Writer – Dan Jurgens
Artist – Dan Jurgens
Inker – Bruce D. Patterson
Colours – Anthony Tollin
Letters – John Workman

When last seen, Flash and Dale were trapped inside Aura’s apartment, now a deathtrap, after having relations with each other of a very intimate nature. The sudden danger was unexpected of course and after a little logical thinking, they come to the conclusion that it was Aura who must have put this situation into play after discovering their little amorous dance. Such as it is, Dale and Flash were not meant to perish just yet and manage an escape while elsewhere, King Vultan of the floating city has been informed that without the energy or technology Ming used to provide them with, the city will soon crash back to the planet below – a punishment for failing to keep ahold of Dale Arden. For King Vultan, this is the final straw and he means to make Ming pay for what he has done. As for the intrepid hero of this book, he patches things up with Aura for the moment, heads to Arboria to try and gain their help in fighting Ming and while talking to Prince Barrin is captured by King Vultan’s men. While all of this is going on, author Dan Jurgens has not forgotten about the villain of the book as Ming is currently showing Zarkov just how it is he rules which Zarkov finds all a bit unseemly. Moves are then made by King Vultan and counters are put in play by Ming while in the middle of it all are Flash, Dale, Aura and Barrin, currently prisoners but not for long as Zarkov manages to give a little aid at just the right moment. Jurgens then ends the book on a cliffhanger, with Dale and Flash in trouble once more while the rest of the planet sizzles on the brink of boiling over. This was yet another fun issue with Jurgens juggling the various characters and situations to create a scenario where it looks as if Ming is going to be on the receiving end instead of being the one to dish it all out. One can only push a person or a people so far until a breaking point is reached and King Vultan is the first to defy Ming in such an outward fashion. Will Arboria be next? What of the other lands Flash and company have been to and those yet to be visited? One also has to wonder just where Aura will find herself when push comes to shove. Will she commit to her new friends and maybe become queen herself or will she side with her father so that he continues his rule? Tons of action with a bit of drama thrown in make for another solid issue.

3.5 out of 5