31 December 2022

Savage News: Shane Hensley's End of Year Address

Shane Hensley's End of Year Address is essential reading for any Savage Worlds fan, but the most pertinent bit of news for readers of this blog (if there are any) is the announcement of the upcoming SWADE edition of the Science Fiction Companion. Stay tuned for details.

24 December 2022

Mike Hodges 1932-2022

Mike Hodges, the director of Flash Gordon (1980), died on 17 December 2022. His contribution represents one of the highest achievements in Flash Gordon's history. May he rest in peace.

05 December 2022

Gordon's Alive!

Artwork for the Flash Gordon movie of 1980.

Today marks the 42nd anniversary of Flash Gordon, the 1980 film with the soundtrack composed and performed by Queen. I'll be watching it tonight.

01 December 2022

Flash Gordon Inspiration: Action Figures 1978

Catalogue page from 1978 depicting Flash Gordon action figures and playset manufactured by Mego.

In 1978, Mego released a set of four 10-inch action figures and a playset based on the Flash Gordon comic strips. The action figures included Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, Dr. Zarkov, and Ming the Merciless. I was unaware of them until this moment (the date being 28 November 2022 as I write this), so I am including this link to a short video on the subject produced by Mego Museum. More images are available here.

Table: City Encounters (Build Your Own Space Opera Table)

In a space opera, there are least 12 possible persons (sample names included) the protagonists may encounter as they explore the cities of ...