FLASH GORDON RETURNS AT ARDDEN ENTERTAINMENT

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Ardden Entertainment, jointly owned by Rich Emms (previously EiC at Markosia) and Brendan Deneen, has landed the rights to Flash Gordon. The deal will see Ardden bringing the popular science fiction property to comic books once again with new adventures promised to thrill old and new fans alike.

“Having been through the self-publishing/small press set-up myself, and knowing that we needed something really great to kick start this venture into gear, I looked at trying to land Flash Gordon this time last year,” co-publisher Richard Emms explained to Newsarama. “In those almost twelve months, we'd been back and forth, negotiating for the series with a killer premise that Brendan developed -- but sticking to the original concepts/characters (with a twist) created in the 1930s.”

Originally created by legendary comic strip artist Alex Raymond in 1934, Flash Gordon has entertained readers for more than 70 years in not only comic strips and comic books but also live-action film serials, including Paramount Pictures’ feature-length Flash Gordon film in 1980, which still remains a cult favorite today; TV series, with the latest version currently airing on the Sci Fi Channel; animated cartoons; radio shows; novels; and the character even appeared on his own stamp as part of the Comic Strip Classics series of commemorative US Postal Service postage stamps in 1995.

“[King Features] loves what we have done,” Emms added. “A tip of the hat to Brendan and his abilities to capture not only the essence of Flash's previous outings, but an up-to-date retelling of an origin that has stood the test of time in the sci-fi hall of fame.

“After a few changes and holding back until we knew this was the right start/direction for Ardden, we finally landed the deal on Christmas Eve, signing the contracts in January 2008. What we have is something very exciting that will appeal, I hope, to comic book and sci-fi fans. It seems that retro sci-fi classics - like Dan Dare - are back in fashion. Flash Gordon, to me and many, is the quintessential sci-fi hero of the last 100 years and a true hero and icon of the pop culture world. After all, he existed before Superman, Batman and Spider-Man.”

The person tasked to write the new adventures of the classic science fiction character is none other than Ardden Entertainment’s co-publisher Brendan Deneen. Deneen was Director of Production & Development for the Weinstein Company and Dimension Films. He is now working as a literary agent in NYC.

“Brendan, who I regard not only as a dear friend and ideal business associate, is an amazing writer,” Emms said. “His miniseries, Scatterbrain (Markosia, 2006) won accolades and many great reviews. I'm going to be handling the whole design and packaging of the book… it's going to be something really neat and different than everything that's come before.”

According to Emms, the Ardden team is working towards completing the first issue by the end of February, “and in time to print for the New York Comic Con. The NY Con is by far the best place to do this and we'll be looking to do a mini tour around the NY and NJ stores. So interested parties looking to have a signing at their store can contact us and we'll bring the books and the creators.”

As for plans for the future? “Although it's a year or so away, we've already started to plan something for the 75th anniversary,” Emms said. “Yep, Flash turns 75 in 2009 and we'll have an Annual to celebrate the event. In late 2009, October to be precise, it's Alex Raymond's 100th birthday. So two big celebrations in one year for the creator and characters. The first issue is scheduled to be in stores in July or August, “with issues shipping monthly via Diamond, and then with the Annual to coincide for Flash’s anniversary in January 2009 and the first hardcover TPB - with bonus materials - in shops a month after,” Emms concluded.

For the uninitiated, the Alex Raymond Sunday strips have been reprinted by Nostalgia Press, Kitchen Sink Press, and most recently, Checker Book Publishing Group whereas the Mac Raboy Sundays were reprinted by Dark Horse, the Dan Barry dailies were partly republished by Kitchen Sink, some of the Austin Briggs dailies were reprinted by Kitchen Sink, and the Harry Harrison stories were reprinted by Manuscript Press.

DC Comics published a nine-issue Flash Gordon comics by Dan Jurgens in 1988. In 1995, Marvel Comics published a two-issue Flash Gordon comic by writer Mark Schultz with art by the legendary Al Williamson.

The most recent incarnation of Flash Gordon has appeared in the form of a new live-action TV series from Sci Fi Channel with Eric Johnson as Flash, Gina Holden as Dale and Jody Racicot as Dr. Zarkov.

Look for an interview with series writer Brendan Deneen tomorrow.

[HartyPotter]

Never really got into Flash Gordon. But I hope the books turns out well. I'd be interested if it is.

[holtom2000]

meanwhile, DC execs have a stroke, thinking their big story was leaked

[BornToRun]

I was just thinking that it's funny--whenever I talk about The Flash to people who aren't regular comic readers, the name Flash Gordon inevitably comes up because they don't know the difference--now the new Flash Gordon title is sporting a red color pallette and a lightning bolt on the cover??

[vbartilucci]

Curious to see what they do with the character.

Here's a good start...repeat after me.

"We will not be adapting the recent Sci-Fi Channel series, nor using any of its interpretations of the character."

With a character like this, you have so many people who'll be looking at it, hatchets in hand. Do you draw Flash as a teenager, or an older person? Does Ming look like Charles Middleton or Max von Sydow? Do the Hawkmen's wings flap? Exactly how naked is Princess Aura? These are all going to be hot topics of debate among Mongo-fen.

