Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, returns! First published in classic British comic TheEagle, these are the original space adventures of one of Britain's best-loved characters.

When two new cadets accidentally set out for Space Station XQY — scene of a number of mysterious spaceship disappearances — they are captured by the evil Mekon... and Dan Dare bravely sets out alone to save them!

This volume also includes an introduction by Evita lyricist and Dare fan, Sir Tim Rice, plus a feature on Frank Hampson's studio!

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. Along with illustrations by Desmond Walduck, Dan Dare’s adventures look just as vibrant and thrilling today as they did on their original debut in the 1950s. Collected in this volume are the original stories from The Eagle’s comic strip run. This volume features a special introduction by Sir Tim Rice, a character guide, a story checklist and an article on Frank Hampson’s working methods.

Join the courageous Dan Dare and his friends Digby, Professor Peabody, Hank, Sir Hubert, Pierre, Sondar and Volstar in a series of fantastic, exciting adventures. In Prisoners of Space two new cadets Steve Valiant and ‘Flamer’ Spry accidentally set a course for Space Station XQY, a part of space where a number of spaceships have gone missing. But the cadets have been captured by the evil Mekon and now they’re missing! Dan Dare gallantly sets out to rescue them only to find out about The Mekon’s latest plot to not only re-conquer Venus but also Earth. Can our hero Dan, Digby and two inexperienced cadets save both planets from The Mekon or will the evil villain finally triumph? Another 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.

“Frank Hampson’s stories for Dan Dare were a great stimulus to my imagination and helped enormously to while away the days spent growing up in Sheffield” – Michael Palin

“The stories are engaging, the artwork beautiful and the colour vibrant.” – Sci-Fi Online

“Frank Hampson’s Dan Dare is the most thrilling and accomplished work ever published in the comics form in Britain.” – Philip Pullman

Classics · Dan Dare
Volume 5 in the series · Collects Eagle Vol. 5 #22 ? Vol. 6 #18