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Dan McDaid’s stunning SF saga, “Dega”, collected by Oni Press

By John Freeman on January 5, 2023

The Oni Press collection of DEGA, a stunning, mind-bending science fiction story from Doctor Who and Firefly comics writer Dan McDaid, his first graphic novel, will be published next week.

On a hostile alien planet, a young female astronaut searches to harness the power source buried beneath the surface while struggling to hold on to her sanity.

A crashed ship, a lone survivor, a monstrous secret hiding in the dark under the world… Dega delivers a stirring, unsettling blend of hardboiled sci-fi action, hypnagogic surrealism, and existential mystery.

The clues are all there, but hurry – time is running in…

Hailed as “electric… a title you have to read cover to cover and back to front” by Richard Starkings (Elephantmen) and “Beautiful… Valerian meets Ronin” by mindlessones.com, Dega is written, illustrated, and lettered by Dan McDaid.

Regular downthetubes readers may recall the story first featured in print in the comics anthology SHIFT, but now’s your chance to read an updated version of this incredible story arc in one epic 72-page collection, which also includes a section of production notes and designs.

Asked if there will be more of DEGA in future, Dan told downthetubes, “All I can say at this point is it’s a definite possibility…” what a tease!

Dega is available from 10th January from all good book and comic shops.

“I’m beyond thrilled that my girl Dega has found a wonderful new home,” he says. “I’ve watched with mounting excitement as the superlative team at Oni Press have shepherded my graphic novel from self-published sleeper sensation to its lavish new form.

“If you’ve read Dega before, get ready to see it in a whole new way. And if you’re here for the first time, prepare to have your mind pulled through the planet’s core and back out again.”

Dega Volume 1 by Dan McDaid - Sample Art

Dan McDaid is a comics writer and artist from Scotland. Following a well regarded run on Doctor Who Magazine, he co-created cosmic comedy drama Jersey Gods for Image Comics and cult hit Time Share for Oni Press.

Since then, he has worked on such properties as Judge Dredd and Firefly, co-developed and drew TKO’s The Fearsome Doctor Fang, and collaborated several times with fellow Scottish legend Irvine Welsh. He lives in a draughty old building overlooking the river Tay.

• Dega is available from 10th January from all good book and comic shops (AmazonUK Affiliate Link) | ISBN: 978-1637151969

• Check out Dan’s work at danmcdaid.blogspot.com | Danmcdaid.bigcartel.com | Instagram | Twitter | AmazonUK

Dega Volume 1 by Dan McDaid - Concept Art

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.