Eagle Times Vol 25 No 4

Winter 2012 Contents

Eagle Times - Our 100th Issue

• 'PC49 and the Case of the Christmas Ornament' - a seasonal short-story featuring radio's (and Eagle's) police hero, from the radio stories by Alan Stranks
• 'Christmas Customs from Hulton Press' shows how Eagle and Girl magazines presented the traditions of Christmas in strip form in 1955 and 1953, respectively'
• It Wouldn't be Christmas . . .' revisits an article in the first Eagle Annual, in which Chad Varah told of the origins of some of the familiar Christmas Customs
• 'Starring Bayford Lodge', takes a look at how Frank Hampson used locations in his own home and, sometimes, members of his own family in his art, with examples from some of his post-Eagle work
• 'A Look at Luck' - part 6, concludes an examination of the French Foreign Legion strip by Geoffrey Bond and Martin Aitchison, which ran in Eagle from 1952 - 1961
• A PC49 radio script: 'The Case of the Haunting Refrain', reproduces the final part of an Alan Stranks-written performance script
• 'From Under the 1950s Christmas Tree, Eagle Bagatelles' - a seasonal look at 1950s pin-ball games from the makers Chad Valley and Mettoy, featuring 'Dan Dare' and 'Riders of the Range'
• ''Eagle Summer Special (1966)' - a (not so seasonal!) review of the second (of two) Eagle holiday special issues that appeared in the 1960s 
• 'Dan Dare Projected, Part 3: The Films' - this final part looks at the many 'Dan Dare' film strips that were available in the 1950s for use with the viewers and projectors previously described
• Churchill Revisited' - report of a visit to an exhibition held at the J.P. Morgan Library and Museum in NewYork (June - September, 2012), where the recent U.S. reprint edition of Clifford Makins' and Frank Bellamy's Life of Churchill, The Happy Warrior was found in the bookshop
• 'Report on the Eagle Day' provides an illustrated account of the event held at Great Staughton, Cambs, on 23rd September, 2012
• 'Remembering Terra Nova' - has a re-look at the 'Dan Dare' story from 1959 that saw the last 'Dan Dare' work of Frank Hampson and the arrival of Frank Bellamy as lead artist
• 'Rivals of Jeff Arnold - Hopalong Cassidy'. A look at the origin (1904) and development of the character (from the 1930s through the 1950s) in film, radio, television and comics of the fictional cowboy hero, created by Clarence E. Mulford and played on the screen by William Boyd.
• 'Looks Familiar? (Dan's in all but name)' - on the Captain Jet Harrison Space Explorer Space Gun from Retro Toys and Games, and its seeming likeness to the Merit Dan Dare Planet Gun of the 1950s
• 'Writing a Lament' - the writing of a musical accompaniment to 'Lament to a Dead Swan', which, as a 1954 schoolboy's poem, won a prize from Eagle's Special Investigator, Macdonald Hastings
• 'The Intrepid Cowpuncher' discusses the feasibility of Dan Dare being (albeit in the fictional world!) a descendant of Buffalo Bill - as he joked in the 'Red Moon Mystery'

The picture on the cover of this issue is from 'Operation Saturn'. Art by Desmond Walduck (from Eagle, Vol 4 No 38, 24th December 1953). 

The man at the rear of the picture has an obviously intentional resemblance to Dan Dare's creator, Frank Hampson!

Eagle Times Vol 25 No 3

Autumn 2012 Contents

• 'Charles Chilton - the Modest Showman - and Journey into Space'. Inspired by Chilton's recent autobiography, Charlie's Auntie, Alan Vince looks back at his own interest in Chilton's work and an unsuccessful attempt to put together a book on Journey into Space. 
• 'Riders of the Range Photographs' - a reader shares his nostalgia for Charles Chilton's western, which began on BBC radio before appearing as a comic strip in Eagle, in the form of autographed photographs of the cast of the radio series, which he was given as a child in the early 1950s 
• 'A Look at Luck' - part 5 of a series examining the French Foreign Legion strip by Geoffrey Bond and Martin Aitchison, which ran in Eagle from 1952 - 1961
• 'Susan Travers' - the first, and only, female to serve officially, in the the French Foreign Legion.
• 'Royal Mail Comics Stamps' - a look at the recent (March 2012) issue of Royal Mail stamps, commemorating a variety of British comics (including Eagle) in the 75th year of publication of Britain's longest-running comic - The Dandy
• 'Visual Memories of Eaglecon 80' - part 4 of this illustrated series remembering the only London comics convention ever held solely for Eagle enthusiasts
• 'Picture cards' - on the variety of collectable picture cards available in the 1950s, from sources as diverse as weighing machines, sweet and real cigarettes, toothpaste, tea, bubble-gum and comics
• 'Dan Dare projected' - part 2, looking at the various non-projection devices available from manufacturers in the 1950s, by which 'Dan Dare' and other film strips could be viewed.
• 'Eagle Holiday Extra' - a look at one (of only two) holiday special issues of Eagle that appeared in the 1960s. This one, comprising 48 pages, was from 1962.
• 'Nando Tacconi' - an appreciation of the man and artist, best known in Britain for his illustration of Charles Chilton's 'Journey into Space' for Express Weekly 
• 'Eaglewall's Table Top Navy' - a review of the book by Donald D. Hood about the Dorking-based firm that produced plastic models under the Eagle logo.
• A PC49 Radio script: 'The Case of the Haunting Refrain', reproducing an Alan Stranks written performance script, part 2
• 'Dan Dare's castlist' - a reader's "dream team" for a Dan Dare film, compiled from actors of the silver screen, both living and deceased.

