97 Years Ago, One of the Most Iconic Sci-fi Comic Heroes Ever Premiered (And Changed Pop Culture Before Disappearing)

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Batman and Superman are often considered the comic book heroes who truly shaped pop culture, becoming the iconic superheroes we know today after their debut in the late 1930s. However, before these characters, other heroes captured the public’s imagination. These earlier figures focused more on science fiction adventures, and the most famous of them first appeared 97 years ago, though they’re not as well-known today.

Buck Rogers, created by Philip Francis Nowlan, first appeared in newspapers in 1929 and quickly became a groundbreaking character. The comic, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D., followed the adventures of William “Buck” Rogers, who originally appeared in Nowlan’s story Armageddon 2419 A.D. The comic’s story begins with Buck as a World War I pilot trapped in a collapsed mine. Gases within the mine put him into suspended animation, and he wakes up 500 years later to find himself in another war. He quickly rescues Wilma Deering, a future rebel, and joins her group to fight against the Mongols who have taken over America. It’s a uniquely exciting story, and Buck Rogers was once the most popular fictional character globally—and there’s talk of a possible revival.

Buck Rogers Popularized The Concept of Space Exploration (And Had Huge Influence)

Buck Rogers was incredibly popular and had a significant impact on the culture of its time. The stories expanded beyond comic strips into radio and early films, and the name “Buck Rogers” even became a way to describe anything futuristic. More importantly, Buck Rogers helped popularize space adventure and exploration, essentially laying the groundwork for the space opera genre. Other comic strips, like Flash Gordon, quickly followed suit, building on the ideas Buck Rogers introduced. This new genre went on to inspire countless science fiction works, including Star Wars, with George Lucas specifically mentioning Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon as influences. Even the acclaimed author Ray Bradbury credited the Buck Rogers comics with sparking his lifelong passion for science fiction and fantasy, and Bradbury’s own works, like Fahrenheit 451, have made him one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century.

Buck Rogers had a big impact on science fiction, going beyond even popular series like Star Wars and Star Trek. His story, featuring a hero lost in time, helped create the now-common “man out of time” trope. We see this clearly in characters like Captain America, whose story shares similarities with Buck Rogers: both were frozen in time due to events related to war and awakened years later to fight a battle in a changed world.

Despite His Massive Influence, Buck Rogers Has Disappeared (But He Might Be Making a Comeback)

I remember being absolutely captivated by Buck Rogers! It’s a shame such a groundbreaking character eventually faded from view. His last big moment, as far as I recall, was the 1979 movie Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, which then turned into a TV show. Gil Gerard really was Buck Rogers, and that movie actually launched the series. Sadly, it only lasted two seasons. I heard it was a mix of things – ratings weren’t great, some creative choices didn’t land, and apparently, some important people left the show. It’s a real loss that such an iconic figure didn’t stay around longer.

The main reason Buck Rogers declined in popularity wasn’t just the end of the TV show – it was that science fiction itself had evolved. By the late 70s and early 80s, sci-fi had become more sophisticated and contemporary. While Buck Rogers was once a major influence on the genre, the ideas he inspired began to overshadow him, making the character feel old-fashioned. As a result, he largely disappeared from public view. However, Buck Rogers’ story may not be finished. Though several attempts have been made over the years, a new movie is now in development, with Zeb Wells, a writer from Deadpool & Wolverine, signed on to write the script. Details are still scarce, but it suggests this classic hero might be making a comeback.

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2026-01-07 18:10