Mad Cave Studios and King Features Announce A New Era In Flash Gordon Comics

Flash Is Grounded

Mad Cave Studios, in partnership with King Features, announces FLASH GORDON #0, a special prelude issue marking the start of an all-new era for the iconic sci-fi hero…

Written by New York Times bestselling author Dan Abnett (Superman, Judge Dredd), with art by Manuel Garcia (The Avengers, Star Wars), colours by Ceci de la Cruz, and letters by Taylor Esposito, Flash Gordon #0 sets the stage for Abnett and Garcia’s upcoming run—officially launching the following month with Flash Gordon #16, a new arc positioned as a bold new #1 for readers. Issue #0 features a main cover by Joe Quinones (She Hulk) and a variant cover by Miguel Mercado (X-Men).

This oversized issue reveals what comes next: a grounded Flash Gordon, a world once again reaching for the stars, and a looming cosmic threat that refuses to stay distant.

A NEW ERA OF FLASH!

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!

“I’m revelling in this opportunity to create new stories for Flash Gordon,” said Dan Abnett. “He’s simply an iconic character, and one who has stayed with us through the years. This is a fresh start, but we’ll be acknowledging and honoring the great legacy of stories that have gone before. We’re taking the classic trio of Flash, Dale, and Zarkov on an epic new voyage (they are such great personalities to write), and adding some new supporting characters to push and test the interpersonal dynamics. There will be shocks! Twists! Surprises! New alien threats! A bold new status quo! And I’m lucky to be working with Manuel, who, let me just say, is producing the most amazing art. Every time pages come in, my jaw drops. I hope we do justice to the legend that is Flash Gordon… looking at the art, I think we’re going to!”

As a lover of classic comic strips and characters, illustrating Flash Gordon is a dream come true for artist Manuel Garcia: “When Mad Cave offered me Flash Gordon, I started playing the Queen movie song on a loop, so much so that my family threatened to throw me out of our house. Drawing a character so important to the history of comics is a privilege, something to tell my grandsons and granddaughters!”

Flash Gordon #0 arrives in comic shops on April 8, 2026, and serves as the official prelude to the new ongoing arc beginning with Flash Gordon #16, where the final order cutoff is 9 April.

Order today at your favourite comic shop or from Mad Cave directly.

Stay up to date with Mad Cave Studios—and its imprints Papercutz, Maverick, and Nakama Press on social media, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to explore new releases, licensed series, and creator-owned titles.

Mad Cave Studios, established in 2014, is an independent publisher committed to providing the very best in graphic storytelling. Mad Cave’s catalog includes a captivating blend of licensed, creator-owned, and original works, created by a diverse cast of storytellers focused on cultivating impactful character-driven narratives. Mad Cave Studios is the parent company to Maverick, Nakama Press, and Papercutz, enriching the literary landscape for readers of all ages.

About King Features: King Features is a premier producer and distributor of the world’s most iconic intellectual properties and a leader in classic character licensing and franchise development. With one of the longest-running consumer products programs in the industry, King Features’ portfolio includes world-renowned pop culture brands such as Popeye®, Cuphead, Flash Gordon™, The Phantom™, Hägar the Horrible, Moomin, Prince Valiant® and Mandrake the Magician. King Features produced the Emmy-nominated series The Cuphead Show! with Netflix Animation, which debuted in 2022. As content syndication specialists, the company distributes beloved comics such as Blondie, Beetle Bailey®, Mutts™, and dozens of others as well as columns, editorial cartoons, and puzzles across multiple platforms and content providers around the globe. King Features is part of Hearst Newspapers, which publishes 24 dailies and 52 weeklies, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, and Times Union (Albany, New York), and operates local digital marketing services and directories.

About Flash Gordon:
Few comic strips have captured readers’ imaginations like Flash Gordon. Originating in 1934 by legendary comic-strip artist Alex Raymond, Flash Gordon has set the standard for science-fiction adventure, even inspiring such modern-day classics as Star Wars. For more than seven decades, loyal fans have explored the stars with the comics\’ most famous intergalactic adventurer, his female companion, Dale Arden, and scientist, Dr. Hans Zarkov. In addition to the comic strip, Flash has also starred in a live-action serial, a radio show, novels, comic books, and animated cartoons, and he even appeared on his own U.S. postage stamp.