This issue's cover photograph of Charles Chilton is from a 1985 issue of Radio Times

Eagle Day

AN EAGLE DAY

The Village Hall

Great Staughton, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire
PE19 5DG

Sunday, 23rd September, 2012 

10.00 - 16.00

Eagle Days were the idea of the late Bob Rothwell. The purpose is to meet with fellow Eaglers and collectors, to chat, swap, buy and sell spare EAGLE and other comic-related items - and generally have a good time.

View Larger Map

The day will include talks on EAGLE-related subjects and a chance to look at displays of EAGLE/comic-related items. Light refreshments will be available. 

Single entry £3 - in advance or pay on the door. 

Bring your spare EAGLE

/comic items. 

Book a table in the hall for £5.

Please address all enquiries including bookings to:

Clive O’Dell, 27, The Highway, Great Staughton, Cambridge, PE19 5DA. 

Telephone 01480 860339

Eagle Times Vol 25 No 2

Summer 2012 Contents

• 'The Hands of Gods' - a look at how three talented artists, Frank Hampson, Ron Embleton and Frank Bellamy each had his own way of drawing hands
• 'A. Bruce Cornwell (1920 - 2012)' - a tribute to the former 'Dan Dare' artist and illustrator who died in March, 2012. (See also the obituary on this blog)
• 'Rivals of Eagle' - the latest in the series takes a look at how Edgar Rice Burrough's jungle hero, Tarzan,  appeared in British comics in the 1950s Tarzan Adventures
• 'The Cutaway that Never Was' - on the absence from Eagle's Cutaway feature of the Gloster Javelin aircraft, which first flew in 1951
• 'A Look at Luck' - part 4 of a series examining the French Foreign Legion strip by Geoffrey Bond and Martin Aitchison, that ran in Eagle from 1952 - 1961
• 'Visual Memories of Eaglecon 80' - part 3 of an illustrated series remembering the only London comics convention ever held solely for Eagle enthusiasts
• 'Advertising in Eagle' - a look at the varied advertisements that apperared in Eagle magazine, including an article advertising Advertising!
• 'Dan Dare projected' - part 1, looking at the various projectors available form manufacturers in the 1950s, by which 'Dan Dare' and related film strips could be viewed.
• A report on the Eagle Society Gathering and Annual Dinner in Southport, 17th - 19th April, 2012
• A PC49 Radio script: 'The Case of the Haunting Refrain', reproducing a performance script from Alan Stranks' BBC radio show, part 1
• 'ABC Film Review' - a list of the various Eagle and Girl-related strips that featured in the ABC cinema chain's magazine in 1952-53
• 'Rivals of Jeff Arnold' - the tenth in this series takes a look at the real-life character Buck Jones and the western comics bearing his name, that appeated in the 1950s
• 'Closing the Circle: Another Odyssey for Dan Dare' - reviewing an article that appeared in the Adelaide students' magazine On Dit in 1969: '2001 revisited, or dissertations upon Dan Dare'
• 'Remembering Safari in Space' - a relook at the Dan Dare story that commenced in Eagle in 1959 

