Action and adventure
Action and adventure |
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Page 5 of 42  A model of the Melton, Dare's archenemy. (Christies Photo Archive). This was one of the many models used by artists on the comic as rendering aids. Yet in other ways, The Eagle was certainly an heir to the story paper tradition. The tone was basically imperialist (dashing Dan was in the business of 'conquering' the universe, while his enemy, the Mekon, a green alien with a huge head, had a suspiciously Chinese physiognomy), and was steadfastly 'decent' in the mould of The Boy's Own Paper. Indeed, religion was never far away, and took centre stage in strips like 'The Road of Courage', about the life of Jesus. Also in common with the story papers, and somewhat in contrast to the moral message, it was war that constituted the single most featured subject, with 'cutaway' illustrations of tanks and battleships proving particularly popular. Thus it was difficult to avoid the impression that this was a publication with a mission. And indeed it was. For The Eagle was co-founded by Hampson and a vicar, the Reverend Marcus Morris, as a response to the emergence of supposedly delinquency-inducing American horror comics (see below), and was intended to provide a wholesome, Christian alternative for the nation's male youth.5 Interestingly, then, this explanation of the comic's genesis echoes that of the story papers published in response to the penny dreadfuls in the previous century.  centre page spread (1952). Art: Anon. This features one of the very popular 'cutaway' diagrams, plus an episode of Tintin' (art/script: Herge).  A page from 'Dan Dare', The Eagle (Hulton Press, 1951). Art/script: Frank Hampson. Featured are some of the supporting characters, including Dare's ever-dependable chum, Digby. |