Flash Gordon: Dailies, Vol. 1

by Austin Briggs

Once again, Flash Gordon battles the forces of repression and evil on the planet Mongo - only this time it's on a daily basis! In 1940, top illustrator Austin Briggs began the first Flash Gordon daily strip, running as a counterpoint to Alex Raymond's classic Sunday page. In this first of a two volume set, Flash, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov are caught in a web of spies, political groups, alien tribes and freedom fighters as they struggle against the despotic ruler of Mongo, Ming the Merciless. Briggs' Flash Gordon art and story compare favorably to Raymond's acclaimed work on Sunday. For action and adventure, it's Flash Gordon - every day of the week!

Genres: Comics, Science Fiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

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Reviews

[Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Austin Briggs's figure drawing is superb, however his panel layouts often omit necessary details from being depicted. This is especially true in the 3rd (cliff hanger) panel when the text usually describes some scenario that must be happening off camera. The characters are hilariously dated. The 1940s must have been a Golden Age of Sexism. Both of the female characters are completely helpless, constantly feinting, falling into traps, and jealously bickering over which one deserves Flash's affection. I loved it.

[Paul Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cool to read the old Flash Gordon daily comics from newspapers of the 1940s, especially to see how they managed in only like 3 frames to conclude a cliff-hanger and then start another one to keep you wanting to read to the next day's edition as the storyline continues. Also interesting to see how women were portrayed as very weak and very sexual--both coming onto the male lead and periodically fainting during the action because it's just too much for them.

[Robert Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my review of Volume 2.