Flash Gordon comic books are published by Zauberstern Comics in Germany commencing in 2022 and continues to be published bi-monthly. The series is the first time in approximately 40 years that new Flash Gordon comics were published in Germany, aside from reprints of the Sunday pages. The first issue included a newer story from 1995 and the first two parts of the Flash Gordon series from 1966.
Zauberstern Comics is a German publisher that made its debut in the comic book scene in 2020. While they publish a range of comics, they are particularly notable for their extensive focus on the Phantom, having launched their first Phantom title in 2022. They have since expanded their Phantom offerings with a second series called ‘Phantom Spezial’ which began in 2025, demonstrating a strong commitment to this classic King Features Syndicate character. Their publications are generally known for their full-color presentation and high-quality paper.
The publisher has consistently released their Phantom comics on a bi-monthly basis, often featuring a mix of modern and classic newspaper strip stories, as well as reprints from other international publishers like Frew Publications, DC Comics, and Charlton Comics. Zauberstern also sometimes includes unique elements such as posters within their issues. They make their comics available both through their own website and in retail stores across Germany, aiming for broad accessibility for their readership.
Beyond the Phantom, Zauberstern Comics has diversified its catalogue to include other popular characters and series. They have published titles featuring Flash Gordon, often reprinting material from Defenders of the Earth comics, and have also delved into other genres with series like Savage Dragon, Van Helsing, and Mikros. This broad approach indicates their ambition to cater to a wider audience while maintaining a strong foundation in classic comic characters.
Flash Gordon comic books are published in color containing approximately 100 gloss pages measuring 29.5cm x 21cm and are published with German text. They contain between 2 to 4 comic strip stories per edition.
The Phantom has been featured in the series owing to his crossover association with Flash Gordon, as presented in the Defenders of the Earth cartoon and comic book series.
Flash Gordon edition number 6 published in May 2024 contains 100 full color pages. This edition reprinted the Defenders of the Earth comic strip stories originally published by Marvel Comics under their Star Comics brand in the USA in 1987, with the main characters being Flash Gordon, the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician and Lothar who battle Ming the Merciless in a futuristic world.
This original comic book series was written by Stan Lee, Bob Harras and Michael Higgins and illustrated by Alex Saviuk and Fred Fredericks. Text was translated from English to German by Thomas Tom Rippert. The cover art was originally published on the cover of comic book edition number 1, illustrated by Alex Saviuk and Fred Fredericks. The front cover of Flash Gordon edition number 6 can be seen below.
Flash Gordon edition number 15 was released on the 25th of November 2025. It contains reprints of parts of the Kings Watch storyline which was previously published by Dynamite Entertainment in the US in 2013. The all original art and comic strip story is a crossover event where the three heroes, the Phantom, Flash Gordon and Mandrake the Magician, team up to face an alien menace and the Cult of the Cobra.
The first two parts of the Kings Watch story published by Zauberstern Comics is written by Jeff Parker and illustrated by Marc Laming. The cover art was originally published by Dynamite Entertainment on the cover of Kings Watch comic book edition number 1, illustrated by Marc Laming and Chris Sotomayor. The front cover of Flash Gordon edition number 15 can be seen below.
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