I loved this issue. It has some really nice nods to the wonderfully campy '80's Flash Gordon movie, yet is true to the time it is set in. Not much reinvented here, until maybe the end. That should be fun to watch play out. Plus it totally makes sense given when this is set in time.
The art is strong and clear.
I will be hunting this comic down and picking this series up.
[ February 02, 2012, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: Reboot ]
Posted by Dev - Em on :
Grabbed this awesome throwback cover for the first issue.
Set firmly in the era of WWII. Flash is a Polo player this time around. I think I've seen just about every major sport represented at some point with his origin.
I'm really interested to see where the Earth storyline goes.
Anyone read this?
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
I've been reading it and enjoying it quite a bit! I posted a quasi-review somewhere around here in Gym'lls.
#1 was a pretty good start, but it was #2 that kind of took things into high gear and convinced me this was a series I wanted to continue reading. So far its a tightly written action story that is presenting all the major characters (Flash, Ming, etc.) firmly while also giving plenty of background characters that will obviously grow important over time.
I'm loving the multi-layered plot & settings: the main story on Ming's planet with Flash & company, but also the storyline in 1930's Earth, featuring Adolph Hitler & Nazi Germany, and also reprentatives of the Lion Men, etc. It's taking all the various pulpy and fun elements of Flash Gordon from the decades and giving them an appropriately serious yet fun tone.
And those Francavilla covers!!!
Posted by Dev - Em on :
Merciless: The Rise of Ming #1 is coming from Dynamite. I am actually looking forward to this. I cannot remember this story ever being told...not saying it has not been...just that I have not seen it.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Just downloaded and read the first two issues! This is fantastic!
Posted by Lard Lad on :
I will definitely be looking out for the eventual trade. Can't afford to buy all the awesome Dynamite series as floppies, but the trades are irresistable!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Anyone else still reading along? I'm on the fence about continuing, I have to admit. With an over-crowded pull list as more and more excellent comics demand my purchase, I'm being very careful to not buy anything I'm not loving.
And while I like Flash Gordon so far, I'm not absolutely loving it. It's hard to say why, but I think it just comes down to the delivery. The pacing is pretty frenetic and the ideas are enjoyably big, but by #3 I feel no real connection at all to any single character. I'd give the series a solid B-.
There is a ton happening and some of these subplots may pay off dividends shortly. But at this point, I'm not invested enough to remember what exactly is going on with each character.
It could be a matter of this title being a better read in trades. I'll definitely be curious as to what others think, and if there are enough positive reviews, I'll hunt down the rest of the first arc.
Posted by Dev - Em on :
I missed issue two, which is gone from my shops...so I have not picked up any other issues. I really wanted to, but ability to find it when I do have money is playing a huge role.
