Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, returns! First published in classic British comic The Eagle, these are the original adventures of one of Britain's best-loved characters. In the first part of this rip-snorting story, Dan and his crew travel to Venus, hoping to find new resources to feed a starving Earth. But the planet is already the lair of the pint-sized megalomaniac, The Mekon, who has his own plans to conquer Earth! This first volume includes rarely seen art pages, an in-depth introduction to Dan Dare,and a new foreword by Dave Gibbons (Watchmen).

The Pilot of the Future has returned! From the pages of British adventure comic The Eagle comes the phenomenon that is Dan Dare! Frank Hampson’s legendary 1950s creation blasts back in a collection of retro adventures reprinted here in new Collectors’ Library volumes. Featuring writer-artist Frank Hampson’s beautiful full colour artwork, Dan Dare’s adventures look just as vibrant and thrilling today as they did on their original debut in April 1950. Collected in this volume are tales from the very beginning of The Eagle’s comic strip run. This first volume features a special introduction by Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons, a character guide, a feature on the genesis of Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future, a story checklist along with rare illustrated artwork and merchandise.

Join the courageous Dan Dare and his friends Digby, Professor Peabody, Hank, Sir Hubert, Pierre, Sondar and Volstar as they battle the evil Mekon in a series of fantastic, exciting adventures. In Voyage to Venus Part 1 Dan and his crew travel to Venus, searching for new resources to feed a starving Earth. Unfortunately for our heroes the planet is already under the control of The Mekon who would like nothing better than to conquer our planet Earth. Only Dan Dare can save the day. A collection of stunning, retro science-fiction tales that will appeal to old fans, newcomers and adventurers alike!

Frank Hampson was the creator, writer and artist for Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future. It became a British phenomenon with merchandising that included everything from stamps to sweet cigarettes, merchandising that continues today. Dan Dare continued as an ongoing series up until 1996, although Hampson was only involved in the early years of the comic strip and died in 1985. Overshadowed by his success on Dan Dare, Hampson also illustrated a number of children’s books for Ladybird. While the comic has finished as a continuing series, Dan Dare lives on in the memories of those who read it back in the 1950s as well as in the continuing merchandise and the 2002 CGI TV series.

“A potent brew of adventure, humour, fantasy, futurism and just plain fun.” – Dave Gibbons, Watchmen

“Frank Hampson is one of the unsung geniuses of the Twentieth Century.” – Terry Jones

“Dan Dare, Modesty Blaise and the James Bond strip are as compelling and readable today as they were on first publication. Dan Dare, for example, is a beautifully rendered piece of comics art”
– Comics International

Classics · Dan Dare
Volume 1 in the series · Contains Eagle Vol 1 #1 to Vol 1 #40