While the general style and quality of Eagle provided inspiration for many other later comics (including TV Century 21), the most popular and successful element was undoubtedly Dan Dare, created, written and principally illustrated by Eagle’s co-founder Frank Hampson.

As mentioned in an earlier post, PS Publishing are marking the sixtieth anniversary with the launching of Tomorrow Revisited, a completely new version of Alastair Crompton’s earlier book about Frank Hampson and his work, The Man Who Drew Tomorrow. The new book can be ordered directly from their website (below left).

Tomorrow Revisited also features seven unused characters created by Frank Hampson for Eagle, showing examples in print for the first time, along with concept and adventure background details. The seven character formats specifically, along with other examples of Frank Hampson’s work, can be seen in Wakefield Carter’s website (also written by Alastair Crompton), The Lost Characters Of Frank Hampson (below right).

As for Dan Dare himself, as featured in earlier posts, he lives on in the pages of Spaceship Away, with the twentieth issue currently on sale and issue 21 in preparation.

So it’s a special sixtieth anniversary for Eagle and of course, Happy Birthday Dan Dare!

Spaceship Away Day Poster.

On Saturday November 14th, a special event for the magazine Spaceship Away was held at Chine Bridge Lodge, Bournemouth (UK).

Launched in 2003 by Rod Barzilay, Spaceship Away presents completely new adventures of the original version of Dan Dare. Over time, the magazine has introduced other stories alongside Dan Dare, such as Nick Hazard, created by Philip Harbottle and John Lawrence and illustrated by Ron Turner, with digital colouring and reformatting by John Ridgway. A new concept has also been featured, Ex Astris, written by John Freeman and illustrated completely in CGI by Mike Nicoll.

The event itself was an opportunity for subscribers to meet various people connected with the magazine as well as additional guests such as Greta Tomlinson, one of the original Eagle artists working with Frank Hampson on Dan Dare.

On the first guest panel, Tim Booth spoke about his Dan Dare artwork in the magazine and in particular, The Gates Of Eden, on which he is both writer and illustrator.

On the same panel, Paul Stephenson from PS Publishing and Alastair Crompton made the first public announcement of a new version of Alastair’s earlier book about Frank Hampson and Eagle, The Man Who Drew Tomorrow. To emphasise the fact that the new book is not simply a reprint or slight alteration, it has the new title of Tomorrow Revisited. It’s planned for the the book to be launched in time for the sixtieth anniversary of Dan Dare next April.

Tim Booth, Alastair Crompton, Paul Stephenson.

Graham Bleathman gave a talk with examples of the various cutaway illustrations he’s produced for the magazine.

Graham Bleathman with Anastasia cutaway.

Nick Spender gave a talk relating to his earlier article in Spaceship Away, but with extra anecdotes, about his time as a student at Epsom Art School when Frank Hampson was teaching there.

Nick Spender.

Frank Hampson at Epsom School of Art and Design.

Other items during the day, included a talk by Andrew Skilleter about his Dan Dare artwork generally, plus working with Keith Watson on Dan Dare in New Eagle.

A separate room was used to display various items, such as Dan Dare models by Sid Clark (several of which have been shown in the magazine), Howard Love, Mike Wood and Chris Tubb. There were also original art boards and reproductions, along with a whole range of classic Dan Dare merchandise.

Dan Dare merchandise.

Altogether, it was an enjoyable day to celebrate a great magazine, many thanks to all concerned.

More Spaceship Away Day pictures here!

Anastasia cutaway.