Questions
Who created Flash Gordon and when did it start?
Artist Alex Raymond created Flash Gordon for King Features Syndicate, and the comic strip debuted on January 7, 1934. He worked with ghostwriter Don W. Moore, an experienced editor and writer.
Why was Flash Gordon created in the first place?
King Features wanted to compete with the already popular Buck Rogers strip. They first tried to buy the rights to Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter of Mars stories, but when they couldn’t reach a deal they commissioned an original hero instead.
Who is Flash Gordon supposed to be?
In the strip he is described as a handsome polo player and Yale University graduate. He travels by rocket ship to the planet Mongo with Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov.
Who is the villain?
Ming the Merciless, the evil ruler of the planet Mongo, is Flash’s main enemy throughout the series.
How popular did the comic strip get?
By the late 1930s it was published in 130 newspapers, translated into eight foreign languages, and reportedly read by 50 million people. The Sunday strip ran from 1934 all the way to 2003.
Did Flash Gordon have different names in other countries?
Yes. In Australia he was retitled Speed Gordon to avoid negative connotations, and in France he was known as Guy l’Éclair with Dale renamed Camille. Nazi Germany banned the strip and Fascist Italy limited it to two newspapers.
Who played Flash in the classic movie serials?
Buster Crabbe starred in three Universal serials: Flash Gordon (1936), Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars (1938), and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940). They were later re-edited into feature length films.
Is it true George Lucas made Star Wars because of Flash Gordon?
Reportedly yes. Lucas tried to acquire the rights to Flash Gordon and, unable to secure them, created Star Wars instead.
Who did the music for the 1980 movie?
The rock band Queen composed the entire score, including the iconic theme song ’Flash.’ The film was directed by Mike Hodges and produced by Dino De Laurentiis.
Who starred in the 1980 Flash Gordon film?
Sam J. Jones, a former Playgirl centerfold, played Flash. The cast also included Max von Sydow as Ming, Timothy Dalton as Prince Barin, and Brian Blessed as Prince Vultan.
What is that famous ’GORDON’S ALIVE?!’ line?
It is Brian Blessed’s single shouted line as Prince Vultan in the 1980 film. Decades later it reportedly remained the most repeated and recycled quotation from both the movie and Blessed’s whole career.
Did other famous directors nearly make Flash Gordon?
Yes. Federico Fellini optioned the rights but never produced a film, Nicolas Roeg was hired then left after De Laurentiis disliked his vision, and Sergio Leone declined because he felt the script was not faithful to Raymond’s strips.
Did Flash Gordon influence superheroes?
Absolutely. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster reportedly based Superman’s tights-and-cape costume on Flash Gordon’s outfit, and Bob Kane’s Batman design in Detective Comics No. 27 was reportedly derived from a 1937 Alex Raymond Flash Gordon drawing.
Was there a Flash Gordon radio show?
Yes. Starting April 22, 1935, it became a 26-episode radio serial called The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon, with Gale Gordon, later famous for The Lucy Show, playing Flash.
Does Flash Gordon still show up in pop culture today?
Yes. The 1980 film featured prominently in Ted (2012) and Ted 2 (2015), sparking a resurgence of interest, and Avengers: Infinity War has Iron Man mockingly calling Star-Lord ’Flash Gordon’ for looking like a space hero.
