The Dandy: Demise, Digitisation and Deliberations
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Well, today is a day of rather mixed emotions, to say the least.
I hold in my hands the very last print edition of Britain’s longest-running comic, The Dandy . There’s no doubt it’s a beautiful, lovingly-crafted tribute to the title, crammed full of fantastic comics both old and new, and thus it makes for a wonderfully entertaining read guaranteed to bring back fond memories and chuckles galore. It’s a glorious celebration of 75 years of fun, combining both the fact that it’s the final issue AND The Dandy’s 75th birthday in one glorious, foil-embossed package.
I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to this historic issue after two and-a-bit years writing and drawing stuff for The Dandy, and feel very, very, very VERY honoured to do so. I got to draw up a two-page Bad Grandad , as well as three mini-strips, including a reprise of my take on the Dandy classic Harry and his Hippo , and two mini-strips based upon characters who like to eat a lot (a slight irony for one as thin as a rake as me!), Plum MacDuff and Hungry Horace . HURRAH!
But, of course, this issue is also an immensely sad object, heralding as it does the end of the physical edition of a comic that’s been delighting kids for decades, one half of the last two remaining British humour comics for kids on the shelves (the other being The Beano , of course). The Dandy and The Beano have been side-by-side for ages, and seeing The Beano on its own now will be like Morecambe without Wise, Abbott without Costello, Hale without Pace (maybe not the last one). Only half a comedy double act remains.
It’s been an absolute privilege to work on the comic for these past couple of years, and getting the chance to test out brand new characters of my own creation, and work on classics from The Dandy’s vast vaults. It’s also been a joy to work alongside so, so many talented artists, from those whose work I grew up admiring (such a Lew Stringer, Steve Bright, Wayne Thompson and Nigel Parkinson ) to those newer talents debuting in the comic either alongside me or just before me, (such as my good chum Stu Munro, Alex Matthews, Nigel Auchterlounie, Steve Beckett, Wilbur Dawbarn, Nik Holmes, Stephen Waller, Rick Eades and Phil Corbett ) to those who are a simply a little odd and disturbing ( Jamie Smart ). And, above all, it’s been immensely gratifying to have had so much lovely feedback from the kids who read the comic, and their satisfied parents, or adults who simply still love comics. I think The Dandy of the past couple of years has been bold, experimental and – above all else – great fun, and I’m glad to have been a small part of such a long and distinguished history. I’m deeply thankful to all who made it possible, especially Craig, Michelle and Mark at Dandy HQ.
However, all is not done for yet, for today ALSO sees the launch of the all-new, all-singing, all-dancing Digital Dandy, the first preview issue of which is available at www.dandy.com right NOW, and includes brand new comics, games and videos for the ever tech-savy kids of today. Next they’ll be beaming comics directly into our brains, I expect. I’ll have some strips cropping up in the new Digi-Dandy soon, including the return of one of my characters from the print edition, so keep your cyber-eyes peeled for THAT.
So, The Dandy is changing again, as it has done through its long history to reflect the world around it. This is never more so evident then when flicking through the latest issue (replete with its facsimile of the very first issue from 1937). Sadly, the internet wasn’t about back then, so we’ll never no for sure how many people fumed as the text-heavy stories of those earlier editions gave way to more and more strips with far more concise speech bubbles. (“Does NO-ONE read words AND pictures any more? This would have never happened under Victoria’s reign! I shall cancel my subscription forthwith, good sirs, and bid you farewell, you poltroons! HARRUMPH!”) But The Dandy (and indeed, all comics) have had to adapt to survive, and the fact The Dandy managed to do so for so long is testament to all the wonderful editors, writers and artists who ferried the title through the decades. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing, but there’s always a need to create something for the current generation to feel nostalgic about later; it isn’t the sole preserve of any one generation. Long may this continue, for without innovation The Dandy would have never taken off in the first place.
So here we are, with the Dandy bidding farewell to one era and setting its sights on offering a bold, fresh new experience for the future, just as it did back in 1937. I hope it’ll do well and help usher in the next golden age of comics. Heaven knows we DO still need them.
Now, to finish off here’s a re-working of Korky the Cat’s first ever strip by Stu Munro. ENJOY.
- Fanton.
The final issue of The Dandy is out now, priced £3.99. Get ‘em while you can, they’re selling like hot cakes!
swirlythingy December 4, 2012 at 2:24 pm Did you notice that four pages were missing from the facsimile? It’s supposed to be 28 pages long, but it was only 24. If you’ve got a copy of the Art and History of the Dandy, there’s a complete version in that. Reply Fanton December 4, 2012 at 2:25 pm Yeah, but I like to focus on the good things Reply
Did you notice that four pages were missing from the facsimile? It’s supposed to be 28 pages long, but it was only 24.
If you’ve got a copy of the Art and History of the Dandy, there’s a complete version in that.
Fanton December 4, 2012 at 2:25 pm Yeah, but I like to focus on the good things Reply
Yeah, but I like to focus on the good things
Heather HILL December 4, 2012 at 3:19 pm It’s funny how so many of us are remembering what a huge piece of our childhood The Dandy was only today. I’m sure the new age brings new possibilities and a vast new generation of readers. Good luck all x Reply Fanton December 4, 2012 at 4:21 pm Very true indeed! And I’ll join you in the good luck wishes! Reply
It’s funny how so many of us are remembering what a huge piece of our childhood The Dandy was only today. I’m sure the new age brings new possibilities and a vast new generation of readers. Good luck all x
Fanton December 4, 2012 at 4:21 pm Very true indeed! And I’ll join you in the good luck wishes! Reply
Very true indeed! And I’ll join you in the good luck wishes!
