Flash Gordon to Celebrate 90th through 2024
King Features Syndicate, a unit of Hearst and home to some of the world’s most popular entertainment characters, is joined by partners around the world in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the iconic Flash Gordon throughout 2024. Debuted January 7, 1934, the American comic strip, created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond, introduced Flash Gordon as comic’s first-ever intergalactic hero and has since become a timeless symbol of thrilling space adventures and heroic exploits.
Fans looking for fresh Flash Gordon content need look no further than the new comic strip, written and drawn by Eisner and Ringo Award-nominated cartoonist, Dan Schkade (Will Eisner’s The Spirit Returns, Lavender Jack). Launched in October 2023, the daily comic is available on ComicsKingdom.com and in newspapers nationwide, bringing readers new Flash Gordon adventures every day for the first time in two decades.
Announced in the summer, King Features has also brought on Mad Cave Studios as Flash Gordon’s master publishing partner with plans to develop a full line of new narratives, comics reprints and graphic novels starring the iconic hero. The initial Flash Gordon stories are slated to be released this year, starting with an explosive debut for “Free Comic Book Day 2024” (Saturday, May 4th)! A special Flash Gordon #0 issue will be available for free to fans at participating retailers worldwide. Flash Gordon #0 will thrill audiences with a race against time as Flash Gordon, Dale, and Doctor Zarkov try to stop the villainous Ming the Merciless from using the Unraveller, a device that can unwind an object to their subatomic structure in one apocalyptic burst of energy. Written by Jeremy Adams (The Flash, Green Lantern), illustrated by Will Conrad (Angel & Faith, Justice League: Odyssey), and featuring an amazing cover by superstar artist Dan Panosian, issue #0 will lead directly into the ongoing monthly series debuting in July, and also forecasts Mad Cave’s extensive Flash Gordon plans for 2024!
“As the first intergalactic hero, Flash Gordon’s comic adventures heavily influenced the modern genre of science-fiction from movies to television to consumer products and more,” said King Features VP/GM, Global Head of Licensing Carla Silva. “It’s our goal to continue meeting fans’ demands for quality Flash Gordon content and product so they can keep celebrating their love for the savior of the universe another 90 years!”
The heroic earthling has been celebrated for nine decades by loyal fans who have explored the stars with comics’ most famous intergalactic adventurer, fellow space explorer and ally, Dale Arden, and scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov as they fight to free the universe from the tyranny of Ming the Merciless. Flash Gordon has set the standard for science fiction adventure. Then, in 1980, the brand established another cultural milestone with release of the cult classic theatrical film, Flash Gordon, produced by Dino De Laurentiis and starring Sam Jones. The film combined elements of science fiction and fantasy, with a soundtrack by Queen and groundbreaking costume design. The film attracted a wide fan base and further solidified Flash Gordon’s legacy in pop culture.
Fans around the world can join in on Flash Gordon’s anniversary celebration with a wide array of new and returning merchandising partnerships. In North America, Flash Gordon’s pervasive legacy continues to breathe new life into pop culture and consumer products with several exciting new deals and renewals. American Classics, Inc. renewed their latest apparel agreement for Flash Gordon t-shirts and onesies to be sold in the U.S and Canada. Brisco Apparel Company, Inc. is adding the classic character to its current deal for a variety of t-shirts, hoodies, and activewear. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art inked a new deal to utilize Flash Gordon strips in educational presentations worldwide.
Internationally, Flash Gordon is experiencing rapid growth across publishing, entertainment, toys, apparel, and more. Atlantis Toy and Hobby is creating Flash Gordon-themed model kits for fans across Japan and the United Kingdom. Through deals brokered by Bulldog Licensing, King Features’ licensing agent in the UK, Brand Alliance Limited is set to launch Flash Gordon-themed apparel including beanies, caps, knitwear, loungewear, nightwear, socks, sweatshirts, tote bags, and t-shirts for UK fans, while Rubie’s will continue to release Flash Gordon costumes and costume accessories in Benelux, Russia, South Africa, and the UK. R&B Licensing AB brokered a partnership with Hybris Production AB for Flash Gordon apparel including assorted caps, sweatshirts, mugs, t-shirts, and more, available in Sweden.
For collectors, Vertical Licensing negotiated a partnership with Ibiza Collectibles to create Flash Gordon statues, sold in the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. King Features’ longtime partner National Entertainment Collectibles Association, Inc. (NECA) has extended its partnership to continue releasing Flash Gordon action figures based on the 1980 film worldwide.
In addition to the new daily comic and Mad Cave partnership, Flash Gordon continues to flourish in publishing internationally. King Features’ licensing agent in Spain and Portugal, Caravanserai Partners SL, brokered deals with Plan B Publicaciones, S.L. and Editorial Salvat to bring Flash Gordon comics and graphic novels to Spain, and with Hachette Fascicoli for reprints in Belgium, France, and French-speaking provinces in Canada. RCS Mediagroup, S.p.A and R & B Company – Zauberstern Records recently released Flash Gordon comic albums in Italy and Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, respectively. Brokered by Copyrights Asia, Takeshobo Co., Ltd. is releasing Flash Gordon books in Japan. Bulldog Licensing represented Titan Books in a deal that would publish Flash Gordon coffee table books worldwide.
Looking ahead to Flash Gordon’s next space adventure, a live-action feature film is currently in development at Disney, with filmmaker and actor, Taika Waititi, attached to write and direct the project.