Eagle Times Vol 25 No 1

Spring 2012 Contents

• 'The Roger Dean Experience' - on working in the late 1970s - early 1980s with the founder of Dragon's Dream on the 'Dan Dare' trilogy (The Man From Nowhere, Rogue Planet and Reign of the Robots), and the other Dragon's Dream reprints of Eagle strips, The Road of Courage and High Command 
• The Eagle Cutaways of A. Bruce Cornwell* - a look at some of the 'Dan Dare' artist's other work, focussing on his cutaway drawings
• 'Inside Information By L. Ashwell Wood' - on the final cutaway drawing series produced in Ashwell Wood's productive career, which was published by Benwig Books from 1969 to about 1971 
• 'Leslie Wood in the 1930s' - a look at Wood's illustrations for the 1930s part-works Romance of the Nation and The World of Wonder.
• 'A Look at Luck' - part 3 of a series examining the French Foreign Legion strip by Geoffrey Bond and Martin Aitchison, that ran in Eagle from 1952 - 1961
• 'Dan Dare Figures' (from the 1950s to the present day) - part 2 concludes by taking a look at those produced by Southall/Britains, Mettoy Playthings, Unicorn Miniatures and other manufacturers
• 'Rye - Pugwash's Town' - report of a visit made in 2010 to the home town of Captain Pugwash and Harris Tweed creator, the late John Ryan, describing the exhibits on view at the Rye Castle Museum and at the Rye Art Gallery
• 'PC49 and the Case of the Missing Schoolboy' - Alan Strank's famous radio (and Eagle) police hero features in a newly adapted story
• 'Visual Memories of Eaglecon 80' - part 2 of a series remembering the only London comics convention ever held solely for Eagle enthusiasts
• 'Only Digby was a more committed Follower' - a tribute to the late Eagle Society member and Dan Dare enthusiast, Geoff Provins
• 'Remembering The Ship That Lived' - a re-look at the "filler" 'Dan Dare' story that followed 'Reign of the Robots'
• 'Classics Illustrated and The West' - how the 1950s Classics Illustrated comic treated some of the real-life and fictional characters of the Wild West 
• 'Sky Buccaneers' - an examination of the "air pirate" series which ran in Eagle in 1968, written by Edward Cowan and drawn by José Ortiz

* Note: News of the death of Bruce Cornwell in early March reached us after this issue of Eagle Times went to press.

Voyage to Venus - Michael Shipway

Michael Shipway's Voyage To Venus, published by MSL Music, is an electronic music album inspired by the first 'Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future' story (which began in Eagle No. 1 in 1950). It is available on CD and comes  in a standard CD "jewell" case with a 12-page illustrated booklet.

The 10 tracks mix electronic melodies with selections of dialogue from the BBC's 1990 (40th Anniversary) radio serial adaptation, each track representing a key scene from the story. The music was created by use of hardware synthesizers, with occasional electric guitar. The booklet is illustrated with scenes from the original Eagle cartoon strip.

The tracks are listed below. The links are to samples on the MSL website.

01 Kingfisher listen
02 Mekonta
03 Silicon Mass listen
04 The Jungle
05 The Mekon
06 Turning Blue
07 Submariner listen
08 Kargaz
09 Invasion
10 Victory listen

To read more about the creation of the album you can look here.

While I wouldn't claim that electronic music is my "usual cup of tea" I rather enjoyed it, my £10 investment was far from wasted, and I recommend the album to all fans of 'Dan Dare', but suggest you listen to the samples. If you like what you hear, you can order the full CD from the MSL Music Shop. The album is not available for download (since the booklet is seen as an integral part of the product).

Incidentally, the title Voyage to Venus seems to have been first formally appended to the first 'Dan Dare' story when Titan Books began reprinting the series in 2004. Previously it had been known among fans (variously) as "the first adventure", "the first Venus story" or "the first Venus series". Titan's lead in calling it Voyage to Venus was followed when Orion Publishing produced an audiobook version of the first half of the story in 2008. I understand the CD version of that is no longer available, though it is available as an audio download. A sample can be heard here. (Orion, please note: fans are still waiting for the second half!)

The BBC's 1990 adaptation of the story, by Nick McCarty, has been rebroadcast several times on BBC Radio 7 (since renamed Radio 4 Extra), the most recent being, I believe, in December 2007. It has not been officially released on CD, though unofficial copies can be found on the internet.

Eagle and Dan Dare Commemorated on a Stamp

On 20th March 2012, Eagle and its leading character, Dan Dare, will be featured on one of a set of 1st class postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail. The Comics stamps issue comprising ten designs marks the 75th Anniversary of the first issue (in December 1937) of The Dandy (which is Britain's longest running comic) and some of the comics (and characters) that have since followed, including Eagle and Dan Dare. 

