Dan Dare: Marooned on Mercury

Dan Dare: Marooned on Mercury 

By Frank Hampson (Titan Books)
ISBN 1-84023-847-X

Volume four of Titan’s high quality hardback reprints finds Dare and crew crashed on of Mercury after saving the Earth from the ravages of the Red Moon Menace. With breakneck rapidity (these stories were originally published at two pages per week, remember, so there’s no hanging about) they encounter the indigenous rock creatures and discover where the monstrous Mekon has been skulking since his last defeat.

The stories are clear-cut but engrossing with solid, comfortable, archetypical characterisations and the artwork, as Hampson and his team hit their creative peak is an absolute joy to behold. Nobody with a Sense of Wonder should be denied this stuff!

The extras include the continuation of an interview with Frank Hampson and a fascinating article discussing the retail market for his artwork, both lavishly illustrated, plus a Dan Dare Checklist and character profiles of the cast. These books can’t come out fast enough for my tastes.

© 2005 Dan Dare Corporation Ltd. All Rights Reserved.