Flash Gordon #1

Flash Gordon crashes his car near Dr. Zarkov's house during a rainstorm, where he encounters Dale Arden and Zarkov discussing a rocket that landed nearby years ago. Mistaking Flash for "Jake of Insight America," Zarkov forces them into his rocket, which launches into space and crash-lands on the planet Mongo. They face various dangers, including a giant worm, before being taken prisoner by Ming the Merciless. Flash fights in an arena to survive, impressing Ming, who then tries to kill him by lowering him into a pit of boiling sludge.