Flash Gordon 1988 #9

The Plot: "The Final Conflict"

The Rebellion has arrived at the gates of Mingo City. This isn't just a battle for a city; it’s a battle for the very survival of the planet.

• The Siege of Mingo City: Jurgens delivers sprawling, cinematic splash pages. The combined forces of the Hawkmen (Sky), the Arborians (Forest), and the Lion Men launch a coordinated assault against Ming's robot legions and laser batteries.
• The Final Duel: Flash Gordon, recovered but battle-scarred, infiltrates the palace for a final showdown with Ming. This version of their duel is brutal—less about "fencing" and more about a desperate struggle between a tyrant’s ego and a hero’s resolve.
• The Fate of Ming: In a departure from some older versions where Ming simply disappears, this finale provides a more definitive, catastrophic end for the Emperor, involving the very technology he used to enslave the world.
• The New Era: The issue ends on a hopeful but grounded note. Flash, Dale, and Zarkov aren't just "going home"—they have to deal with the political fallout of a liberated planet and the realization that rebuilding Mongo will be just as hard as winning the war.