In Pictures

Dan Dare from Eagle no 8, 2 June 1950

Frank Hampson (1918-1985)

The legendary Frank Hampson is known above all for being the creator and artist of Dan Dare in Eagle. Contributing sketches for Meccano Magazine at the age of 13, Hampson went on to study art at the Southport School of Arts and Crafts. After the war he met Marcus Morris, a local vicar, and worked on Christian magazine the Anvil before collaborating to produce Eagle. With a dedicated team (including Don Harley) he went on to provide the art for strips like The Great Adventurer and The Road of Courage. With an eye for detail and strong creative control, Hampson's methods of using full mock-ups, actors and models for reference gave his work a distinctively coherent look. After Dan Dare, Hampson illustrated The Road of Courage about the life story of Christ for Eagle. Some recognition of his work came later in life with an award in Italy, but Hampson's place as a major British cultural figure has only really been acknowledged since his death.

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