Hans Zarkov
Hans Zarkov is a male comic character who features in Flash Gordon.
Contents |
Biography
Hans Zarkov
From his observatory, he came to detect the presence of the planet Mongo that was on a collision course with Earth. To prevent this event, he built a rocket ship so that he could journey to the alien world and save the Earth.
The rocket crashes on the surface, and Zarkov is presumed dead. Flash rescues Dale from the crash and doesn't give another thought to Zarkov, until he shows up three months later, on April 24.
When the Sky City of the Hawk Men is about to topple from the sky, Zarkov invents an atomic Light solidifier, which stabilizes the city. A grateful King Vultan gives Zarkov a royal title: "Prince Zarkov of the Hawkmen, and Supreme Lord of All Scientists."
Overview
Personality and attributes
Powers and abilities
He came to own a great observatory where he contained a variety of scientific equipment.
Notes
- Hans Zarkov was created by Alex Raymond where he made his first appearance in Flash Gordon comic strip (January 7, 1934).
In other media
Television
- In Flash Gordon, Hans Zarkov appeared in the setting of the 2007 live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Jody Racicot. This version knew Lawrence Gordon when he was a graduate student where the two worked together on the Portage Initiative that looked into developing technology that explored rifts between worlds.
Films
- In Flash Gordon, Dr. Hans Zarkov appeared in the setting of the 1980 live-action film where he was portrayed by actor Chaim Topol. He was an Earth scientist, formerly employed with NASA, who suspected that the environmental problems associated with the planet are a direct attack from outer space. He was first seen sleeping across from his lab assistant, Munson, who is awakened by his burning blanket caused by 'hot hail.' Munson checks his watch and moves to wake Zarkov. Upon learning that it is 8:24 in the morning and there is no sunlight, Zarkov awakens immediately and orders Munson to check the angular vector of the moon. As he and Munson work on their instruments, a news report plays in the back ground explaining that Zarkov is the only one with an explanation for the problems, but that he has been dismissed as irrational. He asks Munson what his findings are and when the moon is out of orbit by more than 12 degrees, Zarkov confirms that he is correct and that they are under attack. Hot hail breaks through the glass roof and falls near him. He examines it and says that it is fragments of moon rock. The Moon is being subjected to an energy beam. He then tells Munson it is time to go and moves toward his rocket ship, planning to counter-attack. Munson says Zarkov is crazy and that he is not joining him into space. Zarkov pulls a gun on him and tells him to get his toothbrush and whatever else he needs, because he cannot handle the rocket controls alone. Munson turns and flees, but rather than shoot, Zarkov asks him why he is running away. Munson refuses to be a hero and Zarkov lets him go. Moments later, Munson returns, to a gleeful Zarkov, as the plane bearing Flash Gordon and Dale Arden comes crashing into the laboratory. Zarkov takes cover while the plane crushes Munson and comes to a stop. Zarkov hid the gun behind his back and greets Flash and Dale, offering help and the use of his telephone. He tricks them into getting into the rocket capsule and brandishes the gun on them once he is recognized by Dale. A fight begins between him and Flash and his head hits the start button. The three of them strap themselves in as the rocket begins to take off. He tells Flash to step on the ‘red pedal’ and that friendship built the rocket to send in friendship. The g-forces cause them to pass out and the rocket heads for the Imperial Vortex. After crash landing on Mongo, the three of them are taken by strange guards into the Imperial Palace. Zarkov comments to Flash that whoever they are, the guards seem highly developed and that it might be possible to reason with them. Dale is not so convinced. They arrive at the palace and Zarkov believes that if they are in a police state, they could find allies of rebellion and thinks Flash should lead them. They are met by a wicked hovering robot who orders them to follow it. En route, it destroys a fleeing lizard man and after hearing Zarkov and Flash’s discussion about self-sacrifice, the robot destroys the gun in Zarkov’s pocket.
=Appearances
- Flash Gordon: (1934)
External Links
This article is a stub. You can help Multiversal Omnipedia by expanding it.
