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But, Hal, the Star Wars comic books were derived from the movie, not vice versa.
Yeah yeah I know, cap, which is why it only squeaks in on a technicality; the comic technically was available first.

If we're counting the comic strip FLASH GORDON (good call there, btw), then I guess technically we'd have to include popular comic strip character TARZAN THE APE MAN, boasting both that MGM gloss, and "more stars than there are in Heaven", or whatever the slogan was. PRINCE VALIANT would also qualify as a comics-inspired 'heavy hitter' in the big stars and big budget department.