The Flash Gordon story retold

Comics International editor Mike Conroy is one of many contributors to a Flash Gordon documentary being screened on the the UK Sci-Fi Channel tonight (Monday 25 February) at 8.00pm.

Scheduled to air ahead of the series pilot, the programme provides insight from a variety of comedians (Colin Hoult, Emma Kennedy), actors (Brian Blessed, Paul Duncan and Paul Darrow), journalists (Kim Newman, Karen Krizanovich) and comic book aficionados (Paul Gambaccini and Mike), who all talk about the evolution of Flash through the ages.

Further screenings of the documentary are planned.

Since his first appearance in the 1930s and right up until the present day, Flash Gordon has enraptured successive generations of fans through numerous adaptations including films, radio, television and animated series. This hour-long documentary covers Flash Gordon's history in comics and on screen and is a promo for the new TV series which airs from Monday 3 March in the UK - but you can view the first episode online via the scifiuk web site.

Eric Johnson (Smallville) stars as Flash, alongside Gina Holden (Final Destination 3) as Dale Arden in a rip-roaring adventure across Earth and Mongo alike.

Flash Gordon first sprung into life courtesy of award-winning comic strip artist Alex Raymond in 1934 and was created as a response to the Buck Rogers strip - with Flash as a professional polo player of all things. The strip ran until 2003 but continues to be reprinted.