PeterGray December 4, 2012 at 4:56 pm I need to get a better newer computer I’m struggling to get it to work… being a collector of old comics…paper is always best.. But hopefully will get to see the online version… hope a print version to buy online will come up…;0) Reply Fanton December 4, 2012 at 10:51 pm Why not print out the online pages and make your own ‘print’ Dandy? Simple! Reply James Spiring December 5, 2012 at 9:39 am That really isn’t practical. On some panels, speech bubbles appear, then on the next screen are replaced with different ones, still on the same art panel. Reply
I need to get a better newer computer I’m struggling to get it to work…
being a collector of old comics…paper is always best..
But hopefully will get to see the online version…
hope a print version to buy online will come up…;0)
Fanton December 4, 2012 at 10:51 pm Why not print out the online pages and make your own ‘print’ Dandy? Simple! Reply James Spiring December 5, 2012 at 9:39 am That really isn’t practical. On some panels, speech bubbles appear, then on the next screen are replaced with different ones, still on the same art panel. Reply
Why not print out the online pages and make your own ‘print’ Dandy? Simple!
James Spiring December 5, 2012 at 9:39 am That really isn’t practical. On some panels, speech bubbles appear, then on the next screen are replaced with different ones, still on the same art panel. Reply
That really isn’t practical. On some panels, speech bubbles appear, then on the next screen are replaced with different ones, still on the same art panel.
George Shiers December 4, 2012 at 6:29 pm Laurel without Hardy… Also, great to see the remake of Korky the Cat. Reply Fanton December 4, 2012 at 10:52 pm That Stu is pretty good, sometimes. When he isn’t being a massive BENNY! Reply
Laurel without Hardy…
Also, great to see the remake of Korky the Cat.
Fanton December 4, 2012 at 10:52 pm That Stu is pretty good, sometimes. When he isn’t being a massive BENNY! Reply
That Stu is pretty good, sometimes. When he isn’t being a massive BENNY!
Simon Bromley December 4, 2012 at 7:54 pm Lovely. As you say, a day of mixed emotions. I managed to get my copy okay this morning – I know a few people are having a spot of trouble getting hold of one. But it is a wonderful thing, and nice to see so much of your work in there, Andy. And that’s a lovely Korky reworking by Stu, too. Reply Fanton December 4, 2012 at 10:52 pm Thanks, Simon! And glad to see you got your copy okay, they’re like GOLD DUST. Gold dust made out of comic. Reply
Lovely. As you say, a day of mixed emotions. I managed to get my copy okay this morning – I know a few people are having a spot of trouble getting hold of one. But it is a wonderful thing, and nice to see so much of your work in there, Andy. And that’s a lovely Korky reworking by Stu, too.
Fanton December 4, 2012 at 10:52 pm Thanks, Simon! And glad to see you got your copy okay, they’re like GOLD DUST. Gold dust made out of comic. Reply
Thanks, Simon! And glad to see you got your copy okay, they’re like GOLD DUST. Gold dust made out of comic.
wiLbur December 4, 2012 at 9:36 pm Lovely post, Andy, and great take on the Korky strip, Stu. Fun reading them side-by-side. Reply Fanton December 4, 2012 at 10:54 pm Cheers, Will! I’ll pass on your kind words to Stu next time I see him (after I’ve stopped being sick). Reply
Lovely post, Andy, and great take on the Korky strip, Stu. Fun reading them side-by-side.
Fanton December 4, 2012 at 10:54 pm Cheers, Will! I’ll pass on your kind words to Stu next time I see him (after I’ve stopped being sick). Reply
Cheers, Will! I’ll pass on your kind words to Stu next time I see him (after I’ve stopped being sick).
The Dandy in the news | Procartoonists.org December 5, 2012 at 12:05 pm [...] here are a few blog takes from those closer to the story: Dandy contributors Andy Fanton, Jamie Smart, Lew Stringer and Wilbur Dawbarn. Tweet !function(d,s,id){var [...] Reply
[...] here are a few blog takes from those closer to the story: Dandy contributors Andy Fanton, Jamie Smart, Lew Stringer and Wilbur Dawbarn. Tweet !function(d,s,id){var [...]
Rick Eades December 5, 2012 at 10:25 pm Excellent blog and thanks for the mention. Just wanted to say how much I’ve really enjoyed your strips in the Dandy over the last couple of years, you’ve raised many a titter in this household. Here’s to seeing lots more of your comic hijinks in the new digital Dandy. Cheers Rick Reply Fanton December 11, 2012 at 6:50 pm You’re welcome, Rick, and thanks for the kind words! Here’s to the FUUUUUTTUUUUUUURRRRRRRE! Reply
Excellent blog and thanks for the mention. Just wanted to say how much I’ve really enjoyed your strips in the Dandy over the last couple of years, you’ve raised many a titter in this household.
Here’s to seeing lots more of your comic hijinks in the new digital Dandy.
Cheers Rick
Fanton December 11, 2012 at 6:50 pm You’re welcome, Rick, and thanks for the kind words! Here’s to the FUUUUUTTUUUUUUURRRRRRRE! Reply
You’re welcome, Rick, and thanks for the kind words!
Here’s to the FUUUUUTTUUUUUUURRRRRRRE!
A Plum Job | Andy Fanton Dot Com January 9, 2013 at 7:06 pm [...] it’s been just over a month since the last ever issue of The Dandy came out, and what have I been up to since then? Well, happily, I’ve been far from idle, and have now [...] Reply
[...] it’s been just over a month since the last ever issue of The Dandy came out, and what have I been up to since then? Well, happily, I’ve been far from idle, and have now [...]
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