Back in 2014, after Rebellion, the publishers of 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine first announced collections of the “Dan Dare” stories published in early editions of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, we featured an item on artist and photographer Gavin Aslett‘s continuation of the story – and now we have some art from a new, colour version based on his tale, by the artist known only by the pen name “Danny“.
The story of the 2000AD Dan Dare incarnation – drawn for a lot of its later run by Dave Gibbons – finished abruptly in Prog 126, just before 2000AD merged with Tornado, with Dan on the run and trying to clear his name. The storyline was never to be resolved and Dan Dare never returned to the comic.
“The ending showed Dan leaving Earth to track down a shapeshifter and thereby clear his own name of crimes committed by the shapeshifter while in his form,” noted artist Gavin Aslett, who created his own conclusion to the 2000AD incarnation with a 36-page strip, “Journey Through Time“.
“The Dave Gibbons series was very captivating,” he noted in discussion with Pat Mills back in 2012. “Most of the people at school I went to were into 2000AD‘s ‘Dan Dare’ and ‘Judge Dredd’ did not really get popular until ‘The Cursed Earth’ series in Prog 60. ‘Dan Dare’ was badly treated by 2000AD and still does deserve a conclusion.
“I can’t stand all these Eagle Dan Dare fanatics who pompously criticise the 2000AD Dan Dare version. It’s a generational thing and the 2000AD Dan Dare reflected the 1970s kids were growing up in – hence that is why it appealed to me. I like the 1950’s Eagle version, but it is part of another nostalgic age.
“Worse still, I can’t stand all these 2000AD revisionists who never bought the comic in the beginning who tell us how awful Dan Dare was in 2000AD.”
Now based in Rome, Gavin – a hugely talented photographer, television graphic designer, video producer (he’s worked with bands such as Suzerain on their promotions) storyboard artist and more – very kindly sent us some samples of his strip which ends the 2000AD Dan Dare’s saga.
“The story took over a year to complete as I referenced original artwork by Dave Gibbons to keep the continuity of the strip and try to give the story a conclusion,” says Gavin. “I think after 35 years it deserved one.”
Last year, the artist known only as “Danny” approached Gavin about adapting his black and white “Journey Through Time” story into a full colour adventure, and we’re delighted to present some of his pages here, with his full permission.
Still to be lettered, Danny has recreated drawn thirteen pages based on Gavin’s story, which he completed in 2009, so far.
downthetubes readers need to be aware the samples that follow are work in progress and still need lettering, but Gavin tells us he’s generally pleased with how his script has been interpreted.
The new adaptation is still a long way off completion and there may still be changes in look before it’s finished.
In addition to this Dan Dare adaptation, Danny writes and draws his own SF strip “Buttocks Rogers”, which looks like a wonderful, daft homage to classic SF. Check out some samples on his DeviantArt page.
• You can read Gavin Aslett’s full “Journey Through Time” story and find out more about his work by following through to his site here: http://gaslett.wix.com/gavinaslettwebreboot#!untitled/c12j7
• He’s also at http://www.youtube.com/gaslett and www.saatchiart.com/GavinAslett
• Buy the Dan Dare 2000AD collections from AmazonUK (Affiliate LinK)
Journey through Time Artwork © Gavin Aslett and “Danny”. “Journey Through Time” story written by Gavin Aslett
Dan Dare © 2019 The Dan Dare Corporation
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News