Comics UK

Maybe this is old news but just read on the net that Rebellion is going to reprint 2000AD's DD as hard covered graphic novels.

Though I have all the issues containing his adventures, it should be great to collect them in book format - especially his adventures in the Lost Worlds.

Having never read the early Dan Dare strips from the old Eagle, my first introduction was with 2000ad; I wasn't impressed. Looking back, it seems that the strip was forced and never gained a following that was expected. In the early days of 2000 ad, it seemed that MACH One and Dan Dare were the strips that would drive on 2000 ad but, of course, Judge Dredd very quickly put them in their place. Within 65 or so issues, MACH One was killed off and, not much more than a year later, Dan Dare ended and was left in limbo. Even so far back, 2000 ad was maturing beyond the general boy's comic.

I rate DDs first adventure against the Biogs as one of 2000ADs greatest ever tales. Only with the Cosmic Claw did the stories become poor IMHO.

Fast forward 35 years and 2000 ad is still going along with Judge Dredd. Dan Dare never made a comeback, apart from the short-lived Revolver. As Marvel says: "nuff said".

geoff42 wrote:Fast forward 35 years and 2000 ad is still going along with Judge Dredd. Dan Dare never made a comeback, apart from the short-lived Revolver. As Marvel says: "nuff said".

Dan Dare has had several comebacks, (remember new Eagle?) and even had his own short lived comic. New stories have also been appearing in Spaceship Away for the last several years.

One reason he wasn't revived for 2000AD (apart from him not being suited to their older direction) is that Rebellion don't own the character, but the announced reprint books have been done with arrangement with the copyright holders.

Totally agree with Lew (and would add in the cartoon which I enjoyed) but what's your point geoff42? That, because Dredd is more popular, I'm lying about enjoying the Biogs story? I shouldn't base my opinions on what I like but what other people prefer? I take it then you rate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles above 2000AD?

Or that popularity = quality? In that case, I'm guessing your tuned to the X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing come a Saturday evening. Mind you, British Bake-Off beats them all. Certainly more than Day of the Triffids or wildlife/history programmes on BBC4, so must be better.

You must be overjoyed Ben Haenow made Xmas No.1. Not because you like it but it's sold more therefore must be the best song around?

Excelsior!

To me, Dan Dare the Space Hyper Hero and Dan Dare the Pilot of the Future were completely different characters with their particular strengths and weaknesses.

I loved both of them.

The new Eagle's version (Tully/Pugh) was good as it gave a modern look to the 1950s original with comparable artwork (David's and Keith Watson's). I thought it was a fine tribute.

I got both Virgin's and Revolver's versions and TBH, though the stories were okay, I never really liked their Dan Dares.

The Pilot of the Future will always be my Dad's as he read it as a teenager just as the Space Hyper Hero will be my version.

starscape, I don't possess a tv, so your presumption as regards "strictly" and such is way off scale. I haven't seen the Ninja Turtle films, never mind read the comics. Obviously, I'm ignorant of Dan Dare's history but certainly not about Judge Dredd's, chin-chin

hi, lew, I believe (from memory) Egmont took over Fleetway/IPC in the mid-nineties and, some years later, Rebellion took command. Dan Dare last appeared in 2000 ad in either late '79 or early 1980 at which time the publication was still aimed at a readership far less juvenile than its mature audience from the nineties and beyond. So, I can't see your argument from your previous post as regards why Dan Dare never reappeared in 2000 ad.

geoff42 wrote:hi, lew, I believe (from memory) Egmont took over Fleetway/IPC in the mid-nineties and, some years later, Rebellion took command. Dan Dare last appeared in 2000 ad in either late '79 or early 1980 at which time the publication was still aimed at a readership far less juvenile than its mature audience from the nineties and beyond. So, I can't see your argument from your previous post as regards why Dan Dare never reappeared in 2000 ad.

Because he was being used in Eagle in the 1980s, as I said. By the time Eagle was finished, 2000AD wasn't a suitable place for the character to return to. Plus I suspect the editors of 2000 simply weren't interested after all those years. Later, the character was sold to the Dan Dare Corporation so it wasn't available for 2000AD even if they'd wanted it.

fair enough, Lew, I accept that. Have a good xmas

by the way, Lew, did the "new" Eagle do a good "job" on Dan Dare? The "new" Eagle is still a collection that is down on my list to collect. I will get there... still stuck in the late seventies as regards collecting... my bedroom is losing floor space by the month... I feel that a mansion is in order

geoff42 wrote:by the way, Lew, did the "new" Eagle do a good "job" on Dan Dare? The "new" Eagle is still a collection that is down on my list to collect. I will get there... still stuck in the late seventies as regards collecting... my bedroom is losing floor space by the month... I feel that a mansion is in order

It was ok. Some nice artwork at least. Scripts were typical entertaining fare for the 1980s. I think it started out with the grandson of the original Dan Dare but later brought back the original.

geoff42 wrote:by the way, Lew, did the "new" Eagle do a good "job" on Dan Dare? The "new" Eagle is still a collection that is down on my list to collect. I will get there... still stuck in the late seventies as regards collecting... my bedroom is losing floor space by the month... I feel that a mansion is in order

As Ian Kennedy did a decent run on it, it is on my list of buy it sometime. And there are some really good stories in there like Tower King, Death Wish, Computer Warrior and MACH One reprints amongst others.

colcool007 wrote:

geoff42 wrote:by the way, Lew, did the "new" Eagle do a good "job" on Dan Dare? The "new" Eagle is still a collection that is down on my list to collect. I will get there... still stuck in the late seventies as regards collecting... my bedroom is losing floor space by the month... I feel that a mansion is in order

As Ian Kennedy did a decent run on it, it is on my list of buy it sometime. And there are some really good stories in there like Tower King, Death Wish, Computer Warrior and MACH One reprints amongst others.

Yes, new Eagle had some good material. In case any members here were not aware of it, Tower King has been collected along with a few other 1980s classics. Well worth buying:
http://www.comicsy.co.uk/hibernia/