Gorilla Daze

Flash Gordon #6, June 1967

Al Williamson had been the regular artist on this series of Alex Raymond’s space hero, although he only drew three of the first five issues. With his departure — to draw the Secret Agent X-9 newspaper strip — King handed the reins over to Reed Crandall. Probably most well-known for his long stint drawing Blackhawk for Quality (DC took it over later), Crandall’s photo-realistic style was also a regular feature at EC during the 1950s. For much of the 60s he found work on the educational Treasure Chest title, though he found time to contribute to more mainstream titles for the likes of Tower (THUNDER Agents) and Warren. And, obviously, King.

His Flash Gordon wasn’t Al Williamson’s, nor was it Alex Raymond’s, but it was highly effective, and he proved a worthy successor. Sadly, he never really got into his stride as the remainder of the run was blighted by reprints. Nonetheless, this cover provides a marvelous example of his style, and the interior work is every bit as good. This is well worth seeking out.

©2010 King Features Syndicate

Flash Gordon #5, May 1967

Sadly, this was the end of the line for Al Williamson on King Features’ Flash Gordon title. Shortly after this he became the full time artist on the Secret Agent x-9 daily newspaper strip, which took him away from comic books for over a decade. When he finally reappeared in the funny books, it was on the Empire Strikes Back adaptation for Marvel, and, naturally enough, an adaptation of the 1980 Flash Gordon movie. You know: that one with Sam Jones, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, and BRIAN BLESSED. “Gordon’s Alive!!”

Anyway, Secret Agent x-9 was itself inextricably connected to Flash, having also been created by Alex Raymond (with Dashiel Hammett). Several issues of this King Comics run featured Secret Agent x-9 back-up strips, the first of which was by Williamson with writer Archie Goodwin. It’s been suggested that it was that strip that got the pair the job on the daily strip — a position they held for more than twelve years.

These are great comics. And, though Williamson was gone, he was replaced by someone almost as good…

©2009 King Features Syndicate

Flash Gordon #4, March 1967

The third of Al Williamson’s covers for this mid-60s series by King Comics is again a mini-masterpiece — but I’m not sure the great man was capable of anything less. Flash and Dr Zarkov take on a mighty pterosaur while Dale — in time-honoured tradition — cowers at their feet. It’s all good, solid, old-fashioned excitement. And the good news here is that the interior art is again by Williamson all the way. Combine that with the scripts by the always entertaining Archie Goodwin and you have the recipe for one of the great comics on the 1960s.

All these comics have recently been reprinted in a fabulous new collection, alongside every other piece of Flash Gordon art that Williamson drew. Brilliant!

©2009 King Features Syndicate

Flash Gordon #3, January 1967

Another brilliant cover image from the pencil and pen of Al Williamson. On this occasion he doesn’t provide the interior illustration, but that task is carried off with some aplomb by Ric Estrada — still some years away from his defining work for DC in the mid-70s. The spotty outfit and mysterious, colonaded cityscape are classic elements of a Williamson scene, all present and correct here.

Flash Gordon #1, September 1966

I’m currently on holiday revisiting my roots in deepest, darkest Wales. In the meantime, enjoy this Al Williamson Flash Gordon cover — the first of the mid-1960s series published by King Comics. I don’t think there’s any real doubt that this is the very best of all the various series that have featured the eponymous hero over the years, and it captures brilliantly the fel of Alex Raymond’s original newspaper strip of the 30s and 40s. Written by Archie Goodwin and drawn by Al Williamson, these are superb comics by any measure. Williamson himself only drew issues 1,4 and 5, and contributed the cover of #3, but the remainder of the first 10 issues or so are well worth seeking out, and are still fairly cheap.

©2009 King Features Syndicate

Flash Gordon #2, November 1966

Gil Kane was a busy boy in 1966, spreading his net far and wide in the search for paying work. In addition to his regular gigs at DC on Green Lantern and the Atom, Kane also popped up at Marvel (Incredible Hulk), Tower (THUNDER Agents), Harvey (Tiger Boy), and, as seen here, King Comics (the comic book arm of the newspaper strip syndicate). He did a lovely job on Flash Gordon for this cover, though, sadly, that’s all he was to do on the character as far as I’m aware. The interior art in this issue is by Frank Bolle, and though he does a fine job, he’s rather overshadowed by the fact that the previous and following issues have spectacular work from the incomparable Al Williamson, who was at the top of his game.

Kane of course, would return many times to a similar sword ‘n’ sorcery mileu to that depicted here. Just a few years after this Kane tried his hand at a proto-graphic novel, with his own Blackmark creation. And later he would have several stints on Conan. The 1980′s ‘re-imagining’ of the Atom as a sword-wielding warrior was possibly Kane’s purest expression of the form — and comes highly recommended.

©2009 King Features Syndicate