Dan Dare to celebrate their 20th anniversary, "2000 AD" published two issues with additional free comics, the first a reprint of the first issue of "2000 AD", which starred Dan Dare. The second free comic was a speculative issue called "3000 AD" which contained strips partially based on the first issue of "2000 AD". One strip was entitled "The Return of Dan Dare", which also featured the return of the Mekon. In 1982 "Eagle" was re-launched, with "Dan Dare" again its flagship strip. The new character was the great-great-great-grandson of the original hero—the only surviving character from the original strip being the
Eagle (ship) Eagle (ship) Eagle was a freighter which was sunk intentionally near Lower Matecumbe Key, Florida, to become an artificial reef and diving spot. The ship was built in 1962 for Danish shipowners J. Lauritzen A/S at Bijkers Shipyard, Gorinchem, Netherlands, and named "Raila Dan". In 1969 she was sold to the Dutch shipping company Poseidon and renamed "Barok". In 1974 she was sold again, and renamed "Carmela". She was then sold and renamed "Ytai" in 1976, and yet again sold, and renamed "Etai" the following year. In 1981 she was sold and renamed "Carigulf Pioneer", and sold for the final