DFC No.'s 1,2,3 and 4

From the ashes of the DFC rises... the Phoenix.

Moderator: AndyB

User avatar
AztecComics
Posts: 15
Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 12:46
Location: Essex, England

DFC No.'s 1,2,3 and 4

Post by AztecComics »

Can anyone tell me, does the first issue of The DFC come with a free gift?

User avatar
Peter Gray
Posts: 4222
Joined: 28 Feb 2006, 00:07
Location: Surrey Guildford
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by Peter Gray »

:P
:) I hope not.......I hate free gifts now....bad for the environment.there are too many....do kids keep them ..play with them all or are they just binning them...

Now a Gnasher snapper (80's) was played with so much by me I had to stick it together with cello tape...that is a free gift that was used......less free gifts....more they will be used...stop spoiling kids...

Lew Stringer
Posts: 7041
Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 00:59
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by Lew Stringer »

It's only natural that we bin today's free gifts. We're adults. They're cheap toys.

Having said that, I hope some of you will pick up Toxic in a few weeks which will carry a free gift I was asked to design that, if the toy manufacturer gets it right, will freak out kids in a fun way (and their parents in a less fun way probably). No, it's not toilet humour. No fart balloon, no fake dog poo. More news soon. 8)

Back on topic; there's no mention that The DFC will carry a gift, and I'd be surprised if it did as the idea is for the comic itself to be the attraction. Bagged free gifts are there to catch casual buyers, so they're not needed for a subscription-only comic.

By the way, I spoke to several DFC contributors at the Bristol Comic Expo (see what you missed folks?) and they were all enthusiastic about the comic. I have my personal reservations on how successful the subscription method might be, but from what I've seen the standard of artwork is very good. Different to The Beano or Toxic, so hopefully kids will buy all three comics instead of dropping their current favourite.

They're having a launch party this week apparently so expect to see several news items on it in the media this coming weekend.

Lew
The blog of British comics: http://lewstringer.blogspot.com
My website: http://www.lewstringer.com
Blog about my own work: http://lewstringercomics.blogspot.com/

Garen
Posts: 65
Joined: 28 Mar 2006, 11:31
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by Garen »

The subscription model is a risk, but it's a brave alternative strategy, in my view, in the face of the prohibitive costs involved in getting a new title on to newsagent shelves - it wouldn't happen otherwise. The DFC will have no advertising - it's all story. I've subscribed and am looking forward to it! :)

User avatar
Captain Storm
Posts: 898
Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 21:15
Location: 1981
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by Captain Storm »

Crikey Issue 2 came with a free gift-a green banger-and that is a subscription model too.Strange though that they never advertised it in the magazine!

free and easy Cap!

Garen
Posts: 65
Joined: 28 Mar 2006, 11:31
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by Garen »

Actually you've just reminded me - I published a comics anthology in 1988 called 'Cosmorama' - and that had a free gift with its first issue - a flexi-disc!

Lew Stringer
Posts: 7041
Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 00:59
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by Lew Stringer »

While we're on the subject I published a Combat Colin Summer Special several years ago that came with a free Bingo Ticket. The lucky winner won a bag of Monkey Nuts!

Lew
The blog of British comics: http://lewstringer.blogspot.com
My website: http://www.lewstringer.com
Blog about my own work: http://lewstringercomics.blogspot.com/

User avatar
chrissmillie
Posts: 536
Joined: 06 Mar 2006, 14:22
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by chrissmillie »

You must be older than you look, Garen!
STARSCAPE
http://www.StarscapeComic.co.uk
Classic British reprints and all-new comics

MikeC
Posts: 164
Joined: 27 Apr 2006, 10:16

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by MikeC »

Garen wrote:The subscription model is a risk, but it's a brave alternative strategy, in my view, in the face of the prohibitive costs involved in getting a new title on to newsagent shelves - it wouldn't happen otherwise. The DFC will have no advertising - it's all story. I've subscribed and am looking forward to it! :)
It's not much of a risk though, is it? You only print the number you've sold in advance, there are no gifts to buy, no retailer deals to cut - it seems to be a safer option than launching a new title. If it bombs, all that's lost is the cost of the material, which as it's bought and paid for, could presumably be used elsewhere. At least they have the confidence in comic strips to fork out some cold hard cash for material to print!

User avatar
HighAndMighty
Posts: 83
Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 12:47
Location: A Happy Place

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by HighAndMighty »

the problems are likely to be:
getting it seen.
getting kids to buy in to the idea.
making parents more willing to shell out 50quid on a subscription than just the odd £2 here and there as and when pestered for a beano.

we're all aware of the dfc but aside from the guardian's kids section, how have children been specifically targetted? ... or are they hoping that parents will buy into it instead?
cor!

User avatar
chrissmillie
Posts: 536
Joined: 06 Mar 2006, 14:22
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by chrissmillie »

Wonder how many copies Look & Learn managed on a similar basis?
STARSCAPE
http://www.StarscapeComic.co.uk
Classic British reprints and all-new comics

Garen
Posts: 65
Joined: 28 Mar 2006, 11:31
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by Garen »

HighAndMighty wrote:we're all aware of the dfc but aside from the guardian's kids section, how have children been specifically targetted? ... or are they hoping that parents will buy into it instead?
Well here's one example...

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/thedfc

I guess it would mainly be parent-led (to begin with) as kids can't really subscribe online, can they? I hope it has time to grow - punters are bound to be cautious at first.
chrissmillie wrote:You must be older than you look, Garen!
It's catching up with me, don't worry! :D

Lew Stringer
Posts: 7041
Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 00:59
Contact:

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by Lew Stringer »

I've just subscribed. More to support my colleagues than anything else. Good luck to all involved! :cheers:

Lew
The blog of British comics: http://lewstringer.blogspot.com
My website: http://www.lewstringer.com
Blog about my own work: http://lewstringercomics.blogspot.com/

steelclaw
DC Skelton
Posts: 1868
Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 19:24

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by steelclaw »

After reading the article in the Mail last week, I think I'm going to subcribe.

steelclaw
DC Skelton
Posts: 1868
Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 19:24

Re: DFC NO:1

Post by steelclaw »

Well I thought of it and I've now subscribed.
For 13 Issues.
Looking forward to No.1.(Plus free gift :lol: )

Post Reply