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
Artwork © Gavin Aslett. Dan Dare © 2014 The Dan Dare Corporation
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
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
Strontium Dog-inspired zine, “Dogbreath”, joins Fanscene Project archive 
David Roach and Pete Doherty continue “Nightmare New York” in 2000AD, tributes paid to the late John M. Burns 
Rebellion announces The Judge Dredd Art of Jock, out next year 
Alan Grant Memorial Scholarship Announced