A panel from Dan Dare: Prisoners of Space recently used by the Daily Telegraph |
(with thanks to Tony O’Sullivan): It looks like there is treat in store for Eagle fans just before Christmas. BBC Radio 4 will be broadcasting “Eagle: The Space Age Weekly” on Thursday 23rd December at 11. 30am.
In the show, Tim Rice explores the lasting appeal of the Eagle that as downthetubes readers well know, ran in two main incarnations between 1950 and 1994. He touches on the impact of its flagship character Dan Dare, regarded by some as the greatest British sci-fi hero of the 20th century, and the life of its creator Marcus Morris, who initiated it in reaction to”horrific” US comics with their “disturbing” storylines. (The programme notes, for example, how Dan Dare was originally envisaged as a space chaplain before becoming the popular astronaut).
It also examines the work of illustrator Frank Hampson, who introduced technology years ahead of its time, arguing he knew the space age was on its way while serving in the Second World War. He made the Dan Dare strips as realistic as possible by dressing his team in spacesuits and uniforms, basing the look of the fictional characters on his colleagues.
The programme also reveals the stories’ educational value and, along with Dan Dare, looks at other Eagle offerings which ran as comic strips.
The show will include contributions from author Philip Pullman and Morris’s daughter Sally, who wrote Living with Eagles, a biography of her father’s life, back in 1998, which was published by Lutterworth Press – and Eagle Society member David Britton.
Sir Tim Rice is of course a lifelong Eagle fan and introduced the Titan Books collection of Dan Dare: Prisoners in Space.
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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
Anyone interested in this show might want to check out ‘The Harpoon’ on BBC Radio 7, a spoof on a certain well known comic.
The overall tone of the programme is broadcast in a 1950’s feel, with clipped pronunciation and 50’s terminology. You hear each page actually turn with the next installment of each adventure strip – and listen to the small box adverts residing at the bottom of some pages advertising impossible penknives, fishing gear, rayguns etc.
Programme info here:
on the BBC Radio 4 extra site