To co-incide with the 65th anniversary of seminal British picture strip weekly, Eagle, the British Interplanetary Society held a one day conference on Tuesday 14th April 2015 entitled ‘Yesterday’s Tomorrow’. Richard Sheaf reports… A packed programme introduced by the… Read More ›
Dan Dare
Swift Comic’s Junior Dan Dare
The original Dan Dare series, now called Voyage To Venus, began in the first issue of Eagle comic 65 years ago this month. The strip ran weekly in Eagle until 1967 after which it went to reprint. The character has… Read More ›
Spaceship Away 35 Launched, featuring two “Dan Dare” tales and more
Notching up an impressive 35th issue, the latest 40-page issue of the Dan Dare-inpsired Spaceship Away is on sale now, available on subscription or as a single issue from the title’s official web site. This latest magazine – offering… Read More ›
ComPalComics offers Dalek Playsuit, Dandy Number One in latest auction
The latest Compalcomics March catalogue closes on on Sunday 8th March 2015 starting at 2.00pm, featuring a huge number of both early and modern Dandy comics, artwork including “Oor Wullie” and various IPC/Fleetway covers – and a rare Dalek Playsuit!… Read More ›
British Interplanetary Society to celebrate the Eagle comic and the launch of the career of Dan Dare
On the 14th April 1950, a generation of spotty kids, some of which would become major players in British aerospace business, picked up an imposing colourful and authoritative weekly magazine (masquerading as a comic) which had been especially designed… Read More ›
Dan Dare art and memorabilia part of permanent new exhibit in Southport, Frank Hampson’s home town
A new museum in Southport features a permanent display of some Dan Dare art by his creator, Frank Hampson along with other Eagle memorabilia, helping to mark the comic’s 65th year since first publication. The Atkinson is Southport’s new home for music,… Read More ›
Commando and Dan Dare artist Keith Page joins Birmingham Comics Festival guest list
The Birmingham Comics Festival claims another victory in its battle to ensure a great day out for all takes place by announcing Keith Page, veteran artist on over 200 issues of Commando, will be attending the show on Saturday… Read More ›
Rian Hughes releases 112 Hours, New Font Collection
Out now from artist and font designer Rian Hughes self-publishes a number of books and he’s recently released the well-received 112 Hours, his fifteenth collection of fonts. Rian is best known in the comics industry at present for his work for US… Read More ›
Eagle Times Volume 27, Number Four
The latest issue of Eagle Times is available now from the Eagle Society. Winter 2014 Contents ‘Ron Embleton – Master of line drawing’ – a focus on the black and white illustration work of this renowned artist, who drew in… Read More ›
In Review: Spaceship Away 34
The latest issue of the Eagle-inspired Spaceship Away, available now, comes with another great cover from veteran artist Don Harley inspired by the original “Dan Dare” tale “The Ship that Lived”, and includes a great bonus Christmas gift – a 24-page “Dan… Read More ›
Dan Dare: The Lost 2000AD Story
Earlier this month we reported that Rebellion, the publishers of 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine, had announced collections of the “Dan Dare” stories published in early editions of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, with the first of a two-volume series set to be published in autumn 2015. We also… Read More ›
First ever British comic and original ‘Tornado’ logo in new Compalcomics auction
The latest Compalcomics comic auction has just begun, offering its usual cracking offerings of British comics and artwork from days gone by – a wonderful selection of high grade and rare comics, artwork and merchandise. … Read More ›
Radio Luxembourg Dan Dare Music Find
Regular readers of downthetubes will recall we have featured news items on the The Adventures of Dan Dare radio show produced for Radio Luxembourg on numerous occasions, and that as far as we know, only two episodes of this much sought-after series… Read More ›
2000AD incarnation of Dan Dare to be reprinted at last
Rebellion, the publishers of 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine, have announced collections of the “Dan Dare” stories published in early editions of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic. The company says it is planning to release the first of a two-volume series in autumn… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2014: Rian Hughes
In the run up to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival (17th – 19th October), we’re aiming to run a number of interviews spotlighting at least a few of the huge number of guests and comic creators who will be at the event,… Read More ›
Dan Dare, Eagle, Beano, Thunderbirds and TV21 gems in latest ComPal auction
Two gorgeous Don Harley-created Dan Dare sketches, rare Beano and Dandy issues from World War Two and plenty of Fleetway Picture Library items are just a few of the lots in the September ComPal comic auction, which has just… Read More ›
Eagle Times documents “Lost Eagle” project featuring art by Bellamy, Colquhoun
The current Eagle Times, available now, features downthetubes contributor Jeremy Briggs’ latest piece on Lost Eagle – the aborted 1973 re-launch of Eagle comic with painted Dan Dare artwork by Frank Bellamy and Joe Colquhoun. Jane Colquhoun, Joe’s daughter, provided much… Read More ›
Spaceship Away sings for new sales (sort of)
The latest issue of the Dan Dare-inspired Spaceship Away (Issue 33) includes a great free gift – a “How to Speak Mercurian” booklet, attributed to Dan Dare’s top scientist, Jocelyn Peabody. Dan Dare fans will recall the strip’s Mercurians sang rather… Read More ›
First issue feast, Odhams titles and girls comics among ComPal auction’s latest offerings
ComPal has just announced the lots for its May/June comics auction, which features what are likely to be some sought after lots of British comic first editions, artwork from The Eagle, 2000AD and TV Century 21 – and plenty… Read More ›
British Pathe bring rare “Dan Dare” footage to YouTube
British Pathe have released some of their archive footage on YouTube, including a rare behind the scenes insight into the creation of the original Dan Dare strip for Eagle. The film is also available on British Pathe’s web site but… Read More ›