History ComicStrip / FlashGordon

->''"'''[[CrowningMusicOfAwesome FLASH!!! Aaaaaaah-aaaaah! Saviour of the universe!]]'''"''
-->-- ''{{Queen}}, in the theme song to the 1980 [[Film/FlashGordon movie]]''

''Flash Gordon'' is a classic science fiction comic written and drawn by Alex Raymond in the year 1934 and published by King Features. It tells the story of Flash Gordon, an athlete who travels with reporter Dale Arden and Dr Hans Zarkov in a rocket Zarkov built to the planet Mongo, ruled by [[YellowPeril Ming the Merciless]] (FuManchu [[AC:[[RecycledINSPACE IN SPACE]]]]). Flash sets to incite revolution. But wait! Dale is in love with him, and so is [[MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter Princess Aura!]] They are aided by Prince Barin of Arboria, Prince Vultan of the Hawkmen and Queen Desira of Tropica. Later stories featured Flash and company traveling to other planets, but the Mongo story arc is by far the most famous.

** TheSmartGuy: Zarro

->''"'''FLASH!!! Aaaaaaah-aaaaah! Saviour of the universe!'''"''

* HeroesPreferSwords: Really, now.

->''"'''FLASH!!! Aaaaaaah-aaaaah! Saviour of-the-universe!'''"''

!!Adaptations with their own trope pages include:

* ''Film/FlashGordonSerial'' (1930s film serials)
* ''Series/FlashGordon1954'' (1950s live-action series)
* ''WesternAnimation/FlashGordon'' (1979 animated series)
* ''Film/FlashGordon'' (1980 movie)
* ''ComicBook/FlashGordon1988'' (1988 comic book miniseries)
* ''WesternAnimation/FlashGordon1996'' (1996 animated series)
* ''Series/FlashGordon'' (2007 live-action series)
* ''ComicBook/FlashGordonZeitgeist'' (2011 comic book series)

!!Other adaptations provide examples of:

* AdaptationDistillation: The tragically little-known 1988 DC Comics adaptation.
** Also ComicBook/FlashGordonZeitgeist.
* AliensSpeakingEnglish
* HeyYouHaymaker: Used by the title character in one live-action TV Remake when he taps a {{Mook|s}} on the shoulder and slugs him when he turns around.
* RuleThirtyFour: There is porn of it. Specifically, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesh_Gordon Flesh Gordon]],'' a [[TheSeventies '70s]] softcore romp which has a cult following of its own, largely due to [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38XmSTDO6e4 this]]. (Yes, it's work safe, as long as your boss doesn't hear the expletives.)
* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains

There is also a 2011 comic book adaptation called ''ComicBook/FlashGordonZeitgeist'', which takes elements from all incarnations of Flash and adds its own twists and turns.

And then you have the animated adaptations... including one in advance of the 1980 movie by {{Filmation}}, the people who did ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries''. Perhaps best described as a children's version of a sketchy [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SP2CsHNHd8 rock album cover]] come to life, with [[PettingZooPeople lion-men]] instead of [[NapoleonDynamite ligers]].

* SomethingTheyWouldNeverSay

* MulticulturalAlienPlanet: Because the comic is set entirely on Mongo and doesn't do any standard planet hopping (at least, not until the strip's later years), Mongo is an [[LoadsAndLoadsOfRaces incredibly diverse planet.]]

Although originally a comic strip, there have been several adaptations of the story: first was the [[Film/FlashGordonSerial 1936 serial starring Buster Crabbe as Flash]], which was widely acclaimed and one of the more popular serials of its time. There were [[WesternAnimation/FlashGordon several animated series]], a 1950s live-action series, and a [[Series/FlashGordon 2007 live-action series]] by the Sci-Fi Channel, which is basically ''{{Smallville}}'' hampered by the fact that Flash Gordon is no Superman. (And let's face it: you ''know'' you're in trouble when people say you're not as good as ''Smallville''.) The series arguably improved after a mid-season {{retool}} and concluded its first season in January 2008. Sci-Fi ultimately declined to renew it, however, effectively ending the series on an unresolved cliffhanger.

