We’re sorry to report the passing of author Dave “Dean Rogers”, best known for his work documenting the history of TV’s The Avengers series. He was 87, and had been ill for some time, battling cancer. He passed shortly after the death of his wife, Celia.
A singer turned writer, Dave, who I first met at a Chicago convention organised by Howard Lee in the 1990s, is probably a name largely unknown outside The Avengers fandom, but his work documenting this one cult TV show across several decades was groundbreaking and his dedication to the series possibly unmatched.
A trailblazer in the field of documenting the history of cult TV, he wrote numerous books on The Avengers, as well running the On Target and Stay Tuned fanzines.
The author of The Complete Avengers, published in 1989, much of his early writings have been collected in two Stay Tuned charity collections.
He also wrote the seminal The ITV Adventure Encyclopaedia, first published in 1988, and The Prisoner and Danger Man, about both series in the early 1990s; and guides to other classic TV including Stingray, Thunderbirds, The Professionals, and more.
As Mark Witherspoon of Stay Tuned at The Avengers noted this weekend, “Dave’s legacy on The Avengers is immense, and we probably wouldn’t have the series so fondly remembered or looking so good today if it wasnt for Dave’s involvement back then. His dedication to the series in his books and fanzines is unprecedented. Dave had a great integrity about him and always wanted to make sure the right people got their say, it was factual and they were given their time to shine.
“Incredibly Dave and his wife “C” discovered the print of The Frightners on one of their regular Elstree visits back in the 1980s.”
“It was only recently I became friends with Dave (during lockdown) when I contacted him about republishing some of his On Target and Stay Tuned issues into a hardback book, he was enthusiastic and lovely to work with.
“We never met in person but would have many chats and emails, he would quite often say he had been up in the loft and found a new little something and would scan or send it to me in the post to be added in to the book. He was delighted the books were very well received and made decent money for our chosen charity.
“We last spoke a couple of weeks ago and he had just finished up a piece of work on a future Avengers project that we will find out more details on soon. Great to know that even at the end he still had a passion for The Avengers.”
“I knew Dave for 30 years, both very personally and professionally,” says artist Pete Wallbank. “We worked on many Avengers type things together over the years, him as editor/writer/publisher and me as Designer/illustrator.
“It was more than that though. He was like the Dad I never had, always interested in my life, family and my hopes! It was a friendship that endured the highs and lows… I’m so very sad we’ve lost him, I shall miss him greatly.”
While some of Dave’s early research has, admittedly, since been superceded by later researchers with wider access to official records and paperwork, there’s no disputing he was an important pioneer in the field of researching the history of TV production.
In particular, the interviews he conducted with The Avengers stars he conducted are vital testimony in charting the show’s history, and his dedication was admired by both fans and many who worked in the show.
My contacts with Dave were professional rather than personal, but I found him determined, dedicated but genuinely enthused by his interest, a true “fan” of the show to which he dedicated so much of his energies. I’m sure he will be much missed.
Our sympathies to family and friends at this difficult time. Our thanks to him for keeping The Avengers shining.
Dave “Dean” Rogers, born 15th February 1938, died July 2025
My thanks to Pete Wallbank for informing us of Dave’s passing
The Stay Tuned Collections
• Stay Tuned To The Avengers by Dave Rogers and Mark Witherspoon
The ultimate Avengers fan book reprinting the very best of The Avengers fanzines originally published by Dave Rogers. This hardback 244 page edition features interviews with all of the main cast of The Avengers, Patrick Macnee, Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg, Linda Thorson, Patrick Newell, Cyd Child and many more. Also features new illustrations and an all new interview with Dave Rogers and afterword by Sam Clemens. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the children’s charity Holding On Letting Go.
• Stay Tuned To The Avengers Volume Two by Dave Rogers and Mark Witherspoon
This second hardback 250 page edition features interviews with many cast members of The Avengers, Patrick Macnee, Honor Blackman, Linda Thorson, Joanna Lumley, Gareth Hunt, Alun Hughes, Brian Clemens and many more. Also features new illustrations and an all new interview with Dave Rogers and afterword by Raymond Austin. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the children’s charity Holding On Letting Go.
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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: Books, downthetubes News, Features, Magazines, Obituaries, Other Worlds, Television
I am sure that many many Avengers fans owe Dave a huge debt for kindling their nascent fandom with his brilliant magazines and pioneering books, lifting the cloak of time to delve into so many areas which were complete mysteries to us beyond the short-lived images on our screens.
I have him to thank for opening the door to archive television in general, and such a wealth of acting, writing and production talent. And getting to know other enthusiastic fans, so I no longer felt I was the only person in the world who remembered The Avengers! The pre-internet world seems like another dimension sometimes.
Dave’s energy and commitment in keeping the past alive – and very much in the present – can never be overstated.
Rest in peace. A true Avengers’ mastermind, and not in the least diabolical!