Toy OTD: Schylling Reproduction Flash Gordon Rocket Fighter (2004)

I've never been a purist in terms of original toys vs. "repros" - if it's well-made, I'll happily buy a reproduction (of course, it helps if the value of the original is in the ionosphere). Still, this sparking friction toy is a great example of how good a replica can be!

It's huge - 12" long - and looks a great deal like the real thing (I can't be the best judge, as I've never seen the original toy in person). It sparks and rolls around like the real thing, and the colorful artwork's terrific! It's great to be able to own one without having to shell out thousands of dollars.

Indeed - you can still buy one at robotisland.com for $16.95 + shipping!

What Do You Mean, "Flash Gordon Approaching"?

SCI FI WIRE: Flash Blasts Off Again

SCI FI Channel has green-lighted production on Flash Gordon, a series based on the popular comic-strip franchise, the channel announced Jan. 12 at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif.

Production on the 22 one-hour episodes begins in Canada early this year. The series, produced by Reunion Pictures, is slated to debut on SCI FI in July, with a broadcast syndication window to follow.

The series will be produced under an agreement between King Features Syndicate, which owns the rights to Flash Gordon, and Robert Halmi Sr. and Robert Halmi Jr. (The Legend of Earthsea).

The characters of Ming, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov will be brought back for a contemporary retelling of the comic-strip story created in 1934 by Alex Raymond. The strip is still distributed internationally by King Features Syndicate.