The full set of ten stamps is shown below and includes:

• The Dandy & Desperate Dan. First published by D.C. Thomson in December, 1937, The Dandy featured Desperate Dan from the start although not initially on its cover. 
• The Beano & Dennis the Menace. Also from D.C. Thomson, The Beano first appeared in July, 1938, though Dennis the Menace did not appear until 1951. 
• Eagle & Dan Dare. First published by Hulton Press in 1950, Eagle featured Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, whose full-colour space adventures took off on the cover of the first issue. 
• The Topper & Beryl the Peril. Published by D.C. Thomson from 1953 until 1990, The Topper featured Beryl the Peril from the first issue, although this "female Dennis the Menace" did not reach the cover until 1986.
• Tiger & Roy of the Rovers. Published from 1954 to 1985 by Amalgamated Press/IPC/Fleetway, Tiger featured predominantly sporting strips, the most popular being football hero Roy (Race) of the (Melchester) Rovers, who later spawned his own comic.
• Bunty & The Four Marys. Published by D.C. Thomson from 1958 to 2001, Bunty was aimed at the young female market, and The Four Marys featured the adventures of four girls at boarding school.
• Buster & Buster. Buster  comic was published by IPC/Fleetway from 1960 to 2000. The character who shared the comic's title was originally billed as "Buster: Son of Andy Capp" (of Daily Mirror fame).
• Valiant & The Steel Claw. Valiant was published by IPC/Fleetway from 1962 to 1976, featuring World War II and other adventure series, as well as science fiction strips like the Steel Claw, which featured a scientist who is rendered invisible, apart from his artificial hand.
• Twinkle & Nurse Nancy. Twinkle was published by D.C. Thomson from 1968 to 1999, aimed at young girls. Nurse Nancy ran a toy hospital with her grandfather.
• 2000 AD & Judge Dredd. The long-running 2000 AD is a science fiction-oriented comic, first published in 1977 by IPC (when the year 2000 seemed a long way off!). Judge Dredd, whose powers of law enforcement include those of police, judge and jury plus executioner, made his first appearance in the second issue.

More information on the Royal Mail website

A. Bruce Cornwell - obituary

Centrespread illustration by Bruce Cornwell
Spaceship Away, No. 12, Summer 2007 

Sadly we have heard of the death, on 2nd March 2012, of one of the original artists who worked on the 'Dan Dare' strip, Bruce Cornwell.

Though born in Canada, A. Bruce Cornwell was raised as a child in California, USA, before coming to Europe to study art at Regent Street Polytechnic in London and the Académie Julian in Paris. During the Second World War he served in the British Merchant Navy. After the war he became a maritime artist and freelance illustrator, before joining the staff of Eagle in early 1950.

In an article written for Eagle Times in 1998 Bruce told how he came to work on Eagle, after answering an advertisement in a trade paper, presumably in late 1949. Although used to working solo, he then found himself as part of a team working on 'Dan Dare' with Frank Hampson and the rest of the studio team in the lean-to shed and former bakery which was the original studio in Southport. His main contribution to 'Dan Dare' was not so much on figure work, though he could do that if needed, but specialising in technical subjects: buildings, machinery, spaceships: "All the work stemmed from Frank's superb roughs and my reason for being there was to take over most of the drawing of machinery."

After objecting to the excessive working hours, Bruce left the studio some time during Dan Dare's first adventure (which, incidentally, ran for about a year and a half). Later,  after the team's move to the new studio in Epsom, Bruce returned under the promise that the work schedule would be less demanding. It wasn't, and after he was refused leave when the work began affecting his health, he left again.

In 1960, after Hampson's team had been broken up, he returned to work with Don Harley on four 'Dan Dare' stories, staying for two years until 1962, when Keith Watson took over.

In addition to 'Dan Dare', Bruce's contributions to Eagle included 'Ships Through the Ages', (some) 'Tommy Walls', and four cutaway drawings, all of nautical subjects. He contributed many of the illustrations, including a number of cutaway drawing designs, to Dan Dare's Spacebook (1953) and Dan Dare's Space Annual 1963. In addition to his work for Eagle he also drew 'Sammy In Space' (with Desmond Walduck) in Swift, 'Space Captain Jim Stalwart' in Junior Mirror, 'Danny Dare' (with Leo Baxendale) in Wham! and 'Journey into Space' (following Ferdinando Tacconi) in Express Weekly. The scope of his commercial art included book covers and line illustrations, the best known being those he did for the Kemlo and Tas children's science fiction series by E.C. Eliott. 

By 1998, when he wrote for Eagle Times, he was "still working" but had retired from commercial work projects, dividing his time between painting and exhibiting, assisting his wife with her business and indulging his favourite hobby: maintaining and running a number of classic cars. Bruce was one of the Eagle Society's special guests at the Grail Centre, Pinner for our 13th Annual Dinner in 1999. More recently he had been persuaded to contribute a number of 'Dan Dare' themed painted illustrations to Spaceship Away, including the one shown above.

The news of Bruce's death arrived with us after the Spring 2012 issue of Eagle Times went to press. The issue includes an article by Jeremy Briggs on Bruce's cutaway drawings. We will be including an obituary in our Summer issue.