2010
The Dandiest Dandy Ever Dandied
HAVING been knocking about for the past 70 years, you could be forgiven for thinking The Dandy is over-the-hill, but with the first revamped issue released Wednesday, the comic is – quite literally – UNDER the Hill – in a very good way indeed!
For behind a Harry Hill-based cover lies an all-new, vibrant, fun-packed and fresh-feeling comic, crammed FULL of comic strip larks from creators old and new – including my first ever published comics work, George vs Dragon (pictured below).
It’s been a surreal couple of days since the new Dandy hit the shelves. Seeing my comic within the pages of a title I used to read as a kid has been brilliantly thrilling, even if sometimes I still can’t quite believe I finally made it. It’s an honour to be in the same publication as so many talented individuals, such as Lew Stringer, Nigel Parkinson and Jamie Smart.
No sooner had I got over the initial shock and wonder of seeing my stuff in the comic, I was then told that my comic strip was name-checked on Radio 2 (about 1hr 40mins in, here) and then before I knew it, I was next on a train heading to Chester to hold a monster-drawing workshop for 100+ children (more on that in an upcoming post). It was brilliant fun, the kids were delightful and enthusiastic, and I found my surreal week getting even more surreal as I would up signing copies of The Dandy and various pictures for the children, something I’ve never done before! Crucially, the ones brandishing the comic seemed to love it, which is the most important thing here – it’s for them, after all (and adults who’ve never quite grown up, of course. Like me!)
Me. looking like a berk, with my first printed comic! EEEP!
So yes – a crazy couple of days, but also completely WONDERFUL. If I may switch to Oscars mode for a moment, I’d like to give my biggest, thankiest thanks to the FABULOUS Jamie Smart for putting me in touch with the Dandy people when they were planning this relaunch, and for sugesting I submit something for it in the first place. The man’s a solid-gold WONDER, and I thank him LOTS and LOTS from the bottom of my heart, and the heart of my bottom.
Also big thanks to the wondrous Craig and Michelle at Dandy HQ for their help and support; to my lovely family and friends who’ve all been TRULY ace and to ANYONE who has picked up a copy of The Dandy and said nice things about my scrawls within. You’re all lovely, lovely people.
I hope people will come back for more – as my first comics work, it’s been a learning process for me and I believe my confidence is growing with each subsequent strip, so stick around for more medieval madness!
Now, is it NEXT Wednesday yet?…
- Fanton.
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I am absobloodylutely thrilled for you Andy, having been a long time fan of your scribbles and doodles. It is about time the rest of the world gets to appreciate your stuff too!
How absolutely thrilling this is! Congratulations on your success; so well deserved.
Aw, thank you Claire! I still can’t quite believe that I’ve finally made it into print! It’s all a bit unreal!
Marisa: Thank you very much! It really is super-thrilling, long may it continue!
[...] Shop ← The Dandiest Dandy Ever Dandied [...]
Well done, the new comic looks amazing! I have to say both my kids loved the whole comic too.
Hi Andy, love your artwork, only a few days ago did I first find out about you and your Dandy fame, must say George VS Dragon was definitely the best of the lot! Your artwork is inspiring and enjoyable to look at. Hope you are doing more for the comic as I love your work! Maybe Carroty Kid could become a Dandy character, that would be awesome!
[...] (cartoonist who has clarified that Harry is the only person writing the strip), Lew Stringer, STV, Andy Fanton, Bear Alley, Down the Tubes, Sky and [...]
Hey, Rick! Thanks for your comment! And very pleased that your kids both enjoyed the whole comic – HOORAY!
Harry: Why, thank you very, very much – that’s most kind of you to say so! I’m glad you liked the strip!
I’ve got another coming up in the not-too-distant future, you can read about it here:
http://www.andyfanton.com/2010/10/boo/
As for the Carrotty Kid…I’d quite like to see him in print, too…maybe one day, eh?
Thanks again, everyone!
[...] mix of old and new. Fans of Jamie Smart – who played a large part in The Dandy’s redesign last year – may be disappointed to see that there’s none of his strips inside – [...]