Advance Review: Flash Gordon #0
From Mad Cave Studios
A new beginning from Mad Cave Studios with Flash Gordon #0 kicking off new adventures.
A NEW ERA OF FLASH!
Bestselling writer Dan Abnett and veteran artist Manuel Garcia blast off into new worlds! Flash Gordon has always been a maverick, on the football field and in the stars. But when he’s offered a job training the next generation of explorers, he’ll end up fighting for top gun!
A “quick trip” around Neptune’s moons with Flash’s cadets turns into a deadly alien hunt and one of the new recruits thinks they can save the day without the dusty instructor.
Introducing a new supporting cast enemies and allies alike and setting the stage for a swashbuckling new story, Flash Gordon #0 is a can’t-miss!
Author: Dan Abnett
Artists: Manuel Garcia, and Joe Quinones
For a brand-new creative team stepping onto a title with as much history as Flash Gordon, kicking things off with an issue #0 feels like exactly the right call—and this one really understands that assignment. Rather than rushing headlong into a sprawling new arc, it takes a moment to lay the groundwork, giving us a clear sense of who these characters are now, where they stand, and how their relationships have shifted in this updated status quo. It’s less about spectacle and more about orientation, which works in its favour.
We pick up with Flash back on Earth, but not in the way longtime fans might expect. He’s grounded—both literally and figuratively. The days of him being the galaxy-hopping adventurer seem to be behind him, at least for now. Instead, he’s been repositioned as a teacher, tasked with guiding the next generation in this more structured, spacefaring era. It’s a smart evolution of the character, but you can feel how uncomfortable he is in that role. Flash isn’t someone who thrives behind a desk or within a rigid system, and there’s a clear sense that he feels out of place—like a relic struggling to keep up with a world that’s moved on technologically and philosophically. The classroom just doesn’t suit him, and the comic leans into that tension nicely.
Naturally, the solution to that is to get him out of the classroom—and that’s where the field trip comes in. This is where the issue really comes alive. It serves a dual purpose: not only does it get Flash back into space (where he belongs), but it also lets him demonstrate, in a hands-on way, what makes him Flash Gordon. It’s not just about piloting a ship or handling advanced tech—it’s about instinct, bravery, and knowing how to react when faced with the unknown. These are things you can’t really teach from a textbook, and the story does a good job of showing that contrast.
At the same time, the field trip introduces us to the students who will likely form the backbone of this new era. We get glimpses of their individual personalities, skill sets, and how they respond under pressure. It’s not overly heavy-handed, but there’s enough there to suggest that each of them will have a role to play moving forward. You can already start to see the dynamics forming, which is promising for future issues.
Outside of Flash, the supporting cast is also repositioned in interesting ways. Dale, in particular, has stepped into a more managerial role, and she seems far more comfortable adapting to this new structure than Flash is. There’s a sense of confidence and acceptance in her that contrasts nicely with Flash’s reluctance. Meanwhile, Zarkov’s absence is felt—he’s mentioned, but not present, with hints of disagreements or unresolved issues keeping him off the board for now. That’s an intriguing thread to leave hanging, and it adds a bit of mystery to the setup.
As a #0 issue, this comic also does what it needs to in terms of teasing what’s ahead. It doesn’t overcommit to a single direction, instead planting several seeds that could grow into future storylines. That flexibility gives readers time to settle into this new version of the world while still building anticipation for what’s coming next. The inclusion of a short, contained adventure helps keep things engaging, ensuring there’s still some action to balance out the setup.
Overall, it works exactly as it should: a strong prologue that introduces a fresh take on familiar characters while respecting their roots. It sets the tone, establishes the stakes, and leaves you curious about where this new journey will go—an excellent starting point for what looks like a promising run.
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