| Dale Arden | |
|---|---|
 ' | |
|
Real Name |
Dale Arden |
|
First Appearance |
Flash Gordon comic strip (January 7, 1934) |
|
Original Publisher |
King Features Syndicate |
|
Created by |
Alex Raymond |
Origin[]
Dale Arden is a fictional character, the fellow adventurer and love interest of Flash Gordon. Flash, Dale and Dr. Hans Zarkov fight together against Ming the Merciless.
Dale is Flash Gordon's constant companion in his adventures, as well as his one true love. The emperor Ming the Merciless is immediately attracted to her and the early strips were essentially based on Flash's heroic efforts to rescue Dale from Ming's many attempts to marry her.
Dale Arden is introduced in the first Flash Gordon story (January 7, 1934), as simply "a passenger" on the plane Flash is flying on. After the plane is hit by a meteor, Flash saves Dale by parachuting to the ground. The two are then abducted by Dr. Zarkov, who takes them on his rocket to the planet Mongo. Dale often comes into conflict with other female characters who desire Flash romantically (such as Princess Aura and Queen Azura).
Public Domain Appearances[]
Public Domain Comic Strip Appearances[]
- Flash Gordon (January 7, 1934 - October 18, 1936)
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Flash Gordon Strange Adventure Magazine (1936)
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- Mars Attacks the World (1938)
- Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940)
Public Domain TV Appearances[]
- Flash Gordon (1954-1955, 39 episodes)
Notes[]
- Dale Arden's first appearance in the January 7, 1934, comic strip was not renewed 28 years later in 1961 or 1962.
- "Dale Arden" is still trademarked by King Features Syndicate, so his name has to be in the interior of any story.
- Dale Arden is the prototypic heroine for later female characters, including Princess Leia and Padmé Amidala in Star Wars.