''Flash Gordon'' is a classic science fiction comic written and drawn by Alex Raymond in the year 1934 and published by King Features. It tells the story of Flash Gordon, an athlete who travels with reporter Dale Arden and Dr Hans Zarkov in a rocket Zarkov built to the planet Mongo, ruled by [[YellowPeril Ming the Merciless]] (FuManchu [[AC:[[RecycledInSpace IN SPACE]]]]). Flash sets to incite revolution. But wait! Dale is in love with him, and so is [[MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter Princess Aura!]] They are aided by Prince Barin of Arboria, Prince Vultan of the Hawkmen and Queen Desira of Tropica. Later stories featured Flash and company traveling to other planets, but the Mongo story arc is by far the most famous.

* HeyYouHaymaker: Used by the title character in one live-action TV Remake when he taps a {{Mook}} on the shoulder and slugs him when he turns around.

And then you have the animated adaptations... including one in advance of the 1980 movie by {{Filmation}}, the people who did ''StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries''. Perhaps best described as a children's version of a sketchy [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SP2CsHNHd8 rock album cover]] come to life, with [[PettingZooPeople lion-men]] instead of [[NapoleonDynamite ligers]].

* FreudWasRight: why else does Flash use his sword instead of his raygun? And check out those rocketships!

* ''WesternAnimation/FlashGordon'' (various animated adaptations)

* SanDimasTime

* ShirtlessScene: In the 1950's TV series, Steve Holland (as Flash) always had a mandatory scene per episode where he'd enter the cabin of his rocketship while still changing his shirt, revealing a well-muscled chest.

** What more need be said than that ''StarWars'' was going to be a gritty reboot of ''FlashGordon'', [[UsedFuture minus some of]] the RaygunGothic aspects, but GeorgeLucas couldn't secure the rights.

Although originally a comic strip, there have been several adaptations of the story: first was the 1936 serial starring Buster Crabbe as Flash, which was widely acclaimed and one of the more popular serials of its time. There were several animated series, a 1950's live-action series, and a [[Series/FlashGordon 2007 live-action series]] by the Sci-Fi Channel, which is basically ''{{Smallville}}'' hampered by the fact that Flash Gordon is no Superman. (And let's face it: you ''know'' you're in trouble when people say you're not as good as ''Smallville''.) The series arguably improved after a mid-season {{retool}} and concluded its first season in January 2008. Sci-Fi ultimately declined to renew it, however, effectively ending the series on an unresolved cliffhanger.

!!The 1930s film serials provide examples of:
* CatFight: Aura and just about every other female character at some point.
* ClothingDamage: Certainly close to an UrExample for SciFi. It happens in the very first installment to Flash, leading to him DressingAsTheEnemy.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: Thun the Lionman joins forces this way.
* DeflectorShields (in 1936!): The "Resistoforce" on Barin's ship.
* DetectiveMole: Ming tasks his High Priest of Tao with uncovering a traitor who provided Flash information. Of course, the Priest is the one who did so.
* DramaticUnmask: Ming's [[InTheHood masked]] champion swordsman is revealed to be Prince Barin.
* DressingAsTheEnemy: Flash.
* ElectricTorture
* EverythingsWorseWithBears: Vultan's pet Urso.
* {{Flynning}}
* FreudWasRight: The rocketships are largely remembered for their phallic similitude these days.
* GoGoEnslavement for Dale... and [[FanDisservice Zarkov]].
* LovePotion: Ming tries one on Dale.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Flash single-handedly decimates a Lionman fleet... that was en route to assault Ming.
* NonIndicativeName: ''Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe''. The final installment features a tortured rationalization of the title that does not involve any actual universe-conquering.
* OpeningScroll: Invented it.
* PeopleInRubberSuits: Almost twenty years before {{Godzilla}}.
* PublicDomainSoundtrack: Besides music cribbed from various previous Hollywood films, the score includes pieces by Brahms, Chopin, Elgar, Liszt, PyotrIlyichTchaikovsky, and RichardWagner.
* SharkPool
* {{Slurpasaur}}s are the first of Mongo's denizens Flash faces.
* SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace: Flash and Thun [[WeddingSmashers crash]] Ming's [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe wedding to Dale]] before the gong is sounded the requisite 13 times. Which amounts to the same thing.
* SyndicationTitle: At one point the serials were syndicated on TV under the title ''Space Soldiers'' (there being an actual ''Flash Gordon'' TV series also airing at the time).
* TrapDoorFail: Inverted, as the door works fine on Flash, only Ming's daughter is inadvertently dropped, too.
* WeWillUseManualLaborInTheFuture

!!The 1980 movie ''Film/FlashGordon'' has [[Film/FlashGordon its own trope page]].

