Dan Dare, Eagle Vol 9, no.50

Your cover, from 'The Phantom Fleet', is painted entirely by Desmond Walduck.  Absolutely no Frank Hampson input on the finished art whatsoever, sorry.  Walduck was a freelance artist (not a regular member of Hampson's studio team) who would sometimes be called upon to help out with finished art when Hampson and his regulars got bogged-down with other aspects of the strip.  Walduck would be supplied with 'Colour Visuals' as a guide (tight prelims) on which to base his finished art.

Hi Terry, thanks for the clarification. This page was obtained from Comiclink who listed Hampson (studio) as the artist. I had not realised there was a definitive listing of who ghosted for Hampson and exactly when. I know as the series progressed Frank Bellamy and Don Harley among others drew the strip, but their styles are much more distinctive and easier to spot!

There is no definitive listing of who did what on the Hampson era.  Even pages Hampson worked on himself can often be a collaborative effort between Frank and his assistants (e.g. finished art can have elements by Hampson, Don Harley, Eric Eden, etc.)  Desmond Walduck is easier to identify (he produced most of the finished artwork on the earlier story, 'Prisoners of Space', at a time when Hampson was ill and farmed the finished work out to Walduck).  I've probably handled somewhere in the region of 100 Dan Dare originals over the years and, based on careful study (backed up by research and consultation with people like Don Harley and Alan Vince), like to think that I've developed an eye for "Who did what".  I don't think Comiclink was out to deceive . . . they simply didn't know what they were looking at . . . or looking for.  Your 'Phantom Fleet' cover is certainly vintage Dan Dare . . . and a nice example of Walduck's work.

Thanks Terry, well, by the sound of it the definitive guide could actually be written by you, especially with the sources you are able to call upon! You certainly have a great collection, I am sure it must have taken years to amass. Personally I can't believe the prices people are asking and indeed paying for certain 1950/60s British artists now. Although having said that if a Mike Noble Fireball XL5 page ever came up for sale, I would be in there like a shot no matter what it cost!!