Flash Gordon Celebrates 90th Anniversary

King Features Syndicate, a unit of Hearst, is joined by partners around the world in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the iconic Flash Gordon throughout this year. Debuted Jan. 7, 1934, the American comic strip, created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond, introduced Flash Gordon as comic’s first intergalactic hero and has since become a timeless symbol of space adventures and heroic exploits. 

Fans looking for fresh Flash Gordon content need look no further than the new comic strip, launched in October. The daily comic is available on ComicsKingdom.com and in newspapers nationwide, bringing readers new Flash Gordon adventures every day for the first time in two decades. 

Announced in the summer, King Features has also brought on Mad Cave Studios as Flash Gordon’s master publishing partner with plans to develop a line of new narratives, comics reprints and graphic novels starring the space hero. The initial Flash Gordon stories are slated to be released this year, starting with a debut for “Free Comic Book Day 2024” (May 4). A special Flash Gordon #0 issue will be available for free to fans at participating retailers worldwide. 

“As the first intergalactic hero, Flash Gordon’s comic adventures heavily influenced the modern genre of science-fiction from movies to television to consumer products and more,” says Carla Silva, vice president/general manager, global head, licensing, King Features. “It’s our goal to continue meeting fans’ demands for quality Flash Gordon content and product so they can keep celebrating their love for the savior of the universe another 90 years.” 

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Fans around the world can join in on Flash Gordon’s anniversary celebration with a wide array of new and returning merchandising partnerships. In North America, Flash Gordon’s legacy continues with several new deals and renewals. American Classics renewed their latest apparel agreement for Flash Gordon T-shirts and onesies to be sold in the U.S and Canada. Brisco Apparel Company is adding the character to its current deal for a variety of tees, hoodies and activewear. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art inked a new deal to utilize Flash Gordon strips in educational presentations worldwide. 

Internationally, Flash Gordon is experiencing rapid growth across publishing, entertainment, toys, apparel and more. Atlantis Toy and Hobby is creating Flash Gordon-themed model kits for fans across Japan and the U.K. Through deals brokered by Bulldog Licensing, King Features’ licensing agent in the U.K., Brand Alliance Limited is set to launch Flash Gordon-themed apparel, including beanies, caps, knitwear, loungewear, nightwear, socks, sweatshirts, tote bags and tees, while Rubie’s will continue to release Flash Gordon costumes and costume accessories in Benelux, Russia, South Africa and the U.K. R&B Licensing AB brokered a partnership with Hybris Production AB for Flash Gordon apparel, including assorted caps, sweatshirts, mugs, tees and more, available in Sweden. 

For collectors, Vertical Licensing negotiated a partnership with Ibiza Collectibles to create Flash Gordon statues, sold in the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. King Features’ long-time partner, National Entertainment Collectibles Association, has extended its partnership to continue releasing Flash Gordon action figures based on the 1980 film worldwide. 

King Features’ licensing agent in Spain and Portugal, Caravanserai Partners SL, brokered deals with Plan B Publicaciones, S.L. and Editorial Salvat to bring Flash Gordon comics and graphic novels to Spain, and with Hachette Fascicoli for reprints in Belgium, France and French-speaking provinces in Canada. RCS Mediagroup, S.p.A and R & B Company-Zauberstern Records recently released Flash Gordon comic albums in Italy and Austria, Germany and Switzerland, respectively. Brokered by Copyrights Asia, Takeshobo Co. is releasing Flash Gordon books in Japan. Bulldog Licensing represented Titan Books in a deal that would publish Flash Gordon coffee table books worldwide. 

Looking ahead to Flash Gordon’s next space adventure, a live-action feature film is currently in development at Disney.