Dan Dare: The Evil One

About David MottonKeith Watson

After finishing his national service David Motton began his 30-year career in comics as a freelance writer working on the Fleetway title The Sun Comic a title he would become the editor of in its final year. He went on to edit both Knockabout and Film Fun. His writing credits prior to Dan Dare included: Jet-Ace Logan Max Bravo -The Happy Hussar Desperate Dan as well as strips for the comics Wizard Hotspur Valiant Mandy Bunty Debbie and Judy. In 1962 following IPC purchase of Eagle from Odhams David was hired to take over the writing duties of Dan Dare from Eric Eden and continued to write the strip until 1969 making him the longest serving writer of Dan Dare in its history. Following Dan Dare David went on to write Skid Solo The Guinea Pig Burke's Law The Woodentops Space Patrol as well as some Doctor Who stories for TV Comic. Following his 30-year career he retired from comics to Swafham. Keith Watson first started working on the Dan Dare strip back in 1958 when he joined the Frank Hampson studio. However he left after a year to draw Captain Condor for rival comic Lion. In 1962 Keith returned to Dan Dare and became the sole artist taking over the drawing duties from Don Harley and Bruce Cornwell. This marked a new direction for the legendary strip which for the first time in its' history went from full-colour to black and white. Keith would go on to draw the strip for longer than any other artist until the comic's demise in 1969. He went on to draw Captain Scarlet and Joe 90 for the Gerry Anderson themed comics TV Century 21 Joe 90 and also Battle of the Planets for TV21. In the 1970s Keith worked for the Dutch comic Eppo on the football strip Roel Dijkstra. In 1989 he returned to Dan Dare once again when Eagle comic was revived and continued to draw the adventures of the Dare's grandson also conveniently called Dan. He sadly died at the age of 59 from cancer.