Fans of 2000AD artist John M. Burns are in for a treat with the release of the latest issue of the Dan Dare-inspired anthology magazine, Spaceship Away. Not only does his art feature on both the front and back cover of Issue 59, but there’s a short, classic “Dare” sample strip commanding its centre pages, too – and he’s also interviewed this issue.
Originally created by Rod Barzilay, Spaceship Away is now designed, produced and edited by Des Shaw, and this issue is a gem, offering four strips, a tribute to EAGLE artist and colourist Joan Porter, and more.
The cover art is adapted from art by John previously featured as a centrespread in Issue 19, which is available only as a reprint, direct from Spaceship Away.
This issue’s strips open with the first four pages of a Dan Dare story titled “The Corium Experiment“, starring Dan, Albert Digby and Professor Peabody, which was originally published as “Digby the Guinea Pig” in the Dan Dare Spacebook in 1953, in black and white, the first page drawn by Frank Hampson, the rest by Desmond Walduck.
The strip was recoloured and coloured by John Ridgway some years ago, who tells downthetubes he also coloured “Dan and Donanza“, drawn by Frank Hampson, from the same publication, for intended use in Spaceship Away. Both strips have previously been reprinted in the Dan Dare Dossier.
We’re also presented with the continuation of the Jeff Hawke adventure, “The Comet’s Tale“, in colour.
The centrespread is the first page of “Old Times Sake“, a Dan Dare sample strip featuring artwork by John M. Burns scripted by 1960s Dan Dare writer, David Motton. The strip, we’re told, is one of those rarities where the words followed the creation of the art.
Nick Hazard, Interstellar Agent is back this issue, too, in another episode of the story “Invaders from Time“, written by Philip Harbottle, with art by Ron Turner, coloured by Martin Baines; and we’re also treated to another episode of “Target Earth” by Gordon Coombs, with art by Harry Winslade, first published in Express Weekly.
Alongside the interview with John M. Burns, Andrew Darlington provides a fascinating article on “The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire“, and there’s a smashing tribute to the Joan Porter, artist, photographer, researcher and invaluable backbone of the original Dan Dare Bakehouse studio team, who, as we previously reported, passed away last year, aged 96.
This splendid issue rounds off with the latest “Space Review“, researched and written by Ray Wright, and a tantalising back cover offering a new look for Dan Dare and company in the 21st Century, drawn by John M. Burns.
This is a great issue of this long-running comics magazine, available to order soon direct from the publisher.
• Order Spaceship Away on subscription – and back issues, too – from the magazine’s web site here
WEB LINKS
• John M Burns Art Facebook Group
• Jeff Hawke – www.jeffhawke.com
• Bear Alley – Steve Holland’s profile of artist Harry Winslade
A fantastic piece of detective work about the comic creator from Steve Holland, whose credits also included illustrations for the Eagle, “The Brainy B’s” for Zip and the “Battle Brothers” for Express Weekly, as well as working on various boys and girls titles for DC Thomson
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: British Comics, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Magazines
Happy New Year! Pre-orders open for Vworp Vworp! #5, the premiere Doctor Who fanzine