I have a nice over-sized book containing Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon work, and it is really something special. His illustrations are beautiful, full of lush landscapes, futuristic cities and characters that have facial and body types all of their own. It's no wonder that these cinematic images inspired so many over the decades. What makes the work even more incredible to me is when it was produced - the early 30's. I'm used to golden age artwork by and large being somewhat cruder than more modern styles, but Raymond's art can stand up next to any artist that has come since. It must have really made an impact on readers back in the day.
14 comments:
Another great cover! Questions...
Is that an Irv Novick Flash?
Would using Jay Garrick have been *too* similar? I never realized how close their costumes are...
Nope, Neal Adams - check the Labels, that's where I list the artists. Novick did do the interiors to the issue the Flash image came from, But Adams did the cover.
You're right, Jay's costume is an even closer match!
"Comic comes with a download code for the Queen Flash Gordon soundtrack!"
I grew up on Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon, he made a "comeback" when the movie came out. Considering the time, it's still pretty cheesy... The Hawkmen are pretty funny. I'm always impressed that Timothy Dalton went on from his role in Flash Gordon to Bond and then Doctor Who.
I saw Sam J. Jones at the Chicago Comic Con a few years ago. I was in line to get a picture and autograph from Margot Kidder. I wish I had been able to go over and get a picture and autograph with Flash...
There's a reason those Golden Age comics look so crude: most of the really good artists were conscripted for the War effort, even if they were technically 4F. The writers, too. That's a big part of why Golden Age stories tend to be simplistic, and the characters so often spoke with the same tone and vocabulary.
Nice pairing, but it brings up one of my pet peeves. I hate when someone confuses these two characters. Anytime I wear a Flash t-shirt someone has to say "oh cool Flash Gordon what a great old movie" or something.
Thanks. Mobile version of the blog doesn't have the labels. It DOES have the cool swipe forward and back functionality!
Maybe Jay for Part 2 of the "All-Flash Squadron" team up? With a cameo by Flash Thompson?
It would be cool to see Flash Gordon team-up with Adam Strange or crossed over with classic Star Trek
Don't count out Flash Gordon meeting either Jay Garrick or Adam Strange... It just may happen!
At long last! The _real_ Flashes of two worlds. Now, for a follow-up, I would like to humbly recommend...
...a tale of two Gordons (Flash and Commissioner Jim).
Flash Gordon and Adam Strange... that would be quite a pairing!
Isn't that an Al Williamson Flash Gordon? I think it was Wlliamson who had an affinity for drawing Flash Gordon to look like Buster Crabe (at least when Al was younger). I don't recall Raymond ever having drawn Flash Gordon that way.
P.S. @the other Anonymous:
That kind of confusion is nowhere near as intolerable as so-called X-men fans who incessantly misspell "Rogue" as "Rouge."
For the last time, people! ROGUE is how you spell the name of Mystique's ex-villainous foster daughter. ROUGE is how you spell the name of the cyborg version of Reed Richards (who has the hots for the Doom Patrol's Chief)!!
@Anonymous..... I see what you did there! Ross this cover is pretty darned good, so a sequel with Jay Garrick doming up? How about one with Flash Gordon and Bruce Gordon? Alter ego of Eclipso. Or Eclipso vs. Ming The Merciless?
Loved the Flash Gordon serial!
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