As comic strips were popularized during the early 20th century, many favored titles revolved around the mysteries and adventures of space and the future. Among those perennial favorites is Buck Rogers, an explorer of the time thrust far into the future.
Buck Rogers was created by newspaper columnist and science fiction writer, Philip Francis Nowlan. He introduced the character in the 1928 novella Armageddon 2419 A.D., which was published in the August issue of the pulp magazine Amazing Stories. The character would go on to have a significant impact on science fiction, particularly concepts of space exploration. Following his introduction in the novella, Buck Rogers was the star of a comic strip for 40 years, which spun off into a radio series, a 1939 movie serial, and two TV shows.
The character began as World War I veteran Anthony Rogers, who started working for the American Radioactive Gas Corporation, investigating reports of phenomena at abandoned coal mines near Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. He got caught in a cave at the mine’s lower levels and was exposed to radioactive gas, which left him in suspended animation without any apparent physical or mental effects.
He was awakened in 2419, after 492 years below the surface. Thinking that he’d only been asleep for hours he was confused by the unfamiliar forest and strange clothes worn by the people he encountered. He met Wilma Deering, who took him back to her camp where he shared what he learned during World War I to help them defeat the Hans who ruled North America. The sequel The Airlords of Han, picked up six months later with Rogers as a gang leader against the airlords.
The comic strip was adapted from the original story with editorial cartoonist Dick Calkins illustrating the strip. Nowlan adapted the first episode from Armageddon 2419, A.D., changing the character’s name from Anthony to Buck.
The Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. comic strip officially began on January 7, 1929. The strip was similar to the novella, with Buck’s origin story and Wilma relaying what happened to the world as he lay suspended in the mine. He also learned about new technology like disintegrator beams and how the surviving people have scattered as organizations called orgs.
On March 30, 1930, a Sunday strip was added to accompany the daily strip, which initially followed Buddy Deering, Wilma’s younger brother, and his girlfriend Alura.
The initial run ended on July 8, 1967, then was revived in 1979 by Gray Morrow and Jim Lawrence as Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and ran through the early 1980s. The comic strip was reprinted in Big Little Books and adapted into a pop-up book, among other media.
Buck Rogers’ popularity expanded into the world of collectibles, including the high grade Buck Rogers 25th Century rare button, currently for sale at Hake’s Auctions. The 1-1/2” celluloid button depicts art by Calkins, featuring Buck with Dr. Huer looking over his shoulder. This example has deep blue backing color and high gloss. Of the four Hake’s has seen in their 52 years, they consider this to be the best example in existence. Auction #226 is now open for bidding, set to close on March 13-14, 2019.
