Scientists who only care about their research, working for a crazed dictator? Enh, I'm sure it'll turn out fine.

Usually when we see a Gold Key issue, the cover is the strongest component, but today the interiors are pretty good too! From 1978, Flash Gordon #20, "Citadel" Written by John Warner, art by Carlos Garzon.

Ming knows Flash, Dale, and Zarkov were back on Mongo; and nearing Citadel, his "city of science." The city's ruler, the radiant Queen Auralon, seems more interested in Zarkov; but she also appears to be literally glowing. Flash and crew fight giant bats on the ice, that are impervious to their usual ray guns; but are saved by Citadel guards with black-light weapons. Captured, they are taken to the city, and meet Auralon through hologram, which she refers to as a "security precaution." The scientists of the city don't really want to work for Ming, but don't have much choice: Auralon had been researching immortality, and she might have achieved it, with the unfortunate side effect of emitting lethal radiation. I'm mildly surprised that's a deal-breaker for Ming, but he does like his brides, I suppose, and probably wouldn't much care for them being immortal too. While Flash and Dale make an escape attempt, and realize the black-light guns only work on the bats; Zarkov makes a deal with Auralon, who's willing to betray Ming for a cure.

Ming and his disgraced, on-his-last-chance warlord ride to the Citadel on lizard mounts; since he had set Citadel up carefully: the radiation from the weird ice prevented rockets from flying over, and the Citadel's weapons only worked on the local wildlife. Auralon doesn't think Ming will destroy the city and kill everyone, since its science was invaluable. While Zarkov starts work on a particle accelerator, with an "emergency exit" Auralon spots immediately; Flash works out a defense: driving the bats into Ming's forces. Ming is pretty sure that's Flash's doing; but by now probably attributes every misfortune to Flash: mustache a little droopy, coffee not warm enough, cloudy day, whatever.

Zarkov begins his experiment with Auralon, but he, Flash, and Dale have to leave before he can see the results. Ming arrives in Citadel, takes out a bit of frustration on Auralon's head guard, then discovers she had been cured: no longer radioactive, and seemingly maybe a couple of decades older, although she didn't care if he killed her. Although it looks like he wants to strangle her, that would be a bit much for a Gold Key book, so Ming punches his warlord instead, who considers that Ming has failed in front of men he controls. Auralon gazes wistfully out into the ice, wishing Zarkov well; while Flash and company move on to the next adventure.

There's a wordy house ad with art from this issue, in this issue; and the classic sea-monkeys ad! Hmm, maybe not the classic, looks like the price had gone up a quarter.