From the framing it looks like he punched out Dale, too.
Flash Gordon #1
Marvel (June, 1995)
“Treachery In Torneo” and “Prisoners Of Molluskum” WRITER: Mark Schultz ARTIST: Al Williamson COLORIST: Tom Roberts LETTERER: John Workman EDITOR: Tom Daning
Flash, Dale, and Zarkov have brought the Olympic Games to Mongo. Before festivities begin, however, Azura the Witch Queen kidnaps him. Flash forces her ship down into the water where they are captured by the Molluskum, whom Flash saves from a sea monster, earning the freedom of himself and Azura’s people. However, Azura uses her magic to have Flash tell their new friends to take them to her home rather than the Games. In Flash’s cell, Azura’s aide, Tralgor (I think that’s his job, I can’t find anything on him so he may be exclusive to this comic) frees Flash, with only one clue as to why Flash’s friend is treating him the way she is, the cap of an Earth boy in his possession all these years. Flash escapes, but his ship is forced down in the land of the Fire People.
What they got right: I’ve read some of the more recent attempts to translate Flash Gordon into an updated comic, and while I haven’t had any complaints as a critic, I’ve had one as a fan. I didn’t grow up with the comic strip since our paper didn’t carry it. I did, however, have the Filmation animated series and the Ice Dragon collection, both of which were true to what I would later find out the comic is like. The more recent adaptations strayed far from the source material so while they may be good I just couldn’t get into them.
This comic, on the other hand, is what I wish the newer adaptations were like. Williamson worked on the aforementioned Ice Dragon stories so it’s no surprise he can visually capture Alex Raymond’s vision of Mongo perfectly. Schultz has also done his homework and recreated Flash’s world properly. No space portals, everyone sounds like they should (Azura may be off, but that’s a plot point)…it’s what I want in a Flash Gordon comic.
What they got wrong: Why split this into two chapters? It’s in the same book. Is it an homage to something I’m not aware of? There’s a credit to Buster Crabbe, who played Flash in the old movie serials but I don’t think that’s what’s being referenced. Although I could be wrong.
Recommendation: I want a Flash Gordon comic series more like this, that is actually in the spirit of Alex Raymond’s creation and the years of comic strips that followed. I have nothing against what’s come out recently but to me THIS is Flash Gordon. Give this one a look.
Today’s Comic> Flash Gordon #1 (Dynamite)
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