B7 Media release first Dan Dare Audio Adventures video promotion, charting character’s history

By John Freeman on November 24, 2016

Produced to celebrate the launch of the new Dan Dare Audio Adventures from B7 Media and Big Finish Productions, which launch next month, Dan Dare: A Brief History takes a detailed look at one of Britain’s most celebrated comic book creations.

From his first adventures in the Eagle, through reboots and reimagining, to adventures on television and radio, Dan Dare has adapted to his times, but always captivated audiences young and old.

Narrated by Geoffrey McGivern, who plays Digby in the series, produced by Andrew Mark Sewell and directed by Daniel Fox for Chat Noir Productions Ltd., be warned that it does include some rather scary appearances by myself, but I was obviously delighted to be involved, just as I was that the new Dare universe I worked up formed the basis of the project, which the script writers have expanded on in style.

Under the gun. Sunglasses advised for these sequences in Dan Dare: A Brief History.

One aim of this ‘brief history’ – and it is brief, especially when you consider how many stories have been told – was to reflect the number of different takes on the character. It was impossible to give every single one – including some roads not taken – the same level of coverage in the time available. I do hope we have been able to reference as many as possible.

Thanks to everyone who kindly supplied visuals, including Eagle fans and “Dare” artist Rian Hughes.

• For more information on the Dan Dare Audio Adventures visit: www.dandareaudio.com

John Freeman

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.