces shows its face as another tight spot. This after the group is trapped at one point by a group of those spies. This is just one of two instances of the bad guy infiltrating the good guys’ ranks used in this story. Of course, Flash and company escape each situation. The whole, including how the group escapes those situations, will be left for readers to discover for themselves.
As the group finally returns to Mongo in search of more materials to build more military rockets for the United States, the trip results in yet another crash landing (this seems to be a recurring theme this time out), and another tight situation as the group tries to figure out next steps. What happens next is another action adventure story that is all too familiar itself today. It involves an evil mastermind looking to usurp a relative and become the all out ruler of the land – in this case, the land is Tropica, which is part of the planet Mongo. The tight spots abound in this, the longest of the collection’s stories. From facing the evil wannabe dictator, “Bloody Brazor” and his minions to a bevy of creatures such as giant termites, a giant lizard that lives in a fiery desert, a subterranean dinosaur-looking creature, and even giant bat-like creatures and more, Flash and company find themselves in constant danger as they traverse Tropica. At one point, Flash even nearly dies as he tries to stop Brazor’s invading forces by causing a cave-in of sorts. As if all of that is not enough, he dons his share of disguises here, too. In the end, everything has a happy conclusion. Sadly, one can only wonder if Flash, Dale, and Dr. Zarkov ever get back to Earth, considering that the Flash Gordon strip was cancelled in 1944 following Alex Raymond’s enlistment in the United States Marines. At least audiences know that Flash’s final adventure did end on a happy note even if it was the last. To that end, this and the other two stories featured here connect to make a whole presentation that is certain to keep audiences reading.
Speaking of the stories being considered collectively, this ties into the stories’ writing. Being that each story is told through a series of only six panels, Alex Raymond had to make sure that plenty of story was told in each group’s presentation, and he succeeded in that effort. Each “chapter” advanced each story just enough, giving just enough of a cliffhanger each time to keep readers interested. There are chases, gun battles, romance, all the standard fare of classic comic strips that interested boys and girls alike, as well as moms and dads. Flash’s bravado is itself classic hero monologuing. That in itself is certain to create a warm sense of nostalgia in any reader’s mind. That nostalgia and positive aesthetic ensured through the storytelling, dialogue and monologue comes together to make the whole of the stories such a joy to read even among those who may be less familiar with the world of Flash Gordon. Considering this and the positive impact of the collection’s introduction and the stories themselves, which are a great trip back in time to purer, simpler action adventure, the whole makes Flash Gordon Classic Collection: Volume 3 – The Complete Sunday Strips 1941 – 1944 a perfect finale to Mad cave Studios’ Flash Gordon retrospective comics anthology series.
Flash Gordon Classic Collection: Volume 3 – The Complete Sunday Strips 1941 – 1944, the third and final volume of classic Flash Gordon comic strips from Mad Cave Studios, is a firm, fully enjoyable finale for the legendary series of Sunday comics. Its appeal here comes in part through its introduction, which provides another solid back story to the strip’s history. The stories that make up the collection’s body make for their own interest and appeal. This is because they are just classic story telling. They are pure action adventure, finding their star constantly having to escape death and other danger at every turn while also proving to be that familiar leader. The stories’ writing puts the finishing touch to the presentation. This is visible in items, such as Flash’s familiar bravado and old school monologuing and even dialogue. What’s more, the ability of Alex Raymond and company to keep put just enough action and adventure in each brief six-panel strip goes so far in terms of keeping readers engaged and entertained. On the same note, the cliffhanger endings are just enough to not go over the edge. They keep readers on the edge of their seats without being forceful in doing so. It is another welcome touch that is just as prevalent in the stories featured in the other collections’ stories. Each item examined here does plenty to make Flash Gordon Classic Collection: Volume 3 – The Complete Sunday Strips 1941 – 1944 such a joy to read. All things considered they make the collection a fine, firm finale to a great, legendary comic strip.
Flash Gordon Classic Collection: Volume 3 – The Complete Sunday Strips 1941 – 1944 is scheduled for release in comics shops nationwide March 26. More information on this and other titles from Mad Cave Studios is available at:
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