TALKING FLASH GORDON WITH BRENDAN DENEEN

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Last week, we brought you news that Ardden Entertainment has secured the rights to produce new Flash Gordon comic books.

“[King Features] loves what we have done,” said co-publisher Richard Emms in an earlier interview with Newsarama. “A tip of the hat to [co-publisher and writer] Brendan [Deneen] 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.”

As promised, we now turn to Brendan Deneen for his take on the new Flash Gordon comic book.

But first, a quick word from Mr. Deneen himself: “First off, I couldn’t be more excited to be re-imagining and writing such a classic science-fiction character. When I was eight years old, I saw the Flash Gordon feature film in the theater and absolutely loved it… the heroics of Flash, the pure evil of Ming, the beauty and sexiness of Dale Arden and Princess Aura, the coolness of Mongo and its inhabitants… and, of course, the Queen soundtrack. My eight-year-old self would never have believed that someday I would actually have the honor of chronicling the 21st century adventures of Flash Gordon and his crew.”

Newsarama: Brendan, could you tell us what your/Arrden's original/approved pitch to King Features was?

Brendan Deneen: When I started thinking about how I wanted to approach a reboot of the Flash Gordon mythos, I decided the best way to get rolling was to read the source material. I picked up the hardcover editions that reprint the Flash Gordon comic strips from the 1930s and really just immersed myself in Alex Raymond’s incredibly imaginative and exciting world. There was so much to work with that I decided to stay as true to the original concepts as possible while injecting a modern sensibility to the characters and action. We went back and forth with King Features a couple of times, tweaking elements to satisfy both parties, and settled on a storyline that mixes the classic Flash Gordon story with a 21st century edge.

NRAMA: So, what kind of story have you come up with for the first arc then?

BD: The first arc is more-or-less our “origin story” for Flash, the supporting characters, and Mongo. All of the classic elements are there… Flash, Dale and Dr. Zarkov are transported to the fantastical world of Mongo, which is ruled by the intelligent and evil Ming, although a number of factions are seeking to overthrow him. However, there are some significant changes as well. Ming’s beautiful daughter, Princess Aura, was recently killed by Arborian Rangers; Prince Barin is a rebel who’s been exiled to Frigia, an arctic wasteland on the outskirts of Mongo; and our three main heroes (Flash, Dale and Zarkov) are separated pretty much immediately after their arrival on this strange planet. All of the characters’ divergent storylines will thread through one another’s until they’re finally all reunited at the end of the first arc. I promise a lot of twists and turns, and a couple of surprises as well.

NRAMA: How are the characters updated for the 21st century? Care to share your versions of Flash and the gang with our readers?

BD: In keeping with the spirit of the original comic strip, in which Flash was a professional polo player, I’ve made the new version of the character a former Olympic athlete. Also, in the very first strip from the 1930s, it’s mentioned that Flash is a Yale graduate, so I’ve actually made him a Professor of Political History & Theory at Yale University (and he also coaches the polo team there).

In this new version, Dale Arden is a CIA Agent, and that’s how she and Flash know each other. They met and fell in love while in training to join the Company but Flash either quit or was kicked out before he became an Agent (it depends if you ask Flash or Dale about the truth behind him leaving!). He decided to segue into academia but he still has a taste for adventure.

Dr. Hans Zarkov was a friend of Flash’s but Zarkov seemingly began to lose his mind, spiraling into paranoia, and vanished years ago.

As for Ming, in my version he’s actually called “Ming the Merciful” and sees himself (or at least presents himself) as a benevolent dictator who is constantly being attacked by insurgents. His relationship with Dale will actually play on that theme as he attempts to seduce her, since both her beauty and her CIA skills appeal to Ming. However, his true colors will surface soon enough.

Meanwhile, Flash will be holed up with the rebels, and his knowledge of military tactics will come into play when they take the fight to Ming. There are also a number of cool Mongon characters and species, some of which will be familiar to fans of the 1980 film, and also many others inspired by the original comic strip.

