From
the Longbox – Flash Gordon (Dynamite)
Jeff
Parker
Evan
Shaner
Jordie
Bellaire
Synopsis:
The
classic space opera joins the adventures of Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, and Dr.
Hans Zarkov mid-adventure. This series has two story arcs, first on the forest
planet Arboria and then the Sky World, specifically the city of the hawkmen.
Who
would like it:
Fans
of space adventures, action, and explosions.
Anyone who's first reaction to the word "Flash" is to sing like Freddie Mercury.
Yes. Yes I will.
My
Opinion:
This
isn’t Shakespeare, but it’s full of fun action and faraway places. I really
enjoy the borderline minimalistic drawings of Flash Gordon and his friends while still having
ridiculous details for the extravagant settings. This series succeeds in
everything I wanted from a Flash Gordon comic.
My
main complaint is that when I first started reading, I didn’t realize that this
series was a pseudo-sequel/spin-off to a previous Dynamite series. It begins
with a one page backstory for Dale, another page for Zarkov, then three pages
for Flash. Then you flip the next page and you’re mid-spaceship dogfight.
I’m
not complaining about the action, but it gave me a bit of whiplash. Not until
issue 4 do you actually get any true backstory catch up and by then it’s a
little too late. I'd rather just have a text intro on the first credit page to catch us up to speed a la the old Flash Gordon text crawl to begin an episode. Then jump into the action. Either do a lot of backstory or none. Not somewhere in between. But in hindsight, Flash Gordon’s backstory is a setup
for the crux of the series conclusion which I like a lot.
Oh,
and I don’t recommend reading the Annual or Holiday Special. Both had some okay
moments, but on the whole, you should just skip them unless you’re really desperate.
Reason to read (SPOILERS):
You
might read for the amazing worlds our heroes visit.
Like Arboria...
And Sky World...
But
really you want to see some of this…
This…
More
of this…
This…
Any
why not one more of these…
But
I was surprised that my favorite part came during the plot heavy turn in the finale. In issue
8 Flash, Dale, and Zarkov are back on earth as national heroes and world-renown
celebrities. Dale and Zarkov are now leaders in their fields, but Flash is hiding
from the spotlight. He is struggling with his sense of purpose. Flash’s
prevailing character trait throughout the whole series is his need to do the
right thing no matter what. But now for his own safety as a national hero he’s
forced not to act. He is too valuable as an icon for the leaders to let him return
to the fight. Despite the perks of being a hero, Flash is more troubled by the
fact that there are still millions of people enslaved by Ming the Merciless. It feels like there's nothing he can do, but
we get by with a little help from our friends.
And
the issue happily ends with what we’ve grown to love about this series: a
massive fight in the center of the Hawkmen's city.
Reflecting on the Hero's Crossroad: