Hans Zarkov

Hans Zarkov is a fictional scientist and a major supporting character featured in the Flash Gordon multimedia franchise. He was created by writer and artist Alex Raymond and first appeared in the Flash Gordon comic strip series in 1934. The character also played a large role in the Flash Gordon film serials by Universal Pictures. Played by actor Frank Shannon, he appeared in the 1938 film Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, although the character's name was changed to Alexis Zarkov for the serial. Zarkov also appeared in the 1979 Flash Gordon animated series by Filmation. He appeared in every episode of the cartoon and was voiced by Alan Oppenheimer. Doctor Zarkov appeared in the 1980 feature film production of Flash Gordon, where he was played by Palestinian actor Chaim Topol (credited as just Topol in the film). Doctor Hans Zarkov has also appeared in nearly comic book adaptation of the Flash Gordon mythos as well.