NRAMA: What do you guys hope to offer to today's readers with your new Flash Gordon series?

BD: Honestly, I’m looking to offer exactly what Alex Raymond offered over 70 years ago… action, adventure and romance. While certain elements have been updated, the spirit of our new Flash Gordon comic book is the same as the original comic strip, with valiant heroes squaring off against a coldhearted villain, framed by the breathtaking backdrop that is Mongo. Also, anyone who has read my mini-series Scatterbrain knows that I am a huge fan of cliffhanger endings in comic books. Flash Gordon is synonymous with cliffhangers, so you’ll be seeing a shocking ending at the end of every single issue. In other words, I don’t “write for the trade.” I endeavor to pack in as much story and action into each issue as humanly possible.

NRAMA: What sets your series apart from the new TV series on Sci Fi Channel? How are they different?

BD: I haven’t seen all the episodes of the Sci-Fi Network show but the main difference, I think, is that the TV show is restricted by what it can do because of budgetary reasons. One of the benefits of comic books is that there’s a limitless budget… whatever you can imagine, the artist can draw! Also, in the TV show, the characters go back and forth between Earth and Mongo. In our new comic book series, after the first issue, you won’t be seeing Earth again for awhile. The central theme of the original comic strip is the idea that Flash, Dale and Zarkov are trapped on an alien world and must do everything they can to survive among terrifying creatures and a war that rages around them. I’ve stayed true to this idea and Mongo itself is in many ways as central a character as any of its denizens.

NRAMA: Any other info that you'd like to add about the Flash Gordon series from Arrden? I hear that a veteran comic book creator has signed with Ardden and he would be involved in the day-to-day operations as well as editing Flash Gordon…

BD: Well… I’m incredibly happy to announce that we’ve just hired industry legend J.M. DeMatteis as Ardden’s Editor-in-Chief!

NRAMA: What brought J.M. DeMatteis to Ardden?

BD: I’ve known J.M. since my days at Dimension/Miramax Films. We’ve stayed in touch over the years and when I recently approached a number of top comic book writers, novelists and screenwriters about potentially writing for Ardden, he was very interested. He almost off-handedly mentioned that if we were open to the idea of having him do something more than just write a book, he might consider that as well. I talked it over with Rich and we both almost immediately came to the conclusion that having J.M. as our E-i-C would be a huge honor, and would further legitimatize us as a legitimate comic book company. We approached J.M. about it and I’m happy to say that he was interested in the position, as long as he could continue working on his own separate projects as well. We had no problem with that whatsoever… and here we are!

NRAMA: What's it like to be working with him?

BD: It is an honor and a privilege to be working with J.M. in any capacity, let alone as the E-i-C for Ardden. It’s only been a short while since we started working together and he’s already provided uncanny insight into the nuances of the comic book industry and the creative process. I’ve been a fan of his work for a long time and it’s always incredibly gratifying to meet and/or work with one of your heroes and find out that he’s just as cool as you’d hoped he would be.

NRAMA: What sort of vision is he bringing to the project?

BD: J.M. was one of the first people to read my outline for the first Flash Gordon arc and gave me some really great notes on the storyline. He understands character development incredibly well and knows how to approach a book with multiple plot strands and character arcs. He’s bringing decades-worth of comic industry knowledge and writing experience to the table, and I’m happy to sit back and soak it all in. Rich and I are thrilled to be working with J.M. on building our incredible slate of titles in the upcoming months and years. We’ve got some major writers for future Ardden books… big names not only from the comic world but also major novelists and screenwriters.

Finally, I just want to say that I think people are really going to enjoy the new series. Whether you’re an old-school Flash Gordon fan, a science-fiction aficionado, or just a lover of comic books, there is going to be something for everyone in the new series. Thanks again for your time, Ben. See you on Mongo!

Look for an interview with Ardden Entertainment Editor-in-Chief J.M. DeMatteis soon here at Newsarama.com

[fuzznugget]

If they announce Al Williamson on art, I am totally there!

