Joan Porter R.I.P

Andy B, longtime blog supporter and Dan Dare fan, has just relayed this rather sad news.

"Joan Porter, one of the last remaining Dan Dare artists has just passed away, aged 96. She was with Frank Hampson's team, drawing Dan Dare for the Eagle comic from the very beginning, responsible for colouring Frank Hampson's early linework, including the very first issues. She left the studio, but returned (probably in the mid 1950s) to become Frank's "number two", responsible for the art materials, and more importantly, taking the many reference photos the studio used. When Frank Hampson left Dan Dare she worked on other projects with him. 

Joan was a very private person, and rarely gave interviews about her time on Dan Dare, put off by the fact that much of what was written was inaccurate. However, in later years she collaborated on some articles in the "Eagle Times" fanzine, including one on some of the techniques used by the studio.

Joan had a puckish, slightly absurd sense of humour, and when I met her at a rare public appearance, and asked for her autograph in a book, she replied "only if you give me one of yours"... This led to several years of entertaining correspondence, which I shall very much miss."

Group outside the first studio "The Bakery", Left, Frank Hampson, then Joan Porter, Bruce Cornwell & Jo. Thomas.

Joan Porter was part of Frank Hampson's studio working on Dan Dare in the Eagle, primarily as a colourist, although she also did research, photography and secretarial work. She was part of Hampson's studio until it was disbanded in 1959 when Odhams Press took over the Eagle. Later, she assisted Hampson on "The Road of Courage", a retelling of the life of Christ. Hampson wrote to her at one point, saying "Wherever I am and whatever I am working on I shall want you for the colour."

First image from Dan Dare EAGLE issue 1.