FLASH GORDON #13 – New Comic Review

Flash Gordon #13, by Mad Cave Studios on 11/26/25, assaults you with interdimensional intrigue and deception when Flash Gordon hatches a plan for domination in a parallel universe.

Credits:

• Writer: Jeremy Adams
• Artist: Eder Messias, Tom Derenick
• Colorist: Lee Loughridge
• Letterer: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Artist: Will Conrad, Lee Loughridge (cover A)
• Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
• Release Date: November 26, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 34
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of FLASH GORDON #13:

First Impressions:

The opening pages slap you awake with a football game that doubles as a metaphor for surviving whatever nonsense the universe throws at you. The swagger is immediate: Flash takes lumps, breaks bones, but there’s a kinetic surge behind every panel that tells you giving up is for someone else. By the time the narrative leaps between universes, you’re already wound tighter than a quarterback’s spiral.

Recap:

In Flash Gordon #12, Flash barely survived the “Evil Universe,” caught between a suspicious alternate Ming and soul-sucking monsters that punish lies. The dimension-hopping chaos left Empress Arden a prisoner, Zarkov under deadly pressure to repair the portal, and allies scrambling to survive as realities threaten to smash together. The last issue’s cliffhanger? Each side teeters on the edge of total disaster, and Flash must prove who he really is: fast.

Plot Analysis:

The issue blasts off with Flash Gordon mid-football game flashback, nursing broken bones but refusing to falter. He lands a game-winning touchdown. Then, in a quick pivot, resumes his masquerade as the “Evil Flash” to gain the trust and army of a suspicious Zarkov. The double life is pulled off with Oscar-worthy deceit, as Flash schemes to use the rival world’s resources against both his own nemesis Ming and this world’s threats.

Flash manipulates his way through enemy territory, making strategic use of parallel technology – devices capable of ripping open time and space. Determined to track down Dale, he cuts deals and issues commands to mount an all-out offensive, playing factions against each other while mining clues about ancient machines. Trust is precious, deception is necessary, and every ally is a potential liability or asset.

As battle plans take shape, loyalty and treachery ricochet; even Zarkov, the scientific linchpin, holds information in reserve. The plot barrels through preparations for interdimensional war, with the fates of multiple worlds in the balance. Flash’s duplicity is matched only by his resolve to use his newfound army to end Ming’s rule and save the universe.

The final act kicks off with armies amassing, portals firing, and new alliances forged with questionable technology and victorious, winking bravado. The cliffhanger leaves the rebels ready to storm the palace as Flash preps to pivot back to his homeworld, still hunting for the ancient tech that might save or doom everyone. Next stop: The Cave of the Ancients, with Mongo’s future at stake.

Story

The pacing is relentless; dialogue comes at you fast and rarely wastes time. There’s an economy to the way scenes shift between action, scheming, and setup, which keeps things efficient but doesn’t always give big moments room to breathe. The script makes smart use of internal narration. Flash’s pep talks and desperate rationalizations land with sardonic bite and enough vulnerability to avoid cliché. Structure is strong, though some transitions could use clarity for younger readers

Art

Panels are dynamic, with energy lines and bold color palettes that sell the interdimensional chaos. Composition is sharp, action sequences leap out, and even quieter moments bristle with momentum. The colorist punches up the mood for every setting, using blues, purples, and metallic tones to keep the tone pulpy yet modern. Occasionally, background details get lost in all the motion, making a few scenes harder to parse

Characters

Flash is nothing if not consistent: brash, self-deprecating, and laser-focused on the mission, whether that means faking confidence or dragging the universe with him. Zarkov straddles the line between comic relief and vital plot device; his motivations hinge on survival but his loyalty, when tested, proves steel-clad. Side characters orbit the main duo, some a touch thin, but nobody behaves outside their established roles. Relatability is strong, though subtler growth is left for another day

Originality & Concept Execution

Alternate universes aren’t new to sci-fi, but the execution here is brisk and clever. The comic’s tone unapologetically mashes up pulp with metaphysical stakes. There’s no ground reinvented, but plenty of smart, self-aware fun. It delivers on its high-concept premise: hero in disguise, worlds colliding, neat gadgets, and gritty stakes for everyone involved

Positives

What stands out is the sheer momentum. Rarely does a comic juggle so many timelines, plans, and betrayals without dropping the ball. The dialogue lands with just enough wit to balance the melodrama, and the art takes visual risks that pay off in clarity during huge action beats. Together, the writing and visuals keep the story humming, so readers never feel their time is wasted or their attention taken for granted

Negatives

Complex storylines mean some transitions are abrupt, leaving new or younger readers occasionally scrambling to catch up. The high-octane pacing sometimes bulldozes quieter character moments, and a handful of panels end up cluttered when the action spills over. If you want revelations or emotional depth, you might have to wait until the universe stops exploding in every direction

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)

If you’re choosing where to spend your limited reading stamina, FLASH GORDON #13 is worth the risk, provided you like your space operas loud, fast, and a little unhinged. It’s not subtle, but it is self-aware, thrilling, and, most importantly, never boring. Just don’t blink, or you’ll miss a universe or two getting wiped off the board

---

---

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.