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By Frank Hampson (Titan Books)
ISBN 1-84023-809-7
This volume of the adventures of Britain’s greatest star-farer sees Dan and his trusty crew sent to the fifth planet to investigate the origins of the mysterious, marauding “Black Catsâ€, tiny probes that bore through anything and have a nasty habit of exploding if approached. It’s danger as usual as the team discover new, exotic civilisations, and old passions among their own ranks as they bring with them a villain as nefarious as the aliens they encounter.
These stories are genuinely timeless classics of adventure, suitable for all ages and wonderfully free of the hyperbolic angst that permeates today’s entertainments. Long-time aficionados are well served by the added text features which this time include not only another lavishly illustrated interview with creator Frank Hampson, but also the Secret History of Dan Dare by Wallis Rigby. The star introduction this time around is from Phillip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials.
The strips first ran from February to October 1953, and rounding out the magnificent comic reading experience is a short complete thriller “The Double-Headed Eagle†reprinted from the Eagle Annual. The standard of art and story that was typical of Dan Dare has seldom been equalled, never surpassed and nothing has ever beaten it for longevity, vitality and sheer unwavering quality.
© 2005 Dan Dare Corporation, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.