Flash Gordon

Art by Plustina

GOLDEN

Race: Human

Skills: Piloting, mechanics, computer science, combat

Family: Gordons

Flash Gordon is a famed space explorer and an expert fighter-pilot from Earth. 

Early-Space Adventures

During their college years, superstar jock "Flash" and his girlfriend Dale were abducted by the seemingly mad mechanic Hans Zarkov, who claimed that the trio had to stop Emperor Ming the Merciless of planet Mongo from invading Earth. Upon arriving on Mongo, the couple discovered that Zarkov was correct, and helped to thwart Ming's scheme. Following a number of adventures on the alien world, they returned to Earth with Zarkov and equipped themselves with additional weaponry and technology, augmenting their skills.

Flash and Dale embarked on several space missions in the years to come, assisting those who resisted Ming's tyranny on Mongo and elsewhere. Amid their journeys, the pair married and had a son named Rick. The fanfic This Is Their Story introduced another Gordon child, Flash and Dale's daughter April, who appears in subsequent tales. Flash also has two sisters, Janet and Abigail, who were created for various fan-produced works. He is an uncle to Janet's daughter Tori and Abby's child Sara.

The Great Rebellion

Many years after they became parents, Flash and Dale participated in a massive battle on Mongo, intended to end Ming's reign. Among the others who battled the emperor were their ally Prince Barin, another friend named Tevrok, and Ming's youngest daughter, Princess Castra, whom Tevrok would marry.

In one account of this struggle, during a particularly dire skirmish, Dale informed Flash that April was not her eldest child, as she had given birth to a daughter named Veena. 

While the Great Rebellion did not end Ming's rule, the effort was credited with weakening the emperor's hold on power significantly.

Defenders of the Earth

Dale and a teenage Rick were eventually captured by Ming. Following an aerial clash with Ming's forces, Flash crash-landed in the manor of Mandrake the Magician. Though they were unable to rescue Dale, Flash and Rick teamed with their new allies to form a group known as the Defenders of the Earth, one of the teams dedicated to countering Ming and similar opponents.

In certain fan-created tales, Dale returns and reunites with her family members. In This Is Their Story, Flash begins a romantic relationship with Castra's sister Sheila, whom he later marries.

Skills

Flash is an expert fighter-pilot, likely one of the best in the entire galaxy, and a skilled ground soldier. He is also versed in computer science and general mechanics.

Legacy

Confident and courageous, Flash is known for legendary exploits that have fascinated writers of DoE fan fiction, some of whom have given him siblings and offered radical retellings of his history. Conversely, the story Defenders of the Earth 1938 presents a more traditional take on the character. 

Related: Gordon Family