[OM]

BD: Well… I’m incredibly happy to announce that we’ve just hired industry legend J.M. DeMatteis as Ardden’s Editor-in-Chief!

...Which means that the secret to the power behind Ming will be revealed to be JMD's The Dark which he tried to foist on DC several times in the 80's and 90's.

[Elf-Help]

I don't think there's been a decent version of Flash Gordon in my lifetime... here's hoping this reverses the trend!

[-Armando523-]

i hope it's better than the Scifi channel show

[Suthernboy]

-Armando523- i hope it's better than the Scifi channel show

Let's face it, it couldn't get much worse than that show. I am definitely looking forward to this book. I was also looking forward to the Sci-Fi Channel's show. Let's all pray that this project is as good as it sounds.

[greeneclipse]

If Flash is going to be a teacher, will his first name ever be given, I wonder? The Sci-Fi show IDed him as Steven Gordon, but an early tie-in novel gave his name as James Gordon (which I think would be a strict no-no at this point).

Ming the Merciful...OK, that cracks me up. Only Ming would be delusional enough to think of himself like that.

Dale as a CIA agent...OK, I'll bite. I'm more used to her being a journalist, but this doesn't seem to be a bad update.

Aura dead? Interesting. The circumstances behind that should be intriguing (however, if it turns out her death was faked to get here away from her father, that'll be fine, too).

The gang split up at the start? Oh boy. That should make things even worse for them. In the olden days, their being a tight-knit unit was their shield against being the fish out of water. If they're on their own for the time being...wow. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes.

Color me intrigued. Let's see where this takes us.

[TheToileteer]

I see Ming as a bit like Marshal Tito or Saddam Hussein. Sure, he's a ruthless strongman, but do you really want to remove him, and then watch all of the Mongonian (not "Mongon") moons fly off in all directions? Politically speaking, that is...

Speaking of which, I wonder what sort of politics Prof. Gordon teaches? His title mentions "theory"--is he some sort of Marxist (but those types are rarely attracted to the CIA), or more of a stats guy, or what?

I don't see why "Flash" couldn't be his actual name.

But the thing I'm really waiting to see is whether Ming will be depicted as a goateed Asian. I hope so--that's the classic look (the lizard guy from the cartoon was a cop-out), and it doesn't have to be racist if the character is fleshed out some. Anyway, think of all the Asian actors who would just love to play him.

[BDeneen]

Thanks to Matt and Ben for posting this interview and their support of both Ardden and our upcoming FLASH GORDON reboot. Some people have asked if this is tied into the TV show and I wanted to let you know that it has nothing to do with the Sci-Fi Network series...this is a completely different and new Flash Gordon and is inspired by the 1930s comic strip. I consider this writing assignment an honor and am going to do my best to satisfy new and old fans alike. Thanks again everyone!

Best,

Brendan Deneen

[greeneclipse]

Originally Posted by TheToileteer

I see Ming as a bit like Marshal Tito or Saddam Hussein. Sure, he's a ruthless strongman, but do you really want to remove him, and then watch all of the Mongonian (not "Mongon") moons fly off in all directions? Politically speaking, that is...

I think there's a story to tell about Mongo falling to pieces once Ming's taken out of power where Barin would be helpless to keep warring factiosn from trying to overtake what was once Ming's empire and Flash would be stuck with the burden of having to set everything right. It could even be presented as Ming's plan, to punish those who took him down by making sure they're under so much pressure that they just crumble.

Speaking of which, I wonder what sort of politics Prof. Gordon teaches? His title mentions "theory"--is he some sort of Marxist (but those types are rarely attracted to the CIA), or more of a stats guy, or what?

If they stay with the idea that Flash came from a well-to-do family (especially in the Crabbe movies), Flash could be well-versed in global politics and political history. And if he's aware of the gridlock and lack of progress in a lot of political systems, that could affect what he teaches. (It is kind of funny, though, as it's usually Flash's dad who's the professor in the mythos. The son becomes the father, the father the son, it seems.)

