Buck Rogers
Buck Rogers first appeared in the novella "Armageddon 2419 AD" by Philip Francis Nowlan, which was published in the August 1928 issue of the magazine Amazing Stories. Its sequel, "The Airlords of Han" was published in the May 1929 issue. These two novellas were combined to publish the paperback novel "Armageddon 2419 AD" in the 1960s.
The John F. Dille Company (later known as National Newspaper Syndicate) contacted Nowlan right away in order to start a comic strip in the newspapers based on "Armageddon", and enlisting the illustrator Dick Calkins the development began. The first strip of the "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century AD" line was published in January 7, 1929. It proved to be a lasting success, spawning spin-offs in various media, and also "inspiring" other comic strips as well, most notably "Flash Gordon" in 1934.
The first "Buck Rogers" radio drama, which aired in 1932, was the first science fiction themed radio program in the US. In 1933, Nowlan and Calkins co-wrote the novella "Buck Rogers in the 25th century", re-imagining the origins of the character. This was the basis for most of the later versions. The first short film was shot in 1934, and the serial was released in 1939, in the wake of the cinematic success of "Flash Gordon".
The comic strip continued on until July 8, 1967, when the final installment of the original series was published. It was revived in 1979 (probably thanks to the success of the television series) by Gray Morrow and Jim Lawrence, and was renamed in 1980 as "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century". It didn't survive long the cancellation of the TV-series in 1981, though; in 1983 the comic strip ended, and has not returned since.
The John F. Dille Company (later known as National Newspaper Syndicate) contacted Nowlan right away in order to start a comic strip in the newspapers based on "Armageddon", and enlisting the illustrator Dick Calkins the development began. The first strip of the "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century AD" line was published in January 7, 1929. It proved to be a lasting success, spawning spin-offs in various media, and also "inspiring" other comic strips as well, most notably "Flash Gordon" in 1934.
The first "Buck Rogers" radio drama, which aired in 1932, was the first science fiction themed radio program in the US. In 1933, Nowlan and Calkins co-wrote the novella "Buck Rogers in the 25th century", re-imagining the origins of the character. This was the basis for most of the later versions. The first short film was shot in 1934, and the serial was released in 1939, in the wake of the cinematic success of "Flash Gordon".
The comic strip continued on until July 8, 1967, when the final installment of the original series was published. It was revived in 1979 (probably thanks to the success of the television series) by Gray Morrow and Jim Lawrence, and was renamed in 1980 as "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century". It didn't survive long the cancellation of the TV-series in 1981, though; in 1983 the comic strip ended, and has not returned since.
List activity
454 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
- 9 titles
- DirectorsFord BeebeSaul A. GoodkindStarsBuster CrabbeConstance MooreJackie MoranA 20th Century pilot named Buck Rogers and his young friend Buddy Wade awake from 500 years in suspended animation to find that the world has been taken over by the outlaw army of Killer Kane.The movie serial. The actor that plays Rogers, Buster Crabbe, is the same that plays rival comic strip character Flash Gordon in the eponymous movie serials released in 1936, 1938 and 1940. Got re-edited into feature films three times; in 1953 (as "Planet Outlaws"), in 1966 (as "Destination Saturn") and in 1977 (as "Buck Rogers").
- StarsHarry KingstonRobert PasteneLucy PrentisA twentieth century football player is swept to the twenty-fifth century and joins the battle against the local despot.Fifties television revival; made live-action, no known copies exist.
- DirectorsFord BeebeSaul A. GoodkindStarsBuster CrabbeConstance MooreJackie MoranA 20th Century pilot named Buck Rogers and his young friend Buddy Wade awake from 500 years in suspended animation to find that the world has been taken over by the outlaw army of Killer Kane.Re-edited feature from the 1939 serial "Buck Rogers".
- DirectorsFord BeebeSaul A. GoodkindStarsBuster CrabbeConstance MooreJackie MoranA 20th Century pilot named Buck Rogers and his young friend Buddy Wade awake from 500 years in suspended animation to find that the world has been taken over by the outlaw army of Killer Kane.Re-edited feature from the 1939 serial "Buck Rogers".
- DirectorDaniel HallerStarsGil GerardErin GrayPamela Hensley20th century astronaut Buck Rogers emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into the 25th century where Earth is nearly devastated by nuclear warfare and now threatened by alien invaders.Pilot to the seventies series; got released in cinemas also.
- CreatorsGlen A. LarsonLeslie StevensStarsGil GerardErin GrayFelix Silla20th century astronaut Buck Rogers emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into the 25th century to become Earth's greatest hero and to explore the unknown reaches of deep space.Seventies television revival.
