Flash Gordon #1

Flash Gordon #1 (1953, World Distributors) kicks off with "The Zarkov Line," a high-stakes mission where Ming's raiders assault a defense network in the asteroid belt to smuggle a ship through and abduct Dr. Zarkov and Dale Arden. Written by Paul S. Newman and illustrated by Frank Thorne, the story follows Flash as he races to Mongo to save them—only to be captured himself. With a twist from Ming’s daughter Zara, the captives devise a daring plan to return to Earth, where deception may be the only weapon left. Cover by Frank Thorne.