Gordon’s Alive… Again!
August 9, 2026
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Description: Flash Gordon – the movie adaptation! First released in 1980 on the heels of the now classic film, this 3-part adaptation by legends Bruce Jones and Al Williamson is getting a brand-new release! Relive the thrill of the beloved movie and revel in the extraordinary art of a comics master and long-time contributor to the Flash Gordon strip!
The Story
When Earth is attacked by the evil Ming the Merciless, Flash Gordon, Dr. Hans Zarkov and Dale Arden set off on a cosmic adventure in an attempt to reason with him. However, Ming has little interest in reason. Instead, he takes Dale for his harem, attempts to wipe Zarkov’s memory in order to enslave him, and has Flash Gordon executed.
Based on the original comic strip created by Alex Raymond, this graphic novel adapts the 1980 Flash Gordon movie into comics with stunning artwork from the legendary Al Williamson
Artwork
Al Williamson’s artwork for this book is stunning. He captures the likenesses of the actors from the film, but does so in his own stylised way. One example is Flash’s hair, which is a little more feathered than it looked in the movie. By this point, Williamson had been drawing Flash Gordon for years, having been one of the prominent artists associated with the Flash Gordon comics of the 1960s. Of course, by the late 1970s and early 1980s, the artist had become just as well known for his work on Marvel’s Star Wars comics.
Suffice to say, the artwork in this adaptation of Flash Gordon is tight and lush to look at. Williamson’s distinctive line work stands out as something that many artists have tried to emulate, with varying degrees of success.
Visually, there are a few things that differ from the movie, such as the sequence in which Zarkov’s rocket ship is pulled into Mongo’s solar system. In the film, a sort of psychedelic effect is used to depict the rocket ship’s journey. Williamson’s version is a little more grounded and organic, as we see the ship pass through various forms of strange space flora and fauna before its eventual landing.
Overall
This three-issue comic book series was originally released in 1980 through Western Publishing and comprised issues #31–33 of their Flash Gordon series. The three issues were re-released a couple of weeks ago through <a href="https://madcavestudios.com/series/” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>Mad Cave Studios, who have been running their own Flash Gordon comic series.
Although it is an adaptation of the 1980 film, there are a few differences in the comic’s story. For example, we do not meet Zarkov’s bumbling assistant Munson, who dies after Flash crashes the plane into Zarkov’s laboratory. Instead, we see the plane crash and Flash and Dale are immediately taken hostage by Zarkov, who flies them off into space.
Also absent from the book is the American football-style fight that Flash has with Ming’s guards. That sequence is shrunk down to a much more grounded bout of fisticuffs in which Flash ultimately stands victorious. These missing sequences in no way take away from the story. In some respects, they actually improve it, as this is a much more straightforward and matter-of-fact adaptation, whereas the 1980 movie went all-out for spectacle and gloriously over-the-top camp.
Suffice to say, if, like myself, you are a huge fan of the Flash Gordon character and also enjoyed the movie, then this book is a nice little treasure to add to your collection.
9.6
Flash Gordon Movie (Graphic Novel retelling)
- Cover
9.0 - Story
9.5 - Artwork
10 - Lettering
9.5 - Colours
10
Ian Cullen
Ian Cullen is the founder of scifipulse.net and has been a fan of science fiction and fantasy from birth.
In the past few years he has written for ‘Star Trek’ Magazine as well as interviewed numerous comics writers, television producers and actors for the SFP-NOW podcast at: www.scifipulseradio.com
When he is not writing for scifipulse.net Ian enjoys playing his guitar, studying music, watching movies and reading his comics.
Ian is both the founder and owner of scifipulse.net
You can contact ian at: ian@scifipulse.net