!!The various Animated series provide examples of:
* AmazonBrigade: In the 1979 Filmation animated series, Princess Aura had an elite guard of female warriors under her command known as the [[WitchSpecies Witch-Women]].
* AnimatedAdaptation: One in 1979, by {{Filmation}}, and one in 1996. Not to mention the 1986 MassiveMultiplayerCrossover ''WesternAnimation/DefendersOfTheEarth''.
* BackForTheFinale: The first season of the Filmation version climaxes with almost all the allies Flash has made through the course of the series gathering together for one big attack against Ming.
* CatchPhrase
* DrillTank: In the Filmation version, the Mecho Mole, first used by Ming, then hijacked by Barin.
* HeyYouHaymaker: Used by the title character in one TV Remake when he taps a {{Mook}} on the shoulder and slugs him when he turns around.
* KirkSummation: In the Filmation version, Flash gives one of these early on to Barin and Thun because he's sick of their racial bickering, and says the only reason a tyrant like Ming is able to hang onto power is that the peoples of Mongo are busy fighting each other instead of uniting against him. Thun comes to agree with him pretty quickly, but Barin takes a couple more episodes to convince.
* MassivelyMultiplayerCrossover: The 1980s cartoon ''WesternAnimation/DefendersOfTheEarth'' featured Flash joining other King Features heroes MandrakeTheMagician and ThePhantom.
* MechaMooks: Ming's Metal Men in the Filmation series, and his Ice Robots in ''WesternAnimation/DefendersOfTheEarth''. The Filmation series eventually introduced their [[RobotMaster inventor,]] Dr. Tav.
* PragmaticAdaptation: The Filmation film version, which was intended have Dr. Zarkov to be sympathetic from the start, changed the circumstances of Flash and Dale boarding his rocket. The solution was that the visitors are forced to enter Zarkov's lair while being chased by a flood of molten lava caused by a meteor shower inflicted by Ming. In that crisis, Zarkov immediately invites them into his rocket and since it is the only means around to escape certain death, the young heroes get in as fast as they can before it launches for Mongo. Furthermore, once Zarkov explains what he hopes to do there, Flash and Dale agree to help.
* RecycledTheSeries: The Filmation series was based on the [[StillbornFranchise expected success]] of Dino [=DeLaurentiis=]' [[Film/FlashGordon 1980 film]]. After all, ''StarWars'' had done so well...
* RedshirtArmy: Hawkmen.
* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: Well, the Lizard Women from the Filmation series may not be very ''nice,'' but one [[CuteMonsterGirl wouldn't exactly]] call them ''[[NonMammalMammaries abhorrent.]]''
* RobotMaster: Dr. Tav, in the {{Filmation}} version.
* SlaveRevolt: In the Filmation series, Flash ends up leading a ''lot'' of slave revolts. Mostly because the bad guys keep, well, [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim trying to enslave him.]]
* TeamPet: [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Gremlin]] in the Filmation series.
* TrickArrow: The Arborians' ice arrows in the Filmation version.
* WhenTreesAttack: In the Filmation version, the [[MeaningfulName Arborians]] are able to get their trees to defend ''themselves'' against Ming's Mecho-Mole.
** There are also a few [[ManEatingPlant Man Eating Plants]] over the course of the show. Thun finally comes to trust Flash after Flash risks his life to save him from one.

!!The 2007 TV series has [[Series/FlashGordon its own trope page]].

!!Unsorted examples:
%%
%% Tropes from the film belong at Film/FlashGordon.
%%