ROD BARZILAY

We were sorry to read of the death of Rod Barzilay, who passed away in August. Rod was a founder member of the EAGLE Society. He nurtured a long time ambition to produce a new 'Dan Dare' story in the style of the original, which he finally achieved at personal expense, writing a story himself set in the 'Sargasso Sea of Space' featured in the 'Dan Dare' story 'Reign of the Robots'. He engaged the services of former 'Dan Dare' artist Keith Watson, who sadly died after completing preliminary artwork and the first episode of the strip, which was called 'The Phoenix Mission'. Rod then engaged Don Harley to complete the ten part adventure, which led into a sequel called 'Green Nemesis'. After Rod struggled to find a publisher, he eventually decided to publish it himself and did so in a new high quality full colour publication called Spaceship Away! which began in 2003, a decade after Keith Watson had completed the first episode. Spaceship Away! also carries other science fiction strips and features. Charles Chilton's 'Journey Into Space' strips from Express Weekly were reprinted there. 

Don Harley also worked on 'Green Nemesis', but other commissions delayed him, so Tim Booth, an Irish artist who had submitted a new 'Dan Dare' strip of his own to Spaceship Away! helped to complete it. The strips copy the format from the original EAGLE, with each episode being set out as the first and second pages of the weekly, carrying the red title block with the flying eagle. I met Rod on several occasions during the many years he was working on the story and having heard about all the problems and setbacks he suffered, I never believed it would be completed and see the light of day, but it did and in Spaceship Away! which is now produced by Des Shaw, his dream and legacy live on. Rest in peace Rod and thank you for your perseverance and determination.     

EAGLE TIMES Vol. 37 No.3 Autumn 2024

The latest EAGLE Times includes articles on the strip stories 'Riders of the Range', 'Danger Unlimited' and 'Lincoln of America'. There are also features on 'The Royal Oak Tragedy' in the Second World War and the Post war American artist Marie Severin. My latest Archie Berkeley-Willoughby adventure is 'The Case of the Big Bang Theory'. The issue also includes short pieces about Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7, the art of Roy Cross, a Collector's Corner, an EAGLE Queries page, an 'In and Out of the EAGLE' page and an EAGLE Mastermind Quiz. Finally there is a tribute to our late member Ron French. The contributors to this issue are David Britton, Eric Summers, Darren Evans, David Gould, Jim Duckett and myself.

IN AND OUT OF THE EAGLE 51

There are several books about EAGLE, but only two about Dan Dare's creator Frank Hampson. These are The Man Who Drew Tomorrow, published in 1985 and Tomorrow Revisited, published in 2010. Both books were written by Alastair Crompton, a keen 'Dan Dare' enthusiast and member of the EAGLE Society. The books are both highly illustrated, with many pictures reproduced from original artwork. Despite its quality and detail, Alastair wanted to improve on his first biography and produce a definitive book about Frank Hampson and his work. This resulted in Tomorrow Revisited. Both books are well worth  reading. Alastair, who worked for many years as an advertising copywriter, sadly died in 2019. 

    
 

EAGLE TIMES VOL. 37 No. 2 Summer 2024

 

The new EAGLE Times is out now. It features a report on our recent Gathering in Cardiff and a range of other articles, including pieces about 'Storm Nelson', the first 'Dan Dare' stage play and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway. Details of how to buy a copy are printed on the right and full contents are listed below:

• Keep Young and Beautiful
The text of Steve Winders’ address to the Eagle Society at the Cardiff Gathering in 2024.

• Railway Wonders: The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway by David Britton
2027 marks the 100th anniversary of the line and the article recalls the 1954 Eagle feature and looks at the line today. 

• These are a Few of my Favourite Things by David Gould
An article about some of the best parts of Eagle, including the strip, “Dan Dare – The Red Moon Mystery”. 

• Eagle Society Annual Gathering – Cardiff 2024
A report by Reg Hoare on the successful Gathering, which included excellent talks by Mike Collins and David Roach. 

• Talking Up a Storm, Again, by David Britton
A look back at Eagle’s often overlooked sea adventurer and the artists who drew the strip.

• The Half Moon Mystery
Steve Winders reports on a ‘Dan Dare’ play performed in London in 1972 and tells the story of the people who staged it and their remarkable theatre.

• The Case of the Shivering Samaritan Part Two
An Adventure of Archie Berkley-Willoughby of Scotland Yard by Steve Winders, in which Archie meets the Samaritans' founder and EAGLE contributor Chad Varah.

• Letters page

HARRY LINDFIELD

We have just learned that Harry Lindfield, who drew the 'Mark Question' strip in EAGLE, which ran from 1957 - 58 and was partly reprinted as 'Mark Mystery' in 1968, has sadly died at the age of ninety one. Harry also contributed to EAGLE's companion papers Girl and Swift, drawing the popular 'Belle of the Ballet' strip for Girl. He later illustrated 'Star Trek' for Joe 90 and then TV 21 weeklies, 'The Monkees' for Lady Penelope weekly and 'Doctor Who' for Countdown and TV Action weeklies. He was highly regarded by readers and other artists. Lew Stringer described him as "A quality artist who always produced top class work," and David Roach said "It takes real skill to draw figures as naturalistically as this and he must surely be one of our finest comic artists." By popular demand, his 'Star Trek' work has recently been published again in a collection. We send our condolences to Harry's family and friends.  

ROY CROSS 23rd April 1924 - 24th April 2024

I'm sorry to report that Roy Cross, the EAGLE and Airfix artist and accomplished painter of sailing ships has died, the day after his hundredth birthday. Scroll down to read our tribute to his distinguished career, which was posted on his birthday. Our condolences to his family and friends. 

JON HAWARD (1965 - 2024)

We are sorry to report the death of Jon Haward at the early age of fifty eight, after a long period of ill health. Jon illustrated several 'Dan Dare' serials for the second version of EAGLE in 1990 and 1991, alternating with David Pugh. He also drew two 'Dan Dare' strips for the 1992 EAGLE Yearbook and a further strip for a Dan Dare Holiday Special. He subsequently worked on 'Spiderman', 'Judge Dredd', 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', 'Biker Mice From Mars', 'Tales of Telguuth' and 'Sinister Dexter', among others. With the writer Alan Grant he created 'The Hell Crew' and 'Tales of the Buddha'. He also illustrated strip adaptations of the Shakespeare plays Hamlet and The Tempest. He created designs for computer games and theme park rides and illustrated children's books, joke books, card and board games and story boards for films.     

The first page of one of Jon's strips for the 1992 EAGLE Yearbook.