Flash Gordon #0: All Aboard

Space adventurer Flash Gordon returns to Earth to find that a new status quo has taken hold in his absence. His brand of heroing is relegated to the past. Flash Gordon #0 is largely a reset issue, ideal for new readers. A brief recap appears early in the issue, catching up new and old readers alike on events from the series’ previous issues. As this issue goes on, though, that backstory proves largely irrelevant.

Gordon is, in some ways, a stand-in for the audience here. He is behind the eight ball early in Flash Gordon #0 when he takes a job as an instructor–he isn’t up to date on the most current methods and technologies. As the students explain to Gordon how things work now, the reader is likewise informed. The new cast is introduced in this same way as they are the ones who provide the necessary information. Later, when Gordon leads the mission to Neptune, the reverse of this dynamic happens as Gordon educates his students on how to behave on real missions.

These various story beats also service Gordon’s character development. At the same time that he’s being celebrated for his past efforts (a Time magazine cover, no less), he is being rendered irrelevant. Later it’s revealed that contrary to everyone’s expectations, Gordon has a superior code in combat than anyone expects.

Abnett does a good job throughout Flash Gordon #0 of combining story advancement and character development. It’s a good use of the space within a one shot issue to pack in as much information as possible.

Esposito makes several choices with dialogue that also contribute to story and character. Whispered lines, especially ones that carry a measure of resignation, are emphasized by tiny text using both upper and lower case letters set in the middle of larger, “normal” size dialogue bubbles. Additionally, there are many times when dialogue bubbles overlap the edges of other dialogue bubbles, creating a quick back and forth sense with the dialogue, at times adding urgency to a scene.

The level of detail Garcia gives to Gordon’s face makes him a gruff character. Small lines and broader shading define the character’s cheekbones and jawline. Garcia frequently adds lines to the side of Flash’s eyes and above on his forehead, suggesting a slightly greater age, especially compared to his students. This Flash Gordon looks like he’s seen things.

Other characters, though–especially female ones–have much fewer lines on their faces, if any at all. De la Cruz adds a kind of shine to the coloring on some of these other characters as well. It is a further emphasis on the age difference between Flash and everyone else.

Garcia’s attention to detail isn’t limited just to characters (and especially Gordon). Settings and backgrounds never get lost, whether in wider action or closeups. Part of this is also helped along by De la Cruz’s coloring. Her choices are very responsive to implied light sources which create levels of depth to all of Garcia’s settings. They’re further amplified when characters are set against them.