Hans Zarkov
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Dr. Hans Zarkov is a fictional character appearing in the Flash Gordon comic strip. Zarkov is a brilliant scientist who creates a rocket and forces Flash and Dale Arden in their adventures on the planet Mongo, and fight against Ming the Merciless. Eventually, he becomes a more sympathetic character who reconciles with the heroes to become a regular companion.
Zarkov was first portrayed in the Flash Gordon movie serials by Frank Shannon. He is identified as "Alexis Zarkov" in the 1938 serial Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars.
In the 1953 Flash Gordon TV series, the character was portrayed by Joseph Nash.
In the 1979 Flash Gordon animated series by Filmation, the character is played by Alan Oppenheimer. The issue of Zarkov forcing the heroes to accompany him to Mongo is avoided by changing the story by having Flash and Dale come to his underground laboratory during a dangerous meteor shower that sets of a deadly volcanic eruption that traps the visitors even as it threatens to kill them. Thus Zarkov's rocket is the only means to escape certain death and they board willingly.
In the 1980 Dino De Laurentiis Flash Gordon movie, the character is played by Chaim Topol.
In the 2007 Sci-Fi Channel television series, Flash Gordon, he is played by actor Jody Racicot. He assists Flash, Dale, and Baylin by monitoring rifts that open. He seems very nervous constantly and Baylin describes as a "strange, fidgety little man".
In the 1975 adult spoof Flesh Gordon, the character is crudely parodied as Dr. Flexi Jerkoff after the alternate name Alexi Zarkov. He is played by Joseph Hudgins.
In the original comic strip, he was first thought to have died when his ship crashed into planet Mongo. It's later revealed that Ming's minions pulled him out of the wreckage. Zarkov's character in the 1980s DC comic was handled the same way.
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