FLASH GORDON #3, by Mad Cave Studios on 10/16/24, gives readers a look into Ming’s upbringing to become the monster he is today, just in time for Flash to fight to the death in a Gladiator ring.
Credits:
- Writer: Jeremy Adams
- Artist: Will Conrad
- Colorist: Lee Loughridge
- Letterer: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Artist: Will Conrad, Lee Loughridge (cover A)
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release Date: October 16, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 30
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of FLASH GORDON #3:
First Impressions:
Fast-paced, action-packed, classic pulp goodness is the name of the game in Flash Gordon #3. Writer Jeremey Adams takes the spirit of the sci-fi serial adventure to heart with the backstory on Ming’s upbringing that explains his character without making him any less villainous, capped off with a rousing battle for Flash’s survival. Adams delivers.
Plot Analysis:
When last we left the Greatest Defender of the Earth in Flash Gordon #2, Flash discovered an unsanctioned gladiator ring in the bowels of Planet Death, run by none other than Prisoner Ming. Against his better judgment, Flash agrees to fight in Ming’s arena in exchange for the Merciless One’s help to escape the prison.
In Flash Gordon #3, we begin with Ming narrating the circumstances of his birth, upbringing, and education. Like all others of the royal bloodline, Ming and his “brothers” were genetically engineered in a lab to be the peak of his species, bred to be the consummate leaders. Ming, however, differed from his “brothers” in that he favored cunning and guile over fighting ability.
Adams smartly created a history for Ming, completely devoid of love, caring, or tenderness. Ming was bred from birth to be a ruthless conqueror, and even among his batch of siblings, he found a way to set himself above and apart, which made him even more dangerous as a youth.
As the boys reached adolescence and teenage years, they were trained for fighting and battle. Knowing the day would come when the boys would be set against each other for the right to rule, Ming found a way to eliminate his siblings with deception. In the end, Ming ascended to Prince by tricking the competitors into killing each other.
There’s nothing you’ll hate more than a villain who’s a slimy weasel. Ming embodies everything you hate about a proper villain by playing dirty, backstabbing, and pulling rugs at every opportunity to get ahead. In short, Adams has cemented Ming’s status as a proper villain.
The issue concludes with Ming using the same tactics to become Emperor, Ming using more of the same tactics to overthrow the warden of Planet Death while Flash fights for his life, and another forced truce.
Overall, Flash Gordon #3 is another winning issue that reminds readers why Ming is the villain you love to hate. Jeremy Adams starts the issue with excellent character work and caps it off with a rousing prison break, so readers are in for a treat.
Artwork and Presentation:
Will Conrad and Lee Loughidge hit the bullseye by delivering detailed backgrounds, excellent figure work as Ming operates from the shadows in his most deviant moments, and a top-notch fight for Flash against one of the prison’s largest inmates. You couldn’t ask for a better-looking comic.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Mad Cave Studios also publishers the Flash Gordon-centric Defenders of the Earth, so readers may wonder where the two titles overlap. Technically, Defenders of the Earth takes place several years after Ming’s attempted invasion of Earth, so if the two titles occupy the same timeline, they’re far enough apart that you won’t see any overlap.
Final Thoughts:
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
FLASH GORDON #3 is another winning issue that gives readers a look into Ming’s past to show how much trouble Ming will be for Flash’s future. Jeremy Adams delivers fantastic character work, action, and adventure, and Will Moss’s artwork is stellar.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
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.