Dan Dare
Issue #2
Published by: Virgin Comics
Written by: Garth Ennis
Illustrated by: Gary Erskine

Reviewed by: Shawn Swanson

I would like to begin this review by saying that I am a huge fan of the work of Garth Ennis. Garth’s series “Preacher” sets in my collection as a proud reminder of what comic book writing can be. Mr. Ennis proved that “The Punisher” could be more then just some crazy dude with a skull T-shirt and a bunch of guns. I mean really! Garth Ennis is a great writer, but (yes there is a “but” in this article.) Dan Dare was not great. I can see what he was shooting for with this book. He wanted to present to us a character that he was raised on. The problem maybe is that it’s quite like eating haggis for the first time; I mean if you were raised on haggis you may think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread but if you haven’t then you are going to gag on every bite. Dan Dare is an iconic character in Brittan and no one wants to destroy an icon.

Dan Dare was a Hero once. He was a space adventurer and in many ways he kind of reminds me of Captain Kirk. Dan Brokered peace with new civilizations pushed the frontiers of space and saved the world time and again. Dan’s space adventures were long ago and times have moved on; or have they? There is a new threat that has pounced upon the earth and only one man may have the ability to save us all.

The problem with this book is two fold. One is that Garth has taken an irrelevant character and instead of remaking him, or reviving him, or whatever it takes to breath life into this dated character we are given only this dull, stiff Buck Rogers type guy that I don’t really care about. The story is dry and unoriginal and the artwork feels amateurish and uninspired.

I picked up Dan Dare with so much enthusiasm, I expected greatness, but you don’t always get what you expect. This book is a pass for me, maybe it will improve or maybe this is what it’s supposed to be, either way I don’t think it will ever be on my favorites list.

Thanks for taking the time to hear me whine about nothing and everything all at once. Please check back within the next couple weeks to read my review of “The Stranded” by Mike Carey and Jenna Jameson’s “Shadow Hunter” by Christina Z. I’ll tell you right now that “Shadow Hunter” is a surprise.