New look
Moderator: AndyB
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New look
You've probably already seen the news here (http://lewstringer.blogspot.com/2010/05 ... omics.html ) and there (http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.com/ ... issue.html ) that Classics gets a new look this week. Bright new masthead and cover design, with classic artwork but sadly the end of the Ken Harrison covers. (Although I have to say that, no fault of Ken's, the new style covers are more representative of the content.)
Inside, there's a readers letters page for you to send in your suggestions, a contents listing sensibly cut back to just one page (so the comic now has the opening impact of a two-tone strip on page 2) and Ron Smith's 1976 series The Space Kids begins.
That's issue 170, out this Thursday I believe.
Inside, there's a readers letters page for you to send in your suggestions, a contents listing sensibly cut back to just one page (so the comic now has the opening impact of a two-tone strip on page 2) and Ron Smith's 1976 series The Space Kids begins.
That's issue 170, out this Thursday I believe.
Re: New look
I think that's a big improvement. Not Ken Harrison's fault as I'm sure he was given a very strict brief but the covers had been too same-y for too long and were never very eye catching - just a slight variation on the same limited theme each month. I'd sometimes wonder why Classics didn't go with the kind of covers The Best of Topper used to have - each one a very different striking, bold, amusing, and lively image.
This new cover really stands out, though - clearly signalling 'vintage content' in an appealing and distinctive way.
This new cover really stands out, though - clearly signalling 'vintage content' in an appealing and distinctive way.
Re: New look
Clever. The old logo was based on the Dandy's first logo (1937-1960) with the text colour reversed. This time it seems to be inspired by the 1948-50 Beano one. The position of the price reminds me of 1974-1988 Beano.
But it's not out on Thursday, despite usually being out on the last Thursday of the month. Last issue said "No 170 - On Sale 26th May" - that's tomorrow, Wednesday.
169's PC McGraw strip has at the top of the pages "This unlikely policeman from Cracker was drawn by Ken Harrison. Ken is the artist behind the recent 'Classics' covers". I thought nothing of it at the time, but now realise they were hinting "but not any more" - otherwise, they didn't need to say "recent".
But it's not out on Thursday, despite usually being out on the last Thursday of the month. Last issue said "No 170 - On Sale 26th May" - that's tomorrow, Wednesday.
169's PC McGraw strip has at the top of the pages "This unlikely policeman from Cracker was drawn by Ken Harrison. Ken is the artist behind the recent 'Classics' covers". I thought nothing of it at the time, but now realise they were hinting "but not any more" - otherwise, they didn't need to say "recent".
- ISPYSHHHGUY
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Re: New look
Looks good, and fine there is no price increase.
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- Fence Sitter
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Re: New look
While they're at it could they give thier distributors a boot up the you-know-where, in some places (such as Lincoln... well last time i was there) it might as well not exist! Luckily Cambridge Smith's has it.
Re: New look
Hmm, not sure about the new look. I miss the Ken H covers, and it's a bit "busy". Will probably grow on me...
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Re: New look
I like it because it looks more like an old comic now. I know what you mean about the busy layout but at least it's tidier than the "make it look like an untidy spillage of images and fonts" design of the Nineties & Noughties that most kids mags still use even in 2010.PaulTwist wrote:Hmm, not sure about the new look. I miss the Ken H covers, and it's a bit "busy". Will probably grow on me...
I feel the Korky cover works because it was a large panel anyway. I'm hoping future issues won't blow up a Biffo or Desperate Dan panel to fit the space. Enlarged artwork never looks right IMHO.
I suspect the changes are budget-driven initially, but they've made a great job of it. You'll note that not only has the originated cover art gone but the expense of re-colouring the back cover strip has been replaced by scanning the original comic colours. Personally I think it looks better this way now.
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Re: New look
That back cover change is something I've always wanted, ever since they started using Korky and Biffo there. Some of the strips just didn't look right recoloured. Especially if Biffo got a white face instead of skintone, which happened sometimes, including last month.
- tony ingram
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Re: New look
It's a definite improvement. Seems to be getting a good response from all quarters, I'm glad to say. Well done, Garry.
- Peter Gray
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Re: New look
http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogs ... -over.html
Heres when the colouring was changed on the back cover for Biffo..
Heres when the colouring was changed on the back cover for Biffo..
- chrissmillie
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Re: New look
Ah well, there you go. I preferred the old look.
Re: New look
That's exactly what I meant. The original version of that strip is much better. Biffo just doesn't look right with a white face.Peter Gray wrote:http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogs ... -over.html
Heres when the colouring was changed on the back cover for Biffo..
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Re: New look
Although he did have a white face in his early years in The Beano.Digifiend wrote:That's exactly what I meant. The original version of that strip is much better. Biffo just doesn't look right with a white face.Peter Gray wrote:http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogs ... -over.html
Heres when the colouring was changed on the back cover for Biffo..
- Peter Gray
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Re: New look
I've got last Months Classics at last thanks to Paul Twist...
great it has Jimmy's Magic patch by Paddy B..
so glad I didn't miss it..
Also good news the new Classics was in Guildford..the title panel of Classics really stood out on the stack...also a nice classic Biffo on the back in the right colours..
Do you think Lew we should email Classics with our blogs or are we too old...
Classics we need the Beezer's Jellymen!!
I did like Spacekids.loved the fire alarm..helterskelter style..
great it has Jimmy's Magic patch by Paddy B..
so glad I didn't miss it..
Also good news the new Classics was in Guildford..the title panel of Classics really stood out on the stack...also a nice classic Biffo on the back in the right colours..
Do you think Lew we should email Classics with our blogs or are we too old...
Classics we need the Beezer's Jellymen!!
I did like Spacekids.loved the fire alarm..helterskelter style..