Dan Dare: The Lost 2000AD Story

Dan Dare from 2000AD Prog 114 (cover date: 26 May 1979). Art by Dave Gibbons. Dan Dare © Dan Dare Corporation

Dan Dare from 2000AD Prog 114 (cover date: 26 May 1979). Art by Dave Gibbons. Dan Dare © Dan Dare Corporation

Earlier this month we reported that Rebellion, the publishers of 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine, had announced collections of the “Dan Dare” stories published in early editions of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, with the first of a two-volume series set to be published in autumn 2015.

We also reported how 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 he 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,” notes artist Gavin Aslett, who created his own conclusion to the 2000AD incarnation with a 36-page strip, “Journey Through Time“, which he would love to see feature in any collection of the strip.

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 – has very kindly sent us some samples of his strip which ends the 2000AD Dan Dare’s saga, which he tells us Pat Mills has mentioned to Rebellion.

“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!

“I would be over the moon if Rebellion used my strip to conclude the story in the Graphic Novel reprints.”

• You can read Gavin’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 

Dan Dare - Journey Through Time by Gavin Aslett:

Dan Dare - Journey Through Time by Gavin Aslett:

Dan Dare - Journey Through Time by Gavin Aslett:

Dan Dare - Journey Through Time by Gavin Aslett:

Dan Dare - Journey Through Time by Gavin Aslett:

Artwork © Gavin Aslett. Dan Dare © 2014 The Dan Dare Corporation



Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, Creating Comics

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