Flash Gordon Friday! Novel Covers

Here's a few covers from some of the long line of narrative Flash Gordon books that weren't comic strip focused. There were at least three periods in which novels were released. These are from the last series published by Tempo Books and written by David Hagberg.

I've not read these, but fellow space ranger Chris Mills posted over at Space1970 about picking a few and briefly mentioned that they follow more in line with the 1950s TV Flash, than Alex Raymond's interpretation.

I prefer my Flash caped with sword AND pistol, but these are pretty cool too!

Robinson Crusoe on Mars Art Print!

So the Criterion Collection has released Robinson Crusoe on Mars on Blu-Ray and DVD. If you're not familiar with Criterion Collection, they put out classic and rare films on DVD using the highest quality original prints available. I have several CC releases and each one is superb.

Anyway, every once in a while they do something special for releases, and they're offering a signed giclee print of the DVD cover by artist Bill Sienkiewicz. It ain't cheap, but if you use promo code "MONA50" they'll knock $50.00 off. Not bad!

I haven't seen the film itself yet. I've got it next on my Netflix queue. I'm hoping it will provide some inspiration for working on my X-plorers setting.

Oh, and it stars Adam West! BATMAN....IN...SPAAAAAACE!


Via Super Punch

Flash Gordon Friday!

Man, the month is nearly over and I've not been living up to my promises for Flash Gordon Month! That ends right now. Here are some choice images from Raymond's original strip. Click any to embiggen.

Here's Flash and co. strolling carefree through the dense forests on Arboria...
Looks like Ronal rolled a 1 on initiative.....
Sufficed to say, it doesn't end well for purple tree lizard. I'd show you how the creature was felled, but the next panel just shows one of Barin's merry men with a bow and arrow. Apparently seeing imaginary purple lizards getting skewered was too much for young eyes of the Golden Age. Sad!

I just love these panels illustrating starship construction on Planet Mongo...
I'm going to have to write some optional rules that uses GIANT CRANES to load spacecraft into GIANT TUBES for launch. Seriously, that's full of awesome.

Finally, everyone needs to give it up for Ming the Merciless, the O.D.M. (Original Dungeon Master)!
Ladies love a man who can pull off a gold-lapel bathrobe. Silk even!

More Flash posts.

Random Fun with the Junkulator!

Oh man, this thing is awesome! You'd think that a guy like me who loves random tables of junk would have heard about the JUNKULATOR from CriticalHits.com. IT'S FULL OF WIN!

It's been around a while, so I apologize for my geekgasmic gasps of joy if you're already familiar. If not--basically, it's a web script generator that will spit out random junk finds for a post-apocalyptic/Gamma World setting. You can set it for 1d4+1 pieces or just a single piece of junk. There's also options for item condition and PICTURES!!

Here's a few snapshots of stuff I "found". Click to embiggen:


Aw, man, the things you can do with an intact rototiller and a stained whirlpool!!

It's a riot, give the Junkulatator a whirl!

NASA Mission Logs Get a Facelift!

Here's a neat find while patrolling the spaceways this past week. If you're a NASA fan, space-head, or hell--just love history, you definitely need to check out spacelog.org for their re-formatting of original NASA space mission logs.

The logs are presented in a highly readable format mocked up to look almost like Facebook or Twitter tweets! The mission logs also include maps with checkpoints so you can see where in their journey the astronauts and mission control made their transmissions. Here's a screen grab of the infamous moment on Apollo 13:

Click to embiggen

Funny how movies can give you a slightly "off" impression of an event. Check out Jim Lovell's famous line--a minor tweak by the filmmakers, but still kinda interesting.

BONUS!
If you're working on a space adventure and need a reference for official space lingo, this glossary should be a big help!