King Features celebrates Flash Gordon’s 90th anniversary

King Features Syndicate is joining partners around the world in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the iconic Flash Gordon throughout 2024.

Debuting on 7 January 1934, the American comic strip, created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond, introduced Flash Gordon as comic’s first-ever intergalactic hero and has since become a timeless symbol of space adventures and heroic exploits.

A new comic strip was launched in October 2023, with the daily comic available on ComicsKingdom.com and in newspapers nationwide.

King Features has also brought on Mad Cave Studios as Flash Gordon’s master publishing partner with plans to develop a full line of new narratives, comics reprints and graphic novels starring the iconic hero.

The initial Flash Gordon stories are slated to be released this year, starting with a debut for ‘Free Comic Book Day 2024’ (Saturday 4 May 4th). A special Flash Gordon #0 issue will be available for free to fans at participating retailers worldwide.

Fans around the world can join in on Flash Gordon’s anniversary celebration with a wide array of new and returning merchandising partnerships. These include American Classics, Brisco Apparel Company, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and Atlantis Toy and Hobby.

Through deals brokered by Bulldog Licensing, King Features’ licensing agent in the UK, Brand Alliance will launch Flash Gordon-themed apparel including beanies, caps, knitwear, loungewear, nightwear, socks, sweatshirts, tote bags and t-shirts for UK fans, while Rubie’s will continue to release Flash Gordon costumes and costume accessories in Benelux, Russia, South Africa and the UK.

R&B Licensing, meanwhile, brokered a partnership with Hybris Production AB for Flash Gordon apparel including assorted caps, sweatshirts, mugs, t-shirts and more, available in Sweden.

For collectors, Vertical Licensing negotiated a partnership with Ibiza Collectibles, while NECA has extended its deal for action figures based on the 1980 film worldwide.

In addition to the new daily comic and Mad Cave partnership, Flash Gordon also continues to flourish in publishing internationally.

Looking ahead to Flash Gordon’s next space adventure, a live-action feature film is currently in development at Disney, with filmmaker and actor, Taika Waititi, attached to write and direct the project.

“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,” commented Carla Silva, King Features’ vp/gm, global head of licensing. “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 saviour of the universe another 90 years.”

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