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Eagle Times Looks Back on the Life and Work of Charles Chilton (Volume 25, Number Three)

By John Freeman on September 30, 2012

Eagle Times Volume 25 Number Three - Cover

This issue’s cover photograph of Charles Chilton is from a 1985 issue of Radio Times

The latest issue of Eagle Times (Volume 25, Number Three) is now available.

Autumn 2012 Contents

‘Charles Chilton – the Modest Showman – and Journey into Space‘. Inspired by Chilton’s recent autobiography, Charlie’s Auntie, Alan Vince looks back at his own interest in Chilton’s work and an unsuccessful attempt to put together a book on Journey into Space.
‘Riders of the Range Photographs’ – a reader shares his nostalgia for Charles Chilton’s western, which began on BBC radio before appearing as a comic strip in Eagle, in the form of autographed photographs of the cast of the radio series, which he was given as a child in the early 1950s
‘A Look at Luck’ – part 5 of a series examining the French Foreign Legion strip by Geoffrey Bond and Martin Aitchison, which ran in Eagle from 1952 – 1961
‘Susan Travers’ – the first, and only, female to serve officially, in the the French Foreign Legion.
‘Royal Mail Comics Stamps’ – a look at the recent (March 2012) issue of Royal Mail stamps, commemorating a variety of British comics (including Eagle) in the 75th year of publication of Britain’s longest-running comic – The Dandy
‘Visual Memories of Eaglecon 80’ – part 4 of this illustrated series remembering the only London comics convention ever held solely for Eagle enthusiasts
‘Picture cards’ – on the variety of collectable picture cards available in the 1950s, from sources as diverse as weighing machines, sweet and real cigarettes, toothpaste, tea, bubble-gum and comics
‘Dan Dare projected’ – part 2, looking at the various non-projection devices available from manufacturers in the 1950s, by which ‘Dan Dare’ and other film strips could be viewed.
‘Eagle Holiday Extra‘ – a look at one (of only two) holiday special issues of Eagle that appeared in the 1960s. This one, comprising 48 pages, was from 1962.
‘Nando Tacconi’ – an appreciation of the man and artist, best known in Britain for his illustration of Charles Chilton’s ‘Journey into Space’ for Express Weekly
‘Eaglewall’s Table Top Navy‘ – a review of the book by Donald D. Hood about the Dorking-based firm that produced plastic models under the Eagle logo.
A PC49 Radio script: ‘The Case of the Haunting Refrain’, reproducing an Alan Stranks written performance script, part 2
‘Dan Dare’s castlist’ – a reader’s “dream team” for a Dan Dare film, compiled from actors of the silver screen, both living and deceased.

• For more information and to find out how to subscribe visit the Eagle Times blog

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.