Flash Gordon comic books issue 2

Volume 2 - 1st printing.

Written by Mac Raboy and Don Moore. Art by Mac Raboy.

Continuing Dark Horse Comics' tradition of finer reprint books, this is the second volume in our archival collection of Mac Raboy's lengthy Flash Gordon run. This series marks the first time that Raboy's Flash Gordon strips have ever been collected. Beginning his comics career in 1940, Emanuel "Mac" Raboy is perhaps best known for his work on Captain Marvel, Jr. and the Green Lama in the 1940s. He graduated from a government-funded art class, was heavily influenced by Alex Raymond's style, and, in the Spring of 1948, he signed on with King Features to illustrate the "Flash Gordon" Sunday page. Following in the footsteps of his idol, Mac Raboy's run on this serial was actually longer than Raymond's. Raboy drew the strip until his death in December of 1967, and several of his early wood engravings (from his fine art days) remain in the permanent collection of New York's Metropolitan Museum.

Softcover (Horizontal Format), 12-in. x 9-in., 256 pages, B&W. Cover price $19.95.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. By James Van Hise. Pioneer presents a series of books on the great superhero serials by James Van Hise, a writer who focuses on pulp, comics and sci-fi history. More about the famous and influential Flash Gordon serials, starring former Olympic athlete Buster Crabbe as Flash. The series was so popular, the phrase "Flash Gordon" became a general term to describe science fiction - or anything outlandish - until well into the 1970s. The three serials,  Flash Gordon (1936), Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars (1938), and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940) were re-edited into feature films for re-release and television. Screen credits are included for the completist.  Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 96 pages, Text (with B&W Photos). Cover price $16.95.