A three minute clip from the forthcoming web series version of Buck Rogers was recently put up on YouTube. The series, starring Bobby Quinn Rice as Buck, will have some rather familiar guest stars:
Yes, that is Gil Gerald and Erin Grey, who starred in the 1979 television series version, which I just found out was actually the second Buck Rogers TV series. I think it’s rather cool that they were able to get them on board, and it’s a nice nod to the more well known of the series. (Although I’m sure plenty of people remember the old movie serials.)
Sadly, they never had a cartoon. Flash Gordon had three (well, maybe two and a quarter), one of which happens to be my favorite cartoon of all time, or at least my childhood.
The idea for the comic strip originated with (John Flint) Dille, president of the National Newspaper Syndicate of America, who convinced a somewhat reluctant (Philip Francis) Nowlan (who created a series of novels the comic was based on) to undertake the strip. As an inducement to Nowlan, who doubted his ability with the comic strip medium, Dille suggested that Nowlan take the first episode from “Armageddon 2419, A.D.” and change the hero’s name from Anthony Rogers to Buck Rogers. Dille then enlisted editorial cartoonist Dick Calkins to co-author and illustrate. As of 2009, Buck Rogers is owned by the Dille Family Trust, as successor to National Newspaper Syndicate of America.
According to a response by YouTube user “andriech” in the comments, they decided to give Buck the real name “Lucas” instead of going with Anthony or William, two names used in the past, making “Buck” a nickname. Anthony I believe is the one that the current comic uses, and comes from the original name of the character that became Buck Rogers. William is the one from the TV series, and is given to Buck’s father in the web series, both played by Gerald. Personally, based on the time period he comes from, I would have left Buck as his real name.
It appears that for this series, Buck will not come from modern day as in previous versions (“modern day” depending on what time period the series was produced), but will instead set it during World War 2, with Buck somehow getting transported to the 25th Century. I wonder if they’re going to go “utopia” like previous versions or join the comic in a more dystopic future.
By the way, you can catch the old radio drama version online, courtesy of the Internet Archive.
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