Philip Francis Nowlan created the Buck Rogers adventure comic strip in 1929, which quickly became widely syndicated in daily and Sunday newspapers throughout the U.S. Nowlan’s original creation was developed in numerous stories, comic strip series, radio broadcasts, and films, popularizing the idea of space travel to an audience desperate for escape.

To the kid of the Great Depression and 1930s, Buck Rogers was as real as anything else one could read in the newspapers—and much more inspiring than reports on the dismal economy or impending war. Buck Rogers as a character, and as a concept, brought new dimensions to traditional “adventure” stories while introducing current science, innovative technology, and bold imagination to the form. The synthesis of contemporary arts with emergent physical sciences can be seen in Nowlan’s artistic expression, which sometimes mimicked the post-impressionist art of his day. Richard Calkins was hired as the artist. With Calkins living in Chicago, communication was slow, but the two planned it within a six week “lead time.” There were no desktop computers in 1929—just typewriters and the post office. Nowlan would write the story and lay out the frames, which Calkins would then draw. Nowlan’s sketch often worked better than words in conveying a thought.

With the lead characters drawn as self-portraits, his wife, Theresa starring as “Wilma Deering” and Phil the leading man as “Buck Rogers”, Nowlan added to his cast. “Dr. Huer” was named after his friend, Dr. Russell Heuer.  Professor Stoddard, modelled after Robert Goddard built the rocketship, and so on, and off to Mars they went…

Young Americans who longed to be engineers or scientists — some who would wind up at NASA in the 1960s — loved Buck, Wilma, and the thought of space travel. Buck had his fantastical contraptions: rocket pistols, rocket ships, “degravity” belts, space suits, “electro-hypno mentalphones” and his outer space adventure heroics set a high threshold for all to follow. Buck was the progenitor of the larger-than-life “superhero”. Buck Rogers, an international phenomenon and space hero was born of the imagination of Philip Francis Nowlan in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

“The BUCK starts here” is an appropriate catchphrase, shouts of joy when someone dear returns home - BUCK is back - the BUCK starts here - and for the Nowlans after so many long years this is a very special moment. We invite you to join in the celebration - the BUCK starts here.

Nowlan bridged the gap between science and entertainment in his intergalactic adventures with AI and robots gone rouge, teleporting, rocket racers and wonderful women from other planets, aliens, mutant creatures, sky guards and suspended roadhouses in the skies. Instantaneous success was no accident as behind the strip’s creation was one of the most logical, scientifically planned “worlds of if”. There was no end to his imagined and outer bounds of his new world including sounds - ZAP! Jim Coffeen, a dear man and friend read the Buck Rogers strip in a Minneapolis newspaper when he was 10 or 12 years of age and became a lifelong fan. Back in the day, he shared, socially it was not polite to talk about what was read in the pulp magazines, however the daily papers and radio were front and center stage. You could talk about it indeed! The BUCK starred here.

Come celebrate your classic adventure hero with The BUCK Starts Here apparel with family, friends and fans. It will make you feel young again. Pairs well with tin foil hats and a smile.

A Philly classic. Stay tuned as the story unfolds with more to come.