Flash Gordon #19 Review – Snarky Sci-Fi At Its Snarkiest

Flash Gordon #19 (Mad Cave Studios, 8/12/26): Writer Dan Abnett and Artist Manuel Garcia pit Flash and the ERA against the Mortifacts for survival, but one challenge only leads to a larger one. Filled with plenty of action, the series is headed in the right (albeit flawed) direction. Verdict: Flash is back in his element but with unpleasant company.

• Writer: Dan Abnett
• Artist: Manuel Garcia
• Colorist: Ceci de la Cruz
• Letterer: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Artist: Joe Quinones (cover A)
• Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
• Release Date: August 12, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 34
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Flash Gordon #19:

First Impressions:

A little snark is fine. Too much, and you can feel your tender insides wincing on every page. I like where this story is headed, but there’s a lot of painful dialogue and subpar art you have to muscle through to get there.

Recap:

Flash, Dale, and Zarkov led a rogue mission into space to intercept a large object headed for Earth. Members of the Earth Rocketry Administration (ERA) soon followed to stop the rogues and intercept the object on behalf of Earth’s officials. When both ships made contact with the planetoid, they discovered a race of beings – the Mortifacts – who have a hunger to recycle every bit of metal… and flesh… they encounter.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

Flash Gordon #19 picks up with Flash and his ERA colleagues confronting a hulking Mortifact brute, who wears armor that’s impenetrable to blasters. With a quick series of maneuvers, Flash uses his sword to cut the leather restraints on his opponent’s helmet, creating an opening to end the Mortifact.

Meanwhile, Director Gamble arrogantly attempts to negotiate with the Queen of the Mortifacts, but his efforts only hasten her order to recycle him and his allies. Dale Arden steps up and smooths over Gamble’s clumsy words, giving her the opening to get close enough to pull a concealed weapon and take the Queen hostage.

The issue ends with both teams reunited and transported to the surface to investigate a mysterious bit of intel – the Mortifacts recycle to survive against the far superior and deadlier creators of the planetoid – the Gliktar, aka Hiberghosts.

How is the story in Flash Gordon #19?

Dan Abnett’s script has all the bones exactly where they should be. You get a healthy balance of action and dialog, the parallel threads intermingle organically, the pacing is spot-on, and the cliffhanger is solid. However, the issue falls short in one key area – the dialog.

It’s painful. It drags, and it terribly undercuts the dramatic tension of the issue. Nearly every character is too busy eye-rolling, snarking, and ribbing each other that nobody takes the direness of their predicament seriously. The overarching tone of the issue is “immature.”

How is the art in Flash Gordon #19?

The second weak spot is the art. Manuel Garcia’s pencils/inks are loose to the point of sloppiness in spots. Especially in long shots, the characters are little more than articulated blobs. Garcia’s weak composition is made weaker by Ceci de la Cruz’s smudgy coloring. Granted, de la Cruz’s colors help Garcia’s anatomy and structure significantly, but the application of highlights is frequently washed out. Visually, the first volume of Flash Gordon was worlds better.

Characters

Flash Gordon #19 is an ensemble comic, but no one character takes the clear lead as the focal point. Everyone gets a solid moment to shine, which is not necessarily a positive when you consider the overly snarky dialogue. Furthermore, Abnett pushes Harlo Zane as a love interest for Flash, but Dale is strangely fine with it.

Originality & Concept Execution

To Dan Abnett’s credit, the concept of a planet-sized object headed for Earth that’s populated by competing alien races is a novel concept. For the most part, the bones of the story are executed well.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• The core premise is interesting
• Abnett’s pacing and action are solid
• Strong cliffhanger

Room for Improvement

• Overly-snarky dialog is off-putting
• The pencils/inks are weak
• The color highlights are inconsistent and not smooth.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 2/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2

Final Thoughts:

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Flash Gordon #19 has strong pacing and a well-constructed plot. However, Dan Abnett’s dialogue is a painful overload of snark, and the art team’s output is disappointingly rough. I like where the story is going, but I’m not enjoying the journey to get there.

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