Originally Posted by BornToRun

now the new Flash Gordon title is sporting a red color pallette and a lightning bolt on the cover??

Well, the lightning bolt motif came along with the DeLaurentiis movie, really. It's a better film than it gets credit for.

[johnchrist]

Sweet! I can't wait to pick up a copy and throw 'Flash' by Queen on repeat:
'FLASH!! Aa Aaaaah! He'll save everyone of us!"

[SouthtownKid]

It's hard for me to get into a Flash Gordon that isn't in a Raymond-esque style (Williamson did a good one)... I'm fine but not crazy about the Raboy stuff, and I hate all the Dan Barry stuff... if it strays too far from the original feel, either in story or art, it loses me. But I'll give this a try.

[DocBrass]

it HAS to better than that crap that was on SciFi.

[greeneclipse]

On the one hand...new Flash Gordon series that sticks to the Raymond conception of the character? I'm there, provided they get a good artist.

On the other hand...DC's not doing it? Drat. And here I was hoping for a Superman/Flash Gordon team-up before I shuffle off this mortal coil. Maybe someday....

[GeorgeG]

This is a buy.

[Lemurion]

I'll look at anything Flash Gordon related that looks like it will have anything to do with the character.

So this deserves at least a look.

Either Middleton or Von Sydow style would work for Ming-- just so long as they avoid anything to do with the Sci Fi channel series; which would be easy to do so long as they make a comic about Flash Gordon.

[argent]

Personally, I was a big fan of the 1988 DC limited series. I thought making Flash a slightly older washed up athlete was a great modern interpretation.
Love to see that in a trade nowadays too.

[SouthtownKid]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

just so long as they avoid anything to do with the Sci Fi channel series; which would be easy to do so long as they make a comic about Flash Gordon.

Heh!

[hugueknot]

I loved that one, too.

Originally Posted by argent

Personally, I was a big fan of the 1988 DC limited series. I thought making Flash a slightly older washed up athlete was a great modern interpretation.
Love to see that in a trade nowadays too.

[trialsze]

Well, it is about time. I figured this and Buck Rogers were due to be revamped and done right. Can't wait to see this book.

[andytech]

No comments that the adventures of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden are going to be published by Ardden Entertainment?

[Julius Brown]

Hey guys remember Sci-Fi Channel's Flash Gordon was supposed to replace Battlestar Galactica as a less controversial more family friendly space show. Har har. It was garbage and treated as such.

As to the new series I'm sure it will be okay, maybe better than okay. But frankly there are lots of comic and sci-fi fans that have never read the Raymond originals. I don't see why anyone would go buy these instead of buying the Raymond reprints that are currently available.

[jasinmartin]

Great news!

I'm really keen to see what direction they take this, both in terms of story, and art!
Any word on the art?

Love me some Flash!

Congrats on the swanky license Rich!

It'll be really cool if there's something to check out at NYCC!!

[greeneclipse]

Originally Posted by Julius Brown

Hey guys remember Sci-Fi Channel's Flash Gordon was supposed to replace Battlestar Galactica as a less controversial more family friendly space show. Har har. It was garbage and treated as such.

As to the new series I'm sure it will be okay, maybe better than okay. But frankly there are lots of comic and sci-fi fans that have never read the Raymond originals. I don't see why anyone would go buy these instead of buying the Raymond reprints that are currently available.

Not all of the repints are available. I tried ordering Vol. 1 and was told it was out of print.

Besides, isn't this kind of like saying that there's no need to publish new stories about any established character because there's already repints?

[Blackbeard]

I'll definitely check it out. I'm a fan of the serial-era Flash Gordon, but that new Sci-Fi Channel Flash?
One word: no.

[K-DoG7p7]

who cares.. and why are they now using a ligntning thingie? and whan is DC going to sue them for using that?

[jonnynyc]

Ha... made me look

[MHELLER1974]

I'm interested. I'm actually a fan of the 80's Flash Gordon, the only Flash comics I own are the ones based off of the movie.
I absolutely hate the Sci Fi series wtih a passion.
I always wanted a comic that expanded on the 80's film, but I may very well be the only person that wanted that. My taste, and or lack therof, comes and goes, but Flash Gordon is and always has been one of my favorite movies of all time.
Either way, I'll give this a shot.

[SouthtownKid]

Originally Posted by MHELLER1974

I'm interested. I'm actually a fan of the 80's Flash Gordon, the only Flash comics I own are the ones based off of the movie.
I absolutely hate the Sci Fi series wtih a passion.
I always wanted a comic that expanded on the 80's film, but I may very well be the only person that wanted that. My taste, and or lack therof, comes and goes, but Flash Gordon is and always has been one of my favorite movies of all time.

Agreeing with what vbartilucci said earlier, the movie is actually a better adaptation of the original material than it gets credit for. I like it a lot, too. I don't know why some people blast it. And yeah, I wouldn't have minded more comic material spun out of the movie...especially if Williamson kept drawing.

The first season of the Filmation cartoon is pretty good, also.

[HieuLeBui]

Originally Posted by DocBrass

it HAS to better than that crap that was on SciFi.

That was a remake. Hopefully the comic is the true version.