Up until 2013, I did not realize that I had missed the King Features Syndicate characters in my media consumption. As a child of the 80s, I have fond memories of watching Defenders of the Earth, and had some of the action figures and, of course, had seen Flash Gordon on cable countless times. But it was Dynamite’s “Kings Watch” miniseries by Jeff Parker and Marc Laming that really got me excited about the properties again.
Since then, Parker did a magnificent run on “Flash Gordon” alongside Evan “Doc” Shaner, and has now turned the reigns of these characters over to new creative teams, setting up this King Comics event that has launched with last week’s “Flash Gordon” and “The Phantom” debut issues. We will be taking a look at each week’s new issues, as well as chatting with some of the creative teams involved, starting now: this is “All The King’s Men!”
King: Flash Gordon #1
Written by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker
Illustrated by Lee Ferguson
Of all of the minis, this is the one that was going to have the highest expectations put on it, both because of the character’s more famous pedigree and because of the astonishing series that Dynamite just wrapped up. However, it feels good to say that “King: Flash Gordon” didn’t lose much in the transition from the Parker/Shaner regime. Acker and Blacker nail the characters’ voices nearly perfectly from the outset, and the back and forth between Flash, Zarkov, and Dale feels as natural and lived in as can be.
Lee Fergusson is a journeyman of an artist, having worked for just about every major publisher, without having made too much of an impact on any one property. Here, he shines by intentionally trying not to be Doc Shaner. His Flash looks a little younger, his Zarkov a little nuttier, and overall, his work veers into territory that is more cartoony than what Shaner did. That aesthetic works very well on this space adventure, and he manages to make the book his own without divesting it from the ‘new standard’ look developed by Laming and Shaner over the past year and change.
Overall, the book is a fun one, that loses none of the spunk or the sense of frenetic energy that the prior series had. If you’re a huge Shaner mark like I am, I could see the art bringing you down a little bit, but that has everything to do with personal preference, and not with the actual quality of Ferguson’s work.
Final Verdict: 8.8 – A great beginning to this new mini
King: The Phantom #1
Written by Brian Clevinger
Illustrated by Brent Schoonover
Of all of the characters featured in “Kings Watch,” the Phantom is the one whose status quo changed the most. This series finds Lothar, a longtime associate of the Phantom, temporarily wearing the suit as he searches for the 23rd Phantom. The premise of the mini is a really fun one, as it allows some fun from both directions: it lets us speculate whether Lothar should be the next Phantom or not, and also stunt cast, in our heads, what the new Phantom will look like.
This issue sets up the mini nicely: Lothar is simultaneously trying to find the new Phantom and keep Bengalla safe. This dichotomy allows Cleviinger to play one hand against the other: we see how effective Lothar is in the purple suit, but we also know that he probably isn’t supposed to be in that role. Clevinger never puts doubt in the minds of either Lothar or Guran that there is another Phantom out there somewhere, stacking the deck in favor of Lothar only being a temporary Phantom, but that’s also exactly what I would do if I wanted to throw people off my scent.
Schoonover is a relatively new talent, and his work is a little inconsistent across the issue – his Guran, for example, looks like about five different people throughout the issue (and that is before he tries to fool others into thinking he is a different person). He nails the action sequences, however, and his Phantom, whether leaping through the air or standing around, cuts an imposing figure.
Continued belowOverall, the issue does a good job establishing this corner of the King universe for new readers, and updates old ones on the new situation, allowing just about everyone to get on board the title.
Final Verdict: 7.5 – With a little more artistic consistency, this could be a truly great issue.
King: Jungle Jim #1
Written by Paul Tobin
Illustrated by Sandy Jarrell
Of all the King characters, Jungle Jim is the least recognizable to the modern comics reader, and the first issue of this mini spends all but two pages building up the myth more than the man. The approach works in spades, with the book having a slightly spooky vibe, building to the final page’s misdirection perfectly. The book takes place on Arboria, a planet recently reintroduced in the pages of “Flash Gordon,” and takes a few of those minor characters and builds upon them here.
Tobin does a nice job of giving everyone a motivation that feels true, and still allows for some surprises. Kugor, a beast-man who acts as one of the tour guides for Lille, the woman seeking out Jungle Jim, manages to become a full formed character effortlessly. He is revealed to be a prankster, a homosexual, a bit clumsy, and a loyal friend all within just a few pages. Take note creators: this is how you do a first issue.
Jarrell’s art, of all the King books thus far, takes the most cues from Doc Shaner’s template set forth in “Flash Gordon,” but his clean line suits the book extraordinarily well. His faces are a delight to encounter, as each character has so much history and personality in each panel. Look at the eyes of just about each character – they are telling you all the story you need to know.
More than the other two books, “King: Jungle Jim” really feels like something new and exciting, and gives me hope for what is to come in the King line down the road.
Final Verdict: 9.1 – An extraordinary debut.
Overall, the first three issues have been overwhelmingly successful and enjoyable on almost every level. Dynamite, and line editor Nate Cosby, have gone to great lengths to ensure quality from this collection of characters, and the nearly 80 years of history these characters bring with them. This is truly one of the most exciting corners of the comics world right now, and we’ll be back next week with an in-depth look at the mysterious Jungle Jim.
