Flash Gordon facts for kids
Flash Gordon is a super exciting science fiction adventure story that first appeared as a comic strip way back in 1934. Imagine a hero who travels through space to save Earth! Flash Gordon's amazing adventures have been enjoyed by millions, not just in comics, but also in movies, TV shows, and even on the radio.
Contents
The Story Begins
The Flash Gordon story was created by Alex Raymond for King Features Syndicate. It first appeared in newspapers on January 7, 1934. This was a time when many people loved reading exciting adventure stories in their Sunday papers. Flash Gordon quickly became one of the most popular.
Meet the Heroes
The main hero is Flash Gordon, a brave and athletic young man. He's often shown as a polo player or a Yale University graduate. He's always ready for action!
His loyal companion is Dale Arden, a smart and courageous woman who shares all his adventures. She's not just a sidekick; she often helps Flash out of tricky situations.
Then there's Dr. Hans Zarkov, a brilliant but eccentric scientist. He builds the rocket that takes them on their incredible journey. Dr. Zarkov's inventions are key to their survival in space.
Journey to Planet Mongo
The story kicks off when a strange planet called Mongo is about to crash into Earth! Dr. Zarkov builds a rocket to investigate. Flash and Dale accidentally end up on the rocket with him.
They travel through space to Mongo, a planet ruled by the evil Emperor Ming the Merciless. Ming is a cruel dictator who wants to conquer Earth. Flash, Dale, and Zarkov must stop him!
Battling Emperor Ming
On Mongo, Flash and his friends meet many different alien races and creatures. They have to make allies with the people of Mongo who also suffer under Ming's rule. These allies include:
- Prince Barin, the rightful ruler of Arboria, a forest kingdom.
- King Vultan, the powerful leader of the Hawkmen, who live in a city in the sky.
- Queen Azura, the ruler of the magical Blue Magic Kingdom.
Together, they fight against Ming's armies and his tricky daughter, Princess Aura, who sometimes helps her father and sometimes helps Flash. Their goal is to free Mongo and save Earth from Ming's evil plans.
Flash Gordon's Legacy
Flash Gordon became incredibly popular very quickly. Its exciting space adventures and colorful characters made it a favorite for many years.
From Comics to Screens
The success of the comic strip led to many other versions of the story:
- Movie Serials: In the 1930s, there were popular movie serials starring Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon. These were short films shown before the main movie, ending on a cliffhanger to make people come back next week!
- Radio Shows: The adventures also came alive on the radio, letting listeners imagine the thrilling space battles.
- Television Shows: Several TV series have been made, including a live-action show in the 1950s and an animated series in the 1970s.
- Feature Film: In 1980, a big-budget Flash Gordon movie was released, famous for its colorful style and a soundtrack by the band Queen.
A new Flash Gordon TV show premiered on the Sci Fi Channel in August 2007, bringing the classic hero to a new generation of fans.
Images for kids
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The first Flash Gordon comic strip (1934).
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A young corporal of the Home Army reading a Polish edition of one of Flash Gordon ("Błysk Gordon - Królowa Błękitnej Magii") graphic novels during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944
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Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon (March 4, 1934). Flash and Thun rush to stop the wedding of Ming and Dale.
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Cover of the December 1936 issue of Flash Gordon Strange Adventures.
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See also
In Spanish: Flash Gordon para niños
