Comics UK

starscape wrote:Getting back to topic, would it be welcomed for the Dandy characters to become part of the Beano? I watched some Karl Pilkington last night where he remarked about Desperate Dan. Given his current nature, it won't be long until he's only known as some weird cowboy statue in Dundee. I see no reason not to have the most iconic characters in one comic now.

Well, the Dandy characters are still around in the annual and summer special, even though the latter is reprint.

Personally I'd like to see The Dandy, or some of its characters, return in an independent comic licensed from DC Thomson. In a similar way that Titan Comics are to publish a new Johnny Red comic with Egmont's permission (and no doubt paying Egmont a licence fee.)

I'm not saying that will happen with The Dandy, or that there's any rumour of it happening. (There isn't.) Pute speculation, but it occurs to me it's one possibility.

AndyB wrote:I'd still stand over what I said. The Beano can't be found here outside newsagents and supermarkets, 2000AD is getting harder to find (although Tesco sometimes has it in the biggest stores), and most of the children's magazines in convenience stores are nursery titles - Cbeebies tie-ins for the most part. Very little, if anything, for older children - just "keep them quiet" titles for the youngest.

I see what you mean, Andy. I went into a convenience store in Birmingham today, specifically to check, and all they had were Moshi Monsters mag and another nursery mag.

I've seen the Beano in my local Londis a grand total of once. It was during a Thursday and there was only one left in the shop. I'm assuming that Londis are subscribing to the old method of "Only stock the number of issues that sold last week" meaning the amount of issues they sell can never ever increase.

Old Freddy wrote:I've seen the Beano in my local Londis a grand total of once. It was during a Thursday and there was only one left in the shop. I'm assuming that Londis are subscribing to the old method of "Only stock the number of issues that sold last week" meaning the amount of issues they sell can never ever increase.

Or even "cut down on the number we stock in case it doesn't sell", which is even more ludicrous. Sometimes though they're at the mercy of the distributors, who take it upon themselves to determine how many copies a shop should have, regardless of sales.

I noticed that when Doctor Who Adventures was relaunched by Panini (taking over the title from another company), none of my local shops bothered to increase their orders.

It's a case of one step forward and two steps back unfortunately.

Phoenix wrote:

stevezodiac wrote:That's a coincidence - my mate Steve's birthday is 4 October too.

Presumably Steve 2 didn't know about that coincidence, Steve, otherwise the two of them could have wished each other a happy birthday in advance when we were all in 30th Century Comics last Saturday morning.

I forgot to say I was quite impressed by your cockney accent. For a brief second I thought I was chatting to Tommy Steele! At work we have Sheffield Students on work experience so i am hearing Yorkshire accents all day. By eck.

stevezodiac wrote:I forgot to say I was quite impressed by your cockney accent.

Wow! I know I spend a lot of time in London, Steve, in fact I'm in and out of the place like a fart in a colander, but I wasn't aware that I had acquired such an impressive accent.

stevezodiac wrote:At work we have Sheffield Students on work experience so i am hearing Yorkshire accents all day.

Why exactly are students from Sheffield doing work experience in London? Surely it would be more cost-effective if they were to do it in Sheffield or, at a pinch, Nottingham or Derby. The word gormless comes to mind, although I'm not sure who to apply it to.

We have had them for several years - some are from London who are at University at Sheffield Hallam. One is from Nottingham. I do wonder why a Londoner goes to University in Yorkshire but I suppose it is what the University has to offer curriculum wise? Or to get away from parents? They all flat share locally.

Getting back to the Dandy wouldn't it be a beezer wheeze if some of us could get some cheap old Dandys (from flea markets/charity shops) and put them on the supermarket shelves all over Britain? It would probably make the national press. Puzzled store staff everywhere.

And probably get you banned from the shop! Keep your head down, what with all the cctv. A Beezer wheeze indeed.
As for what's on the shelves, the only shop in Falkirk and Linlithgow with a lot of comics for children and older readers is WHS and that's closing soon. Some other newsagents have a smattering of titles but the only other place to buy Doctor Who Comic is Asda. The packed newsagent in Linlithgow does have the occasional DC reprint, Viz and some of the kids' comics but that's it. Actually I realise I didn't go into the big Tesco at the retail park, so perhaps they have a bigger selection. Commando will disappear from Falkirk when WHS closes.

Tesco's selection should be similar to Asda's.

Yes it did occur to me that they would not be amused and prosecute us for "reverse shoplifting" or "behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace"

Judge: "This is a serious misdemeanour and I am afraid to say there will Beano leniency...ha ha rather good, what? Beano, be no? Harummph!"

stevezodiac wrote:We have had them for several years - some are from London who are at University at Sheffield Hallam.

So these university students are slow learners. I blame the nightlife.

stevezodiac wrote:I do wonder why a Londoner goes to University in Yorkshire but I suppose it is what the University has to offer curriculum wise? Or to get away from parents?

It's to get away from the parents, to branch out, to find yourself. I chose to accept the offer from Birmingham University rather than offers from universities in the North West, such as Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield in order to avoid going back too often to Lancaster during term time as my father wanted me to do. Mind you, league and cup football at Villa Park and The Hawthorns was an added attraction, as were European nights at Molyneux. Bill Slater, who was captain of Wolves and England at the time, was my football coach on the Edgbaston site.

When I was young moving away from home was an important factor in choosing a University. Nowadays the prospect of building up a huge student debt seems to be forcing far greater numbers to restrict themselves to local courses so they can continue living at home.

You're almost guaranteed a copy of Beano in both Asda and Tesco in my local town; Marvel monthlies - no chance. 2000 ad and Judge Dredd - behave! They have long gone. There are various children's comics/mags that are available - all alien to me. Sorry to say, it ain't gonna get any better!

I can't believe its been over 5 years now since The Dandy ended,bring it back DCT.