FLASH GORDON QUARTERLY #1, by Mad Cave Studios on 9/4/24, details three tales of pulp science fiction adventure when King Vultan must escape mercenaries, Sheriff Gordon protects an Old West town, and PI Gordon works a missing persons case.
Credits:
- Writer: Dennis Culver, Louis Southard, Jordan Thomas
- Artist: Pasquale Qualano, Nuno Plati, Russell Olson
- Colorist: Mark Englert, João Lemos, Russell Olson
- Letterer: Charles Pritchett, Buddy Beaudoin, Lucas Gattoni
- Cover Artist: Stefano Simeone (cover A)
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release Date: September 4, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $5.99
- Page Count: 40
- Format: Double-Sized Anthology
Covers:
Analysis of FLASH GORDON QUARTERLY #1:
First Impressions:
Well, now. Flash Gordon Quarterly #1 is an unexpected treat. Fans of the classic space hero will be happy to see more than a little variety, a spotlight on somebody other than Flash for once, and alternate takes on familiar characters to get your imagination juices flowing.
Plot Analysis:
The Fall of King Vultan
King Vultan and his army fly to their kingdom while discussing the possibility of Vultan’s son, Prince Talon, taking a seat at the capital as a representative of the Hawk Man. Suddenly, King Vultan is attacked by a squad of Ming’s mercenaries. During the battle, King Vultan is wounded, sending him hurtling to the forest below. Prince Talon rushes to break the King’s fall, but the rescue separates father and son from their allies.
Can a stubborn king and his eager Prince work together to survive capture from Ming’s hunters?
Contrary to the title, Flash Gordon doesn’t appear in the first story, and that’s okay. King Vultan takes center stage in an excellent adventure that mixes battle action, pitch-perfect moments between a father who wants to protect his son and a son who is ready to be the man he needs to be, and a satisfying conclusion by Dennis Culver. Couple a fantastic story with Pasquale Qualano’s outstanding art, and this story is a winner.
The Battle of Little Mingo
Sheriff Flash Gordon and Deputy Dale Arden are cornered in one of the abandoned buildings of Little Mingo by a ruthless posse. Gordon begs Arden to hide while he gives himself up. Before he’s gunned down by the waiting posse, Governor Ming rides in to inquire as to why the Sheriff is willing to fight and die for an abandoned ghost town. The answer? Flash is a man who’s willing to die for his home.
What follows is a duel offered by Governor Ming for the right to own the town, winner-take-all.
Louis Southard’s Elseworlds tale of lawmen and outlaws in the Old West is a quirky tale that presents a different version of the characters you already know with a twist. Readers who know and love Flash Gordon will find this short to be a unique take, and the conclusion is relatively satisfying. Plus, the art by Nuno Plati is commendable.
Flash Detective Services
Private Investigator Flash Gordon takes on a case from lovely femme fatale Aura to find her missing fiancé, Barin Prince. The missing man is one of the few remaining politicians left in a tough city, so PI Gordon scours the streets, from low-level gangs to crime bosses, to find Prince or die trying.
Jordan Thomas’s detective noir story hits the nail on the head with a clever bit of re-casting by depicting Hans Zarkov as Watson to Gordon’s Holmes, Dale Arden as one of the few non-corrupt beat cops, and the Hawk Men as a gang of street toughs. Thomas wraps the story up with a solid ending and drops a hint for more cases in Gordon’s future. Further, Russell Olson’s art evokes a familiar Dicky Tracy aesthetic that blends the two properties very well.
Art Samples:
Final Thoughts:
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FLASH GORDON QUARTERLY #1 gives Flash Gordon fans a fresh twist on a familiar theme by recasting Flash in alternate worlds and genres to excite your sense of possibilities. Plus, the main tale, an adventure dedicated to King Vultan, is excellent. This issue isn’t a classic Flash Gordon comic, but readers in the mood for something different will love it.
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