Flash Gordon

The comic strip follows the adventures of Flash Gordon, a handsome polo player and Yale University graduate, and his companions Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov. The story begins with Earth bombarded by fiery meteors. Dr. Zarkov invents a rocket ship to locate their place of origin in outer space. Half mad, he kidnaps Flash and Dale.

Dale Arden

Dale is well able to take care of herself and is an ideal companion for the adventuring Flash. Dale is sensitive, warm and compassionate traits which occasionally lead her to trust the wrong person. Where Flash would gladly lay down his life to save her, Dale would do likewise.

Ming the Merciless

When the heroic Flash Gordon and his friends land on the planet Mongo, they find it ruled by the evil Emperor Ming, a despot who quickly becomes their enemy. He is not named at first, only being known as the Emperor until several issues later. The capital of his empire is named "Mingo City" in his honour.