The legendary British sci-fi hero Dan Dare is returning in a new graphic novel titled 'Dan Dare: First Contact,' published by B7 Comics. Written by Alex de Campi and illustrated by Marc Laming, the project marks a 21st-century reboot of the character originally created by Frank Hampson for the Eagle magazine in 1950. The new iteration modernizes the cast, transforming Professor Peabody into a character of Indian descent and reimagining the sidekick Digby as a young working-class engineer, while maintaining the core conflict against the villainous Mekon.
This revival reflects a broader cultural resurgence of interest in space exploration fueled by real-world NASA missions and Hollywood blockbusters. By moving away from the utopian post-WWII vision of the original series to a setting shaped by climate change, the creators aim to provide a fresh alternative to dominant American sci-fi franchises. The project’s successful crowdfunding on Kickstarter underscores a persistent appetite for classic British intellectual property when adapted to address contemporary social and environmental themes.