Flash Gordon #3 - Mobile Edition

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Flash Gordon #3
By Hervé St-Louis
July 7, 2014 - 12:48

Dynamite Entertainment
Writer(s): Jeff Parker
Penciller(s): Evan Shaner
Colourist(s): Jordie Bellaire
Letterer(s): Simon Bowland
Cover Artist(s): Maarc Laming, Roberto Castro, Ken Haeser
$3.99

Ming has Flash Gordon captured and put in an arena with men transformed into animals. Ming hopes that he’ll finally be able to get rid of Flash Gordon without making the Earthling a martyr. Still, Flash Gordon’s earlier acts of bravery earn him new allies in his fight against the men animals. Will Flash defeat all his animal men opponents and rise up against Ming, again?

This series is entertaining but this issue, we saw less of Flash Gordon’s cocky attitude and bubble head brain schemes. We also saw less of Dale Arden’s leadership and Doctor Zarkov’s brains. Instead, readers saw other characters taken from older Flash Gordon mythos like the Lion man Thun. In this version of the Flash Gordon mythology, Ming transforms the subjects of Arboria into men animals. The story intrigues, but action-packed issues such as this one limit rich characterizations.

Evan Shaner continues to be a remarkable artist in the tradition of Chris Samnee, Alex Toth and even Frank Frazetta. He renders his characters with a retro look fit for the 1960s but that is delicious for the eyes in 2014. A dedicated inker would create the textured light and dark compositions that would enhance his work.

Rating: 8.5/10