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.