Guardian article: The Dandy Faces Closure

[dandy mad]

The Dandy's Facebook page has changed it's header and avatar to retro pictures of Dan. The header has a backdrop of question marks. I wonder if there's any significance?

EDIT: Same Dan picture on the website, with the retro Dandy logo and a countdown clock. Looks like they're removing all trace of the modern Dandy!

Could be the count down to the 75th anniversary or for when it goes online?

[Digifiend]

See my last edit, it's both!

[dandy mad]

RIP The Dandy 1937 - 2012

[Gilly]

Beaten to the punch I signed in on here to share that.

I'm gutted that the print version is coming to an end but at least it's hanging on until December and that The Dandy will still exist in some form. It's like I said in an earlier post on here I think this is the beginning of the end for comics in print.

[Digifiend]

http://lewstringer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/ ... -word.html

[fromthenorth]

Official statement:

Press statement from DCThomson

Just Fine and Dandy!


DC Thomson is remaining tight-lipped about the future of one of the world's longest running children's comics, The Dandy.

Ellis Watson, Chief Executive Officer of Publishing (Newspapers and Magazines) for the Dundee company, has announced that there are exciting plans in the pipeline to take the title in a different direction and to ensure that the next 75 years of the brand are as popular with future generations.

Ellis Watson explained, "I'm absolutely livid that we've had an internal leak about what's in the pipeline for one of our most popular titles. We're counting down 110 days until the big 75th anniversary bash and we're working on some tremendously exciting things.

"I've closed down loopholes to ensure much tighter internal security. We've heard about people trying to find out the plans by hacking into http://www.dandy.com <http://www.dandy.com> so we've taken it all offline and moved in to core project offices. We're in lockdown.

"Dan has certainly not eaten his last cow pie. All of The Dandy's characters are just 110 days away from a new lease of life."

This year, a special edition of The Dandy will be released to mark its official 75th anniversary. The December issue, which will include a reprint of the first edition of the comic, will be the last printed.

Ellis continued, "On December 4th, we'll publish our 75th anniversary edition - and now that the cat's out of the bag - I can confirm that this will be our last print edition. It's what comes online then that will set the tone for the next 75 years and that's why I'm so livid these plans nearly leaked."

The Dandy Annual will continue to be printed and the 2013 annual is already on the shelves.

A book celebrating the 75th anniversary of The Dandy was launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this week. The Dandy will also feature in exhibitions at the National Library of Scotland and at The Cartoon Museum.


ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Branded products will also still be produced for The Dandy, alongside many of our other titles. These can be purchased online via http://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk <http://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk>

DC Thomson & Co Ltd is a private company and one of the leading publishing houses in the UK. The company's headquarters is in Dundee, Scotland, with a London base in Fleet Street.

DC Thomson publishes newspapers, magazines, comics and books. The company also has interests in radio, printing, retailing and online services.

Throughout 2012, DC Thomson has been developing its magazines operation to create an efficient business model that will build on the strength of the existing brands and products under the leadership of Chief Executive of Publishing (Newspapers and Magazines) Ellis Watson.

[Lew Stringer]

Beaten to the punch I signed in on here to share that.

I'm gutted that the print version is coming to an end but at least it's hanging on until December and that The Dandy will still exist in some form. It's like I said in an earlier post on here I think this is the beginning of the end for comics in print.

This is sad news for everyone, not least the creators working on the comic. I've no idea what will happen beyond December but I hope new material is commissioned for any online future it may have.

I've put the official DCT Tweets up on my blog if anyone wants to read the statement as it was posted on Twitter a few minutes ago:

http://lewstringer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/ ... -word.html

[dandy mad]

So The Dandy will cease to exist in print form from the 4th December 2012 will the same happen to The Beano on the 30th July 2013 when it hits 75?

[Digifiend]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-t ... l-19284222

[Gilly]

I hope they are still commissioning new strips though and that The Dandy does find a new lease of life online rather than it being just sent there to die.

[Raven]

"DC Thomson is continuing to develop its magazines operation & portfolio to create an efficient business model that will build on the strength of our existing brands and products."



Don'tcha just love PR b.s. written in corporate speak?

[Digifiend]

I hope they are still commissioning new strips though and that The Dandy does find a new lease of life online rather than it being just sent there to die.

Judging from the website, Jamie's out of a job. That's probably true for everyone else. Maybe the Beano will use some of the artists.

So The Dandy wii cease to exist in print form from the 4th December 2012 will the same happen to The Beano on the 30th July 2013 when it hits 75?

Not likely, the Beano's sales figures are healthier - or at least they were six months ago. The new figures are out, but Beano wasn't listed.

[Lew Stringer]

So The Dandy will cease to exist in print form from the 4th December 2012 will the same happen to The Beano on the 30th July 2013 when it hits 75?

I shouldn't think so. It's not like Logan's Run.

[dandy mad]

So The Dandy will cease to exist in print form from the 4th December 2012 will the same happen to The Beano on the 30th July 2013 when it hits 75?

I shouldn't think so. It's not like Logan's Run.

So The Beano will reign supreme and The Dandy will be thrown onto the digital scrap heap to be forgotten about

[Digifiend]

Of course, this means the Beano can't use the "If you don't behave we'll send you to the Dandy" joke any more.

Due to already being in the Beano, and thus effectively already being confirmed to be surviving the Dandy's demise, Bananaman will end up having survived the closure of two comics (Nutty and Dandy). There aren't many characters you can say that about.