Princess Aura

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Princess Aura is a fictional character in the Flash Gordon comic strips and serials. She is the daughter of the series villain, Ming the Merciless, and the lover of Prince Barin, the rightful heir to the throne of Mongo, and is banished with him to the forest world of Arboria.

In 1936, Princess Aura was played by Priscilla Lawson in the movie serial Flash Gordon.

In 1940, The role was played by Shirley Deane in the serial Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe.

In the 1979 Filmation animated Flash Gordon series, Princess Aura's voice was provided by Melendy Britt.

In 1980, the role was played by Ornella Muti in the Flash Gordon motion picture produced by Dino De Laurentiis.

In Filmation's The New Adventures of Flash Gordon animated series (1979-1980), Princess Aura was portrayed canonically as Ming the Merciless' ostensibly-villainous daughter, who at first aided her father versus Flash and company, but later on would turn against him and join the rebel forces of Mongo - no doubt in part due to her attraction to Flash Gordon. She also had an elite guard of female warriors under her command known as the Witch-Women. After Ming was removed from power, the Witch-Women remained in Princess Aura's service.

Princess Aura also initially resented Dale Arden and rejected Prince Barin's affections, but would do a complete turn-around and become the former's friend and the latter's love interest as the series progressed. Consequently, her attraction to Flash is downplayed and does not resurface after her desertion of her father.

[edit] Trivia

A look at Princess Aura's character model sheet strongly indicates a close resemblance to Teela, who is one of the principal characters in the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series. This is perhaps unsurprising, considering that MOTU was another Filmation production and proved far more popular than "The Adventures of Flash Gordon". However, this is not to say the series has no fans at all. In fact, it is highly regarded to this day to be one of Filmation's finest efforts.

Melendy Britt would later on provide the voice for the title character in She-Ra, Princess of Power, Filmation's follow-up to "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe."