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Frank Hampson
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Media
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Audio Book
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Publisher | Orion | ||
ISBN | 9780752898766 | ||
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Audio Extract
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Reviewer
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Vicky
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Synopsis
From the pages of the seminal British boys' adventure comic, The Eagle, comes the legendary Dan Dare - Pilot of the Future, created by Frank Hampson. For the first time on audio CD this thrilling debut volume comes to life with a talented cast and full sound effects. Dan Dare - Pilot of the Future was incarnated in the 1950s and was truly original in the world of comics. Nothing like it had ever been seen before. It was distinguished by its long complex story lines, snappy dialogue and outstanding artwork. Remember The Mekon, Digby, Sir Hubert, Prof. Peabody, Hank, Pierre, Sondar and Volstar? Here they all are jetting off on a thrilling journey that would be told for decades to come. This first story, Voyage to Venus, sets the scene; having arrived on Venus in the spaceship 'Ranger', Dan and Digby set out to find new resources to feed a starving Earth, but they are suddenly captured and taken to Mekonta, the capital of the Northern Hemisphere of Venus, and home of the Treens, the humourless scientific automations who rule the northern half of the mystery planet. Here we meet the evil Mekon, leader of the Treens, and Sondar who would become one of the 'good' Treens.A deadly battle commences with Dan Dare and his crew eventually escaping back to Earth, but he is determined to return to Venus. ..To be continued!
Review
My friend and I listened to this audio book on our way to the Birmingham Quilt show and I have to say it's absolutely brilliant. I loved the way it was read in 50s style with all the different special effects - magic! I should be saying that Tom Goodman-Hill as Dan Dare is the star but I think it's Rupert Degas who does just about everybody else and is wonderful with each different voice and personality. The cohesiveness between all the actors comes through very strongly and you do get the feeling that they must have had a very good time recording the story.
But what of the story - I guess you could say that nothing has changed - people will still say that the humans on earth are still starving but instead of going to Venus to resolve the food problem, in 2008 we grow GM crops!
Dan Dare and his crew do get themselves into a bit of a pickle in getting themselves captured by the Treens and the fun of hearing how they extricate themsleves makes for terrific listening!
I more than highly recommend this audio book for children and the big kids - their parents.
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