Mad Cave Studios released more detail on the upcoming Flash Gordon Quarterly, and it confirmed my hopes/suspicions. The book will allow creators to dabble in all things Flash Gordon for short-term hits. That covers both “untold stories” (my words) and parallel universe stories. As some of you may be aware, I have a tangential connection to the latter, having co-written the memoirs of Jason Williams, who played “Flesh Gordon.”
Not that I’m advocating for Mad Cave to continue those adventures.
But it is an interesting take. The first story, “The Fall of King Vultan,” sounds terrific. It isn’t just because of Brian Blessed playing him in the movie that Vultan remains one of my favorite characters in Flash Gordon canon. Reading the original strips by Alex Raymond reveals a character of great moral complication, though he falls more on the side of good.
The alternate universes could go either way. It’s good to see that no matter where he lands, Flash Gordon would be a hero. Though extremely square-jawed, it’s important to remember that (in the words of Queen) “…he’s just a man with a man’s courage.” So recasting everyone in other realities? The stories have to be strong. The press release refers to these stories as transcending “…existing continuity,” and though I love Flash Gordon, it’s a bold move when new readers may not actually have firm footing in that existing continuity.
I’ve learned to trust Mad Cave. There’s a reason Joe Quesada allied himself with this publisher. They don’t seem to make wrong moves, just interesting ones. So… I’m interested.
From Mad Cave Studios:
Brace yourself for a cosmic adventure like no other!
Mad Cave Studios in partnership with King Features proudly presents the inaugural issue of FLASH GORDON QUARTERLY: THE FALL OF KING VULTAN —a multiverse of stories set in the beloved Flash Gordon universe, promising to thrill both longtime fans and new readers alike.
Written by the imaginative Dennis Culver and illustrated by the dynamic Pasquale Qualano, this 20-page epic plunges readers into the sky-high world of Sky City. Follow Vultan and his son, Talon, as they face off against a cadre of deadly mercenaries. Enhanced by the vivid colors of Mark Englert and the clear lettering of Charles Pritchett, this father-and-son saga is a heart-pounding testament to heroism and legacy.
Flash Gordon Quarterly presents stories that transcend existing continuity and explore new genres, featuring two unique “Flash Fiction” feature stories, each 8 pages long, that push the boundaries of the Flash Gordon mythos including ‘The Battle of Little Mingo’ (Louis Southard, Nuno Plati, João Lemos, Buddy Beaudoin) and the noir-infused mystery ‘Flash Detective Services’ (Jordan Thomas, Russell Olson, Lucas Gattoni). From a western to a detective thriller, with even more to come, these narratives celebrate the versatility and enduring appeal of Flash Gordon.
Cover A by Stefano Simeone and Cover B by Filya Bratukhin and Jason Wordie.
Don’t miss this thrilling kickoff to a series that promises to redefine Flash Gordon for a new generation! Flash Gordon Quarterly: The Fall of King Vultan is set to hit shelves on Sept. 4th.
