Though I’ve yet to review it, I’ve hugely enjoyed the current run of Flash Gordon comics, from Mad Cave Studios. It modernises several elements of the classic stories and has an incredibly fast-paced, multiversal feel. Though it still feels appropriately pulp in its tone, it also feels contemporary in terms of its storytelling and art. It’s a lovely, retro futuristic throwback which gets surprisingly complex in its mirror universe-style saga, and it’s superbly illustrated too.

So I was excited to discover the spin-off series, Flash Gordon Quarterly, which delivers a bumper page count and several stories per issue. The lead story in the first issue stars Hawkman King Vultan; it’s a dramatic, action-packed adventure in which he learns to properly trust, and bond with, his son.

The two backup stories take an Elsworlds-esque approach to the Flash Gordon mythos; first imagining Flash and co in the Wild West, before taking us on an investigation with a hard-boiled version of Gordon as a PI.

The first story, set as it is in the current, aforementioned continuity, is excellent stuff, and really helps to flash out the character of King Vultan, who does appear in the main series but doesn’t get the opportunity for much screen time.

The two out-of-continuity backup stories are great, inventive fun too; they’re fantastic exercises in world building and exposition as well as storytelling, given that they’re only brief looks into other worlds. They do still feel like complete stories, even if they are open-ended to allow us to revisit these intriguing twists on Flash Gordon’s adventures.

The production values are excellent throughout; beautiful artwork, gorgeous colouring and superb writing from all concerned.

Even better is that there’s no need to read the main Flash Gordon series at all to enjoy what’s here; even if your only familiarity with Flash Gordon is with the Queen-soundtracked 1980 movie, you’ll have enough knowledge to have fun with these stories.

Of course, just because you don’t have to read the main Flash Gordon series from Mad Cave, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. It’s an excellent comic, and if you enjoy Flash Gordon Quarterly, wait until you get your hands on the main series. You’ll be hooked!

Hi! I’m Jason, and I write for midlifegamergeek.com, every single day. If you’re interested in supporting original, regularly published, human created content (which has never been plagiarised or otherwise copied from the hard work of other writers), you can donate and help me to keep this site running.

Not only do I earn no income from my writing here (though I may earn small fees from affiliate links posted on my pages; as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from these links), but it seems that my work has, at times, been stolen and re-used by lazy, morally bankrupt idiots.

There’s no pressure of course, but I’d be truly grateful for any support that you could offer – and it’s easy to do so at either of these links: Ko-Fi.com/geekmid or PayPal.

Any donations are truly appreciated – and I also appreciate you taking the time to read my articles. Remember: this whole article was by Jason Brown, and appeared on midlifegamergeek.com. Take that, Skynet!