I was only familiar with Flash Gordon through the cheesy 80's film, so I did not pay much attention to the property. Years later I picked up a copy of the old movie cliffhanger serial featuring Flash and I thought it was a ton of fun. It was when I finally read the incredible stories illustrated by Alex Raymond that I truly became a fan, though. The stories are endlessly imaginative and fast moving, and the art just has to be seen to believed. It's really some of the most beautiful comic work I have ever seen and when you compare it to most other comic work from the same era, it's even more amazing. Flash Gordon brought out the best in his illustrators, and there is also some amazing work from Al Williamson, Reed Crandall (whose art I used for this cover) and others. I have heard that there is yet another film adaptation on the horizon and I hope they go back to those Raymond tales for inspiration.
6 comments:
You are quite right to look at Flash Gordon to find stunning art, though the writing is not always, shall we say, top drawer.
But come on now. Come clean. You just wanted to write "Thing vs. Ming", didn't you?
Happy New Year!
Growing up on the southside of Chicago, WGN-TV brought out the Buster Crabbe serials as "The Original War in the Stars!"
Didn't get a chance to catch the Sci-Fi Channel series...
I did get a chance to pick up the first issue of the DC series in the '90's...
I'd like to see a rebooted Flash Gordon movie...
...with a BETTER soundtrack
Diana, I think you have been following tis blog long enough to know that I can never resist a hokey caption!
Dave, you speak blasphemy! The Queen tracks are some of the saving graces to that film!
happy new year!!!
by Dave ~
I speak facetiously! Amazing how music can salvage bad directing!
"Thing vs Ming", gotta love it. :)
My first exposure to Flash Gordon was the Filmation series back in the early 80's (I think). I haven't seen it since then so I don't know how well it holds up.
I do like the old serials and the old comic strips, and the 80's movie is fun in a campy way, but AVOID AVOID AVOID the Sci-Fi channel series from a few years back. Ugh! -Mea
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