ARC Review: Flash Gordon Omnibus

Title: Flash Gordon Omnibus

Author: Jeff Parker

Illustration: Evan Shaner

Colour: Jordie Bellaire

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Expected Date of Publication: July 16th, 2015

Number of Pages: 133

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Flash Gordon never fit on Earth. But on the bizarre planet Mongo, Flash's thirst for thrills and daring dangers makes him the perfect weapon against the iron-fisted tyrant Ming the Merciless and his awful inter-planetary swarms of terror! Can the cocksure Man From Earth funnel his overconfidence into saving whole worlds? Will his less-rambunctious allies, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov, force a lasting peace with such savage races as the Beast-Men of Arboria and Hawkmen of Sky City? Or will the universe fall to Ming? The full-throttle, complete Flash Gordon saga is collected here, featuring epic space action from the wildly talented creative team of Jeff Parker (Batman '66, Aquaman) and Evan Shaner (Adventures of Superman). This out-of-sight Omnibus edition also includes bonus stories from faraway Mongo, as well as a comprehensive cover gallery! Collects the complete 8-issue Flash Gordon comic book series, plus the Flash Gordon 2014 Holiday Special and Flash Gordon 2014 Annual.

Review

When I was younger, I watched Flash Gordon. It was probably one of the first sci-fi movies I've ever watched. Later, I found out that it was a comic, but I never got to read it. So, when I found this Omnibus, I thought that the time has come to finally read the story of Flash Gordon. 

The story of the comic is rather ordinary. Earth is threatened by the Mongori. Flash, Dale and Dr. Zarkov, who have what Ming wants, run through some portals, closing the one that leads to Earth, to different planets in order to save the planet. But they find all the other planets enslaved by the tyrant Ming the Merciless, who has cut off all of their technology and takes advantage of them. Flash, who cannot stand all of this, tries to help them while Dr. Zarkov tries to find a way for them to return to Earth. I would say that this story is rather an old-school, but it works nicely. The comic is fast-paced and it's pumped with action. It's what you would expect when you pick up an edition like this one!

Flash Gordon doesn't have a superpower. He is spontaneous and most of the times he acts without really thinking beforehand. But he is athletic, an excellent pilot and an equally excellent fighter. With his passionate views, he can inspire the enslaved races to try to revolt against Ming. Dale Arden is the most rational one out of the three companions. She always tries to hold Flash back, before he puts them to danger. She is also more diplomatic, which helps them survive numerous times. Dr. Zarkov is the genius. He is the scientist that always finds the solution or has a card in his sleeve, which helps them survive.

The illustration and the general visual design is rather old-fashioned as well. But since it's the original comic book series, this is to be expected. I would actually be disappointed if it looked any different. The action scenes are very well illustrated and all the different planets feel unique. I found the design of Skyworld really impressive.

Flash Gordon Omnibus is a good, action-filled comic book. The nostalgia is also apparent, so I would recommend it to all the sci-fi fans, who want to read something that reminds them of older decades.

So, my advice is...