First landing on the scene in 1929, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was a smash hit! Regarded as highly influential in the growth and proliferation of the sci-fi genre, Buck Rogers first began as a comic strip before spreading to other forms of media. Created by Phillip Francis Nowlan and illustrated by Dick Calkins and Russell Keaton, the comic went through various authors and illustrators until its discontinuation in 1967. Buck Rogers also appeared in various comic books, eventually receiving a six issue comic series. There were twelve Buck Rogers Little Big Books created for younger audiences. More notably, Buck Rogers had various television and film adaptations over its lifespan.
Within the panels of the comics and the scenes of the video media, an array of fun characters and a variety of spectacles waited to be unveiled. From the eponymous Buck Rogers to the ostentatious Killer Kane, there was no lack of unique personalities on display. Fans could take a peek into a 25th century world, both on Earth and in worlds beyond our own!
Join Us on a Retrospective of the Beloved Buck Rogers
As Buck Rogers has undergone various changes across its iterations, we aim to document the different versions of this fantastic story. Every version of the tale masterfully highlights the zeitgeist of space and futuristic technology at the time of their publication! While originally named Anthony Rogers in the story Armageddon 2419 A.D., we hope to capture Buck’s history following the start of the comic strip. Join us on this trip from the 20th century to the 25th century!
Early History
The 1929 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. comics had a nigh-uncountable number of strips during its lengthy run. The plot followed Rogers, who awoke 500 years after a mine caved in on him. After his awakening, he learned that Mongols had taken over the United States in their global conquest. Along with Wilma Deering, whom he met not long after learning about the new world, Buck led various teammates in his fight against the Mongols and (eventually) extraterrestrial life. The comic strip was most people’s first introduction to now-sci-fi mainstays, such as space ships, laser guns, and more! According to the New York Times, at its pinnacle in 1934, the strip was published in 287 US newspapers, 160 international newspapers, and was even translated into eighteen languages for global audiences! By the end of its thirty-eight year run, however, the strip only appeared in twenty-eight newspapers.
Starting in 1932, the first sci-fi radio program, Buck Rogers, made its way into the homes of many. Following the same story beats as the comic, the radio show served to bring the tales of the charming hero to a new audience. The transformation from a solely visual medium to a solely auditory medium proved to be an enjoyable experience for the audience. Various actors voiced the titular character, with side characters Wilma Deering and Dr. Huer making frequent appearances.
Subsequently, Buck Rogers was first made into a film by means of a ten-minute short film presented at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair! The piece was titled Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: An Interplanetary Battle with the Tiger Men of Mars. Additionally, Rogers received a twelve-part film serial produced by Universal Pictures aired in 1939. Eleven years later, a thirty-six episode long television series premiered on ABC. Unfortunately, only one episode of the 1950-1951 show survives to this day.
The 1979 Revival of Buck Rogers
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was graced with a revival in 1979, with the film leading the charge. The film was of a new continuity, following NASA astronaut Buck Rogers who becomes frozen in space for roughly 500 years. The film is certainly worth a watch for those interested in the titular hero, though it was no cinematic masterpiece. Despite middling reviews, the film was a financial success, making $21.7 million at the box office off of a $3.5 million budget.
Due to the film’s success, a television show by the same name was produced by Universal for NBC. The show continued the story of the film, following the adventures of Buck Rogers and his efforts against the villainous Princess Ardala, Kane, and more. The series had a run of two seasons, consisting of thirty-seven episodes.
Unsurprisingly, as the Buck Rogers series was brought back for its reintroduction, a new comic series was concurrently produced. The comic, which ran for four years, featured both a daily and Sunday strip. While the daily strip focused on the hero’s typical happenings, the Sunday strip had its own unique plot line. Because not all newspapers carried the Sunday issues, Buck was absent from most issues to prevent fans from missing parts of his ventures. Instead, those issues followed Wilma’s younger brother, Buddy Deering, and his cohorts.
The Toys of Buck Rogers
Beginning in the 1930s, Buck Rogers began to receive various toys for eager fans to play with. Companies produced lead miniatures for most characters, both in unpainted and hand-painted forms. Additionally, the Louis Marx and Company toy company produced a tin spaceship toy featuring the heroic Buck Rogers aiming a gun. Additionally, the ship shot sparks as it rolled! Another notable early toy was the Buck Rogers Rocket Pistol, the first toy ray gun ever made. Later, the Atomic/Disintegrator Pistol joined the lineup of futuristic toys!
As Buck Rogers fell out of fashion, toys stopped being produced for the franchise. This resulted in their absence from shelves until their resurgence in 1979.
With the release of the 1979 film, Buck Rogers toys found their way back into stores and the homes of fans. Toy company MEGO took on the duty of producing action figures to supplement the new media. With 3 3/4″ and 8″ scale toys, the Buck Rogers figure lineup sought to appeal to various ways of play. The smaller figures had more impressive articulation than the likes of Kenner figures from the time, displaying the effort put into the production of the toys. Additionally, companies like HG Toys made role play toys around the same time. Store sold the handheld Twiki Flasher both as a standalone piece and in a communications kit among walkie-talkies, a wrist radio, and more.
Buck Rogers in the 21st Century
Following the end of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century in 1981, there were decades of silence regarding the franchise. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, a few sparse updates regarding Buck appeared. Despite the low number of updates, the bits and pieces fans received were rather interesting!
In 2014, a life-sized Twiki figure was announced to be releasing in January of 2015. Twiki was stated to have been hand-sculpted by experts who referenced hundreds of images of the robot. The TWKE-4 robot was roughly four feet tall and forty-five pounds in weight with an adjustable head. Going for well over $1,000, the statue was targeted toward devoted fans and did an impeccable job at capturing the visage of the robot.
Late into 2020, Legendary Entertainment stated that they had a new Buck Rogers television series in the works. The show was planned to feature movie star George Clooney. Not long later, Skydance Media stated that they were working with Phillip Francis Nowlan’s estate to make a Rogers film. They subsequently stated that Legendary did not have the rights to Buck Rogers. Unfortunately, no updates for either adaptation have been released since. The lack of follow-ups left many fans disappointed by receiving announcements that raised their hopes and then let them down.
What Are Your Fondest Memories of Buck Rogers?
Though it may seem left in the past, Buck Rogers has had a lasting impact on fans and the sci-fi genre as a whole. From the comics to the shows and films to even the radio broadcasts, the multimedia franchise left no stone unturned. Buck Rogers played a pivotal role in popularizing the science fiction genre internationally. From Buck to Twiki to Hawk to Killer Kane, the franchise created a plethora of fan favorites to enjoy!
Since its explosive beginning nearly one century ago, the series has accrued a number of fans through several channels. We would love to hear about your experiences with Buck Rogers. Did you fall in love with the series through the 1979 film, or perhaps through the show reruns on BBC Two in the 90s? What are your thoughts on the divisive Twiki robot; do you love him or hate him? Let us know about your Buck Rogers experiences in the comments below!
Do You Have Old and Used Buck Rogers Toys?
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Made in collaboration with:
Chris Ingledue
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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!