Ministry of Space

 

By Warren Ellis, Chris Weston & Laura Martin (Titan Books)
ISBN 1-84023-924-7

This thematic and – artistically at least – stylistic revisitation of the glory days of British comic icon Dan Dare explores what might have happened if the ravaged and near bankrupt post-war Empire had captured those Nazi rocket scientists rather than the Soviets and Americans. By examining the rise of the UK Space Force and its ruthless creator Sir John Dashwood through the lens of post-Thatcherite cynicism, Ellis and Weston create a telling fable of patriotism and lost chances.

This is a sharp tale crisply told, and should be entertaining to long time comic readers and newcomers alike. In fact, no one but the most intransigent Dare fanatic or spandex junkie could find fault. I especially like the paper friendly, futuristic cover (is that Tyvek plastic? I’d love to know!).

© 2005 Warren Ellis & Chris Weston. All rights reserved.