Crash land with Dan Dare, the world’s Number One space hero!

Decades after he first appeared in the comic Eagle, Dan Dare hits the airwaves and embarks on a mission to Venus to save the world. Classic comic-book fans and adventure lovers alike will relish this vintage production as Dan Dare, British science fiction comic hero, created by illustrator Frank Hampson, fires up his spaceship and launches into the future - the distant future - the 1990s…

Nicknamed The ‘Biggles of Space’ and the ‘British Buck Rodgers’, this superhero’s manner is more reminiscent of British war films of the 1950s. Dominating the comic-book scene in the 1950 and 60s, the dashing and daring pilot is back in this brilliant, four-part radio dramatisation. Enjoy listening to a full-cast recording as they take on the adventure with Dan Dare and his crew battling to save the world.

And in a bonus documentary, listen as Sir Tim Rice explores the lasting appeal of the British magazine Eagle and the impact of Dan Dare in Eagle: The Space Age Weekly. Charting the influences behind the comic, and exploring the life of its creator, Marcus Morris, this fascinating programme features contributions from author Philip Pullman, Sally Morris the daughter of Eagle creator and Eagle Society member David Britton.

Cast and credits

Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future

Written by Frank Hampson

Dramatised by Nick McCarty

Directed by Glyn Dearman

Music by Wilfredo Acost

Dan Dare - Mick Ford

Sir Hubert - Terence Alexander

Digby - Donald Gee

Professor Peabody - Zelah Clarke

Hank - William Roberts

The Mekon - Richard Pearce

Sondar - David Goudge

Aunt Anastasia - Margaret Courtenay

Mrs Digby - Shirley Dixon

Volstar - Ben Onwukwe

Kalon - John Moffatt

Pierre - Sean Barrett

Dapon - David King

Ur Tag - Brian Miller

Other parts played by Vincent Brimble, Paul Downing, Stephen Garlick, Dale Rapley, Danny Schiller, Charles Simpson, Simon Treves and Christopher Good

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 Apr - 10 May 1990

Eagle: The Space Age Weekly

Written and Presented by Sir Tim Rice

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4Extra, 23 Dec 2010