The Eagle

The Eagle was a British cult comic aimed initially at boys up to their middle teen years. It began life in 1950 and ran for 19 years ceasing publication in 1969. In 1982 it was relaunched and continued until 1994. The comic was founded by Marcus Morris, (1915–1989) an Anglican vicar from Lancashire. He was very disenchanted with contemporary children's publications at the time and with his illustrator friend Frank Hampson created a comic based on Christian moral values. Publishers were not impressed and it was not until Hulton Press saw it that The Eagle story began.

Hulton created an enormous promotion and the first issue in April 1950 it is believed sold more than 800,00 copies. It had a colour front page and featured its soon to become cult hero Dan Dare created by Frank Hampson. The comic also contained a news section, a sports section cutaway diagrams of cars and machinery and soon a range of good were licensed for sale. Discontent over takeovers caused the founder Morris and chief illustrator Hampson to resign. Disharmony continued and the publication was taken over by its chief rival Lion comic.