Greetings, fellow Decepticons,

This Flash Gordon series offers a compelling prequel story of the great American hero.  Just how did Flash Gordon's nemesis, Ming, become "The Merciless"?  The answers also figure prominently into the history of the planet Mongo.  Before Ming's ascension Mongo was fractured into the warring kingdoms of Ardentia, Arboria, Aerie, Aquaria, and Frigia.  The emperor, Krang, wishes to pacify and unite the kingdoms.  It falls to his son, Ming, to discover the means to doing so.

Scott Beatty boldly writes the tale about how one of the great sci-fi villains of the early 20th century came to be.  Ming's story is also the story of Mongo and it's downfall from feudal smorgasbord to a cruel and oppressive empire.  The political ambitions and lust for power serve Ming well, but Beatty also does his story service by showing the plethora of people that Ming either kills or subdues cruelly to achieve his father's vision.

Artist Ron Adrian presents a commendable effort to portray the Flash Gordon universe before Ming's reign of terror.  A combination of orange, yellow, and red hues immerse the reader into the worlds of Mongo and its people.  Of particular note is the excellent work done with the portrayal of Aerie, the kingdom of the Hawkmen.  The rich textures of both the floating city and its people rival the portrayal of the Hawkmen's kingdom in the 1980 film.

The issue is a must-have for all the Flash Gordon fans out there.

Score: 8.5 of 10.