Ming the Merciless

Ming the Merciless (simply known as Ming) is the main antagonist of the Flash Gordon comic strip. He is the Emperor of Mongo and arch-enemy of Flash Gordon. He is the blasphemous and tyrannical dictator of the planet, bent on the conquest of Earth. When Flash Gordon and his companions, scientist Hans Zarkov and Dale Arden traveled to Mongo to prevent its collision with Earth, they were captured by Emperor Ming's forces. Soon, Emperor Ming's megalomaniac views brought him in conflict with the earthlings. He has become a staple of the "Flash Gordon" mythos appearing in every incarnation.