By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Flash Gordon just turned 90-years-young, but the cartoon and film character is hotter than ever in the licensing world, with a new film coming out from director Taika Waititi.
The New Zealand-born director first rose to fame through the hilarious series vampire comedy ‘What We Do In The Shadows, and is now best known for his work on Marvel’s Thor franchise and the critically acclaimed ‘JoJo Rabbit’.
Waititi, who credits Flash Gordon as a huge influence on his work, was tapped by Disney to produce what was expected to be an animated Flash Gordon film, but the director decided in 2021 to produce a live action movie. While promoting Disney’s latest film Jungle Cruise, producer John Davis shared that Waititi has changed his approach to his sci-fi adaptation of the influential comic strip.
“[The 1980 Flash Gordon] is one of [Waititi’s] favorite movies,” Davis told the entertainment publication Collider. “He initially said to me, ‘Let’s do it animated.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ Then we got into it and started developing it and he said, ‘No, let’s do it live-action.’ I said, ‘Even better’.”
While fans wait for the new film, brand owner King Features Syndicate is now being joined by partners around the world in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the iconic Flash Gordon character throughout 2024.
The character debuted Jan. 7, 1934 in an American comic strip, created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond, which introduced Flash Gordon as comic’s first-ever intergalactic space hero.
In what must be the most exciting news for fans, there is now fresh Flash Gordon content in the form of an all-new comic strip, written and drawn by Eisner and Ringo Award-nominated cartoonist, Dan Schkade (Will Eisner’s The Spirit Returns, Lavender Jack).
Launched in October 2023, 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. The collaborators have plans to develop a full line of new narratives, comics reprints and graphic novels starring the hero.
The initial Flash Gordon stories are slated to be released this year, starting with what King Features promises will be an explosive debut for “Free Comic Book Day 2024” on Saturday, May 4.
A special Flash Gordon #0 issue will be available for free to fans at participating retailers worldwide, and will see characters Flash Gordon, Dale, and Doctor Zarkov try to stop the villainous Ming the Merciless from using the Unraveller, a device that can unwind an object to their subatomic structure in one apocalyptic burst of energy.
“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,” said King Features VP/GM, Global Head of Licensing Carla Silva. “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!”
Of course, any good Flash Gordon fan can tell you the hero wasn’t just featured in comic strips. In 1980, the brand established another cultural milestone with the release of the cult classic theatrical film, Flash Gordon, produced by Dino De Laurentiis and starring Sam Jones. The film combined elements of science fiction and fantasy, with a soundtrack by Queen and groundbreaking costume designs. The film attracted a wide fan base and further solidified Flash Gordon’s legacy in pop culture.
On the licensing side, King Features is launching a wide array of new and returning merchandising partnerships.
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American Classics, Inc. has renewed their latest apparel agreement for Flash Gordon t-shirts and onesies to be sold in the U.S and Canada, while Brisco Apparel Company, Inc. is adding the classic character to its current deal for a variety of t-shirts, hoodies, and activewear. Also in the North American market, 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 United Kingdom. Through deals brokered by Bulldog Licensing, King Features’ licensing agent in the UK, Brand Alliance Limited is set to 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 AB 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 to create Flash Gordon statues, sold in the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. King Features’ longtime partner National Entertainment Collectibles Association, Inc. (NECA) has extended its partnership to continue releasing Flash Gordon action figures based on the 1980 film worldwide.
In addition to the new daily comic and Mad Cave partnership, Flash Gordon continues to flourish in publishing internationally. 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., Ltd. is releasing Flash Gordon books in Japan, while Bulldog Licensing represented Titan Books in a deal that would publish Flash Gordon coffee table books worldwide.
King Features is likely looking for still more licensing partners for the character for both the anniversary and in the leadup to the film. Subscribers to The Licensing Letter’s Sourcebook service can find the direct contacts for King Features’ licensing program at THIS LINK.