Ming the Merciless

His Supreme Intelligence, Ming the Merciless, Ruler of the Universe was the self-styled Emperor of the Universe and ruler of the planet Mongo in the mid-20th century. A cruel tyrant, Ming reigned as a despot from his capital Mingo City while crushing all resistance against his rule.
After Mongo came close to the planet Earth, three humans, Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, and Hans Zarkov arrived on the planet and almost immediately made connections with various rebellious factions and dissatisfied client states that had felt the pain of Ming's yoke. Within nine years, Ming witnessed the dissolution of his empire and his own ouster from power by a planet united in their hatred of him.
== Biography ==
=== Rule over Mongo ===
==== Arrival of Flash Gordon ====
After their crashlanding in the mountains of Mongo,On the Planet Mongo - Alex Raymond & Don Moore - 14 January 1934 - Flash Gordon - Retrieved 17 September 2023 Flash Gordon and his companion Dale Arden were set upon by large reptilian creatures. Rescued by imperial troops, they were brought before Ming. Captivated by Arden's beauty, he decreed that she would be his wife, while condemning Gordon to death. Seeing Gordon fight back against his men, Ming declared that Gordon should instead be executed in combat with four Monkey Men in the palace arena.On the Planet Mongo - Alex Raymond & Don Moore - 21 January 1934 - Flash Gordon - Retrieved 17 September 2023 Through agility, wrestling, and use of pressure points Gordon quickly subdued all of his opponents, and raised his hand in challenge to Ming. Insulted, Ming ordered his guards to shoot the rebellious youth, but Gordon dodged their fire by climbing into the box occupied by the Princess Aura, daughter of Ming. She attempted to demand his life be spared, but a trap door opened beneath Gordon, dropping him into the Hole of Horrors. Ming watched his daughter plunge in behind the human.On the Planet Mongo - Alex Raymond & Don Moore - 28 January 1934 - Flash Gordon - Retrieved 17 September 2023
== Personality ==
=== Qualities ===
Ming was a sadistic and murderous ruler who exhibited great pleasure in treating his subjects to various tortures and bloodthirsty games, such as when he decided to subject Flash Gordon to be killed in combat by the Monkey Men, or when he sentenced Gordon and Prince Barin to the Two Terrible Tests rather than merely execute them.The Monsters of Mongo - Alex Raymond & Don Moore - 27 May 1934 - Flash Gordon - Retrieved 17 September 2023
== Weapons and Abilities ==
=== Inherent Abilities ===
* Durability: Ming possessed a hardy body.
** Ming survived being crushed under the weight of a falling stone idol that took the combined strength of Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, and Prince Thun to topple.On the Planet Mongo - Alex Raymond & Don Moore - 11 March 1934 - Flash Gordon - Retrieved 17 September 2023
=== Assets ===
* Authority: As Emperor of Mongo, Ming wielded considerable influence over the planet.
** The War Fleet of the Emperor could be deployed on his whim.
=== Skills ===
* Swordsmanship: 
=== Technology ===
* Dehumanizing Machine: A torturous machine designed to remove kindness, mercy, and pity from an individual and leave the victim coldly scientific and ruthless.
== Notes ==
=== Behind the Scenes ===
* Ming was created by American cartoonist Alex Raymond.These Classic Flash Gordon Comics Could Just Save Everyone of Us - James Floyd Kelly - 10 December 2012 - Wired - Retrieved 23 August 2023
== Links ==
* Ming the Merciless on Wikipedia
== See also ==
* Killer Kane
* The Mekon
== References ==
Category:Mongonians
Category:Villains
Category:Murderers
Category:Dictators
Category:Emperors
Category:Planetary rulers
Category:Emperors of the Universe
Category:World Leaders
Category:Swordfighters
Category:Comic strip characters
Category:Foes of Flash Gordon
Category:Empire of Mongo
Category:Science fiction characters
Category:Science fiction villains
Category:Creator: Alex Raymond