Is this latest mammoth entry really a worthwhile buy or should this release stay off your proverbial book shelf?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Titan Books:

Continuing the comprehensive library of the greatest science fiction hero of all time, this brand new collection of library editions feature all new restorations that will preserve these legendary adventures for generations to come. Starting with revered writer-artist Alex Raymond, this volume continues the adventures of pulp hero Flash Gordon on the planet Mongo and his ongoing battles with the deadly and heartless Ming the Merciless.

Following in the footsteps of the previous hardcover (read our review here) what we have is yet another prime example of how to expertly craft a comprehensive collection.  Holding this hefty book in your hands will easily excite lifelong fans as they peruse the roots of a genre that would eventually give birth to future megaton franchises, such as Star Wars.  Whether you’re new to the trials and tribulations of Flash Gordon and his friends it doesn’t really matter, because as soon as you peel back the cover and see the pages inside you’ll know instantly that you just purchased something truly special.

When you sit down, relax and begin your read you’ll come upon a nicely formed forward by comic writer, Doug Murray.  The four page journey is simply entitled “Flash Gordon Conquers The World,” and believe me it astounds with its wealth of information.  Whether you’re among the initiated or a recent convert, the intimate knowledge about the behind the scenes process and the success surrounding the rise of this property is very compelling.  I consider myself to be a pretty knowledgeable guy when it comes to the various aspects of these older franchises and I even found myself to be more than a bit surprised by several little nuggets that I ingested.  In short this really was a fitting way to begin this saga whether this is your first foray into the terrain of Mongo or not.

The story is as epic as it could be but let’s not kid ourselves here it’s a complete and utter product of its era, resulting in some very corny and wonky moments that don’t necessarily detract from the overall package but they don’t highlight it either.  If this came out today and I was judging based solely on modern standards I honestly wouldn’t know where to begin but thankfully this won’t be the way I, or anyone else, should examine it.  Instead what I will say is that yes, there is an overabundance of narration called forth from the script written by Don Moore, that ultimately bogs down the narrative in several action or even emotional moments.  But truth be told that doesn’t matter because when I read each line of dialogue I felt like I was looking in a proverbial time capsule as I allowed myself to be gleefully taken by something that was simply essential to the medium that I report and review for today.  This is a legacy, nothing more or nothing less.

I could spend a year discussing the artistic technique on display here as beautifully rendered and fully realized illustrations simply come to vibrant life thanks to the consistent skill and hard work from the man behind it all, Alex Raymond. Whether you’re dealing with the unique locales on the Planet Mongo or the brilliantly structured characters themselves you’ll quickly realize that you’ve more than got your money’s worth with these storied pages.  From ruthless Ming, to beautiful Dale and the heroic Flash all of these archetypes are birthed in a visceral rendition that may not necessarily offer kinetic motion but nonetheless succeed in accomplishing something infinitely more important.  Ultimately the pencil strokes, inked lines and brilliant colors yield exquisite forms with lavish details and an overwhelming sense of fearless design.

Flash Gordon: The Tyrant of Mongo Sundays 1937-1941 is a brilliantly realized release that does more than simply honor the legacy of a character that has endured in some form over the last century, but re-ignites this fantastical world it in a functional celebration.  This hardcover is handled so well that it should attract some curious onlookers based solely on its structure.  Highly recommended.

4.5/5