Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, and Dr. Hans Zarkov, visitors from Earth, are traveling in a spaceship to the planet Mongo with a dire warning: The two planets will soon collide. However, as the ship approaches, the group is shot down by local forces, crashing in the ocean. They are saved by a group of Gill Men, insofar as they are saved from drowning; they effectively become part of the "catch of the day," alongside Prince Barin of the Arborians, and Prince Thun of the Lion-Men. The two of them, little as they can appear to stand one another, give them their introduction to Mongo: The planet is suffering under the tyrannical rule of self-proclaimed Ming the Merciless. However, all races on Mongo are enemies to one another; as a result, Flash observes, no matter how much any or each of them may