Oh woe!

To us kids of the 50s Dan Dare and The Eagle comic were a blaze of colour and escapism dropping onto the doormat every week. Fabulous artwork, futuristic design and great characters...Dan's creator, Frank Hampson nearly drove himself into an early grave in order to fulfill his own exacting standards. In order to achieve his masterpiece, Frank employed anything up to five artists in his studio in Southport, working from live models to present the levels of figurative accuracy for which Dan Dare was famous.

It would be reactionary to say that a film adaptation couldn't possibly match the original, but they're as different as chalk and cheese...remeber the Popeye movie with Robin Williams? It's a mark of respect to think its been attempted all and I'm surprised it didn't happen earlier but for me, Dan and co. will live for ever in my treasured dog-eared copies of The Eagle Annual (not forgetting PC49, Jack O'London and Harris Tweed, extra special agent). Definitely required lavatory reading for gentlemen and ladies (the Eagle enjoyed a 20% female readership) of all ages!!