I will say that having Flash be politically savvy does add an edge to the mutual hatred between him and Ming. Ming may be ignorant of/blind to the evil he's perpetrating, but Flash will have been around the block enough to recognize him as a clear and present danger.

I don't see why "Flash" couldn't be his actual name.

Well, it does kind of smack of "athletic nickname." That, and he'd probably have been teased mercilessly as a kid if that really was his given name.

But the thing I'm really waiting to see is whether Ming will be depicted as a goateed Asian. I hope so--that's the classic look (the lizard guy from the cartoon was a cop-out), and it doesn't have to be racist if the character is fleshed out some. Anyway, think of all the Asian actors who would just love to play him.

John Lone in The Shadow (one of the few good things about that train wreck) was pretty close to what I'd like a live-action Ming to be. Someone very regal and cunning, but cold and impenetrable. Reasoning with him would be useless beyond all belief, and it would be easy to imagine that such a guy would gladly turn on his daughter and torture/kill her for daring to side with his enemies. But truth be told, I wouldn't have minded John Ralston's Ming on the Sci-Fi show if he'd at least worn a satanic goatee. Ming with hair is no big deal (just style it to resemble the old-school helmets), but clean-cut and clean-shavn? That's just wrong. Ming should look at least a little devilish.

One thing I will say...if Ming were ever cast with an Asian actor, you should do the same with Aura. I know it's a running gag in the series to have such a sexy hot mama be related to a freak who looks nothing like her at all (and man, was that the case with Ornella Muti and Max Von Sydow), but it would be nice to have Ming and Aura look at least a little plausible as father and daughter.

[Uncle Jawa]

Count me in. I have high hopes, especially now knowing that Marc DeMatteis is the Editor In Chief of this new publisher.

[david r]

Wow, this is great news! Congratulations to J.M. DeMatteis for becoming editor-in-chief of Ardden! I'm very excited about this news and will be watching for their books this year, to see what happens!

Fantastic news!!!

[eddie3429]

any word on when its out?

[MrToady12]

I can see myself picking at least the first issue if the art is at least servicable and not too cartoonish e.g. Ultimates 3. Flash has always been a favourite of mine (haven't seen the new TV series but that might be a good thing!).

Just think, first they brought back the Lone Ranger, soon Zorro will be on the stands as well as Flash Gordon... I think the time is right for...

Tarzan Lord of the Apes!

and

Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze!

Here's hoping,

Cheers

[ClayinCA]

Originally Posted by greeneclipse

Aura dead? Interesting. The circumstances behind that should be intriguing (however, if it turns out her death was faked to get here away from her father, that'll be fine, too).

I certainly hope that turns out to be the case - I always liked Aura (and the fact that she was usually portrayed as ridiculously hot never hurt anything, either). But if she really is dead, it's kind of a curious decision to make, limiting a lot of character dynamic at such an early stage.

Apart from that small detail, though, the rest of this sounds really good - if the art is good, I might be on board with this series!

[BDeneen]

Originally Posted by eddie3429

any word on when its out?

We're putting out a special edition for the New York Comic Con, and then the official first issue will hit stores in July or August.

[greeneclipse]

Originally Posted by ClayinCA

I certainly hope that turns out to be the case - I always liked Aura (and the fact that she was usually portrayed as ridiculously hot never hurt anything, either). But if she really is dead, it's kind of a curious decision to make, limiting a lot of character dynamic at such an early stage.

Well, on the Sci-Fi show, a lot of her canon character was given to the new character Baylin, so it's not unreasonable that a new character could be introduced to fill the void if she is indeed six feet under. Of course, I'm picturing a character who doesn't dress like a stock biker chick and doesn't have abysmal table manners....

[jasinmartin]

This sounds very encouraging, for what already sounded like a fairly promising potential comic adaptation...

Taking the proven source material, the best cues from the film, and crafting a forward thinking contemporary?
Sounds great!

I too am taken back by the Aura development, but yes, hopefully it's one of those surprises/twists/etc Brendan alluded too.

Here's looking forward to the next feature, on the ART

Can't wait!