Dandy Relaunch THIS WEDNESDAY!!!

[Digifiend]

Did Dandy Extreme fail then? I havn't kept track, but wondered if it has failed! `If` it has then my view is the `gross-out` humour (my term) Snot/Fart etc `ain't as popular as DCT think. `

This is why I have me doubts on the long term future of the new Dandy because it doesn't seem much different from `Extreme` not in my eyes! But! I hope to be proven wrong as others are enjoying it, so, for their sake, I hope it works...

It was the feature pages which didn't work, not the comic strips, hence the direction they're now taking.

[philcom55]

I don't know about other branches but my local Sainsburys has now labeled Dandy as 'Manager's Choice - Recommended Reading' for the third week running! Methinks DC Thomson must be doing something right!

I really do like the idea of featuring comic strip versions of different celebrities every week, but I can't help but wonder whether DCT have to get their permission first (and whether they then have to negotiate an 'appearance fee'). Presumably this was generally the case with Film Fun and Radio Fun, yet over the years British comics also seemed to get away with many unauthorized likenesses that would have swiftly landed an American publisher in all sorts of trouble. For example I can't believe that Universal Pictures would have ever allowed Ken Reid to base his Frankie Stein so closely on their iconic image of Frankenstein's monster (neck bolt and all! ) if it had appeared in the US. However, to my mind the series that came closest to the new Dandy in mercilessly lampooning a new TV personality every other week was probably 'Charlie's Choice' in Smash! where Brian Lewis produced a wonderful succession of star likenesses ranging from the Men from UNCLE and Emma Peel right down to Captain Troy Tempest and his famous submarine.

...My only slight, teeny-weeny criticism about Dandy's new direction so far is the fact that to my eyes the first three covers seemed just a little bit too similar - to the extent that I might have thought they were all the same monthly issue if I hadn't known better! I wonder if anybody else experienced the same reaction?

- Phil Rushton

[kevf]

I agree the three first front covers look too similar. I was talking to a parent friend last night who hadn't bought issue 2 for his 8 year old, thinking it was still issue 1 on sale.

Even a different coloured background would have helped, or a noticably different image. Harry & Knitted Character, Harry & Simon's trousers - or even better Harry & Dan or Harry & Korky or, eventually, Harry and one of the other characters who will still be in the comic in a year's time, which might not be the case for Harry. (Aren't Avalon going, at some point or other, to ask for, oh I don't know, money?)

Whatever, comic looks great, we're all raving about it, keep up the good work. But do vary those covers.

Kev F

[NP]

(Aren't Avalon going, at some point or other, to ask for, oh I don't know, money?)

You think we're doing this without telling Avalon?
How odd.

[kevf]

I knew Avalon would have to be involved, I just think they're being uncharacteristically generous. Having had run-ins with them on & off over the last 15 years, and knowing their reputation in the comedy business, I'm used to them being very hands-on and squeezing money out of whoever they can whenever they can.

That said, I've worked with DCT over the same period of time, The two companies have a lot in common.

Kev F

[Digifiend]

The covers should show Harry in a scene related to his story IMHO, like the Beano does with Dennis, rather than just using a headshot. That makes the covers look different every time even if the same background colour is used two weeks running.

And lol kevf, it's been stated already that Harry asked to appear in The Dandy. Check NP's blog. Besides, Avalon's just the TV Burp production company, Harry's contract is with ITV. As far as I can see, Avalon needed to give permission for use of Knitted Character, but that's all.

[The Hornet]

I don't know about other branches but my local Sainsburys has now labeled Dandy as 'Manager's Choice - Recommended Reading' for the third week running! Methinks DC Thomson must be doing something right!

I really do like the idea of featuring comic strip versions of different celebrities every week, but I can't help but wonder whether DCT have to get their permission first (and whether they then have to negotiate an 'appearance fee'). Presumably this was generally the case with Film Fun and Radio Fun, yet over the years British comics also seemed to get away with many unauthorized likenesses that would have swiftly landed an American publisher in all sorts of trouble. For example I can't believe that Universal Pictures would have ever allowed Ken Reid to base his Frankie Stein so closely on their iconic image of Frankenstein's monster (neck bolt and all! ) if it had appeared in the US. However, to my mind the series that came closest to the new Dandy in mercilessly lampooning a new TV personality every other week was probably 'Charlie's Choice' in Smash! where Brian Lewis produced a wonderful succession of star likenesses ranging from the Men from UNCLE and Emma Peel right down to Captain Troy Tempest and his famous submarine.

...My only slight, teeny-weeny criticism about Dandy's new direction so far is the fact that to my eyes the first three covers seemed just a little bit too similar - to the extent that I might have thought they were all the same monthly issue if I hadn't known better! I wonder if anybody else experienced the same reaction?

- Phil Rushton

I have to agree with Phil, the cover of the first three issues are too similar, I nearly didn't pick it up the second issue in my local ASDA last week because of this! This week's issue I was on the look out for it, so didn't miss it.

Grumble over, I have to say that I think this week's issue is the best yet, loved Lew's Kid Cops especially the title strip with the old Dandy mastheads in it (whos idea was that!) Loved the Clive 5 take on Ben Ten. And isn't that a relative of Tom Thug in Postman Prat's story!

I've been so impressed that I have now subscribed to it (have to have something to subscribe to now Classics has finished!)

Steve (The Hornet) Saunders

The Hornet

[Lew Stringer]

Grumble over, I have to say that I think this week's issue is the best yet, loved Lew's Kid Cops especially the title strip with the old Dandy mastheads in it (whos idea was that!) Loved the Clive 5 take on Ben Ten. And isn't that a relative of Tom Thug in Postman Prat's story!

Thanks. The masthead was my idea and Craig (the editor) was happy to go along with it. I thought it'd be appropriate as the script was about the Dad talking about reading The Dandy when he was a boy, so hopefully some real Dads can say "Ah, I remember when it looked like that". The covers were scanned from my collection. I'm really pleased that it printed with such clarity.

[Lew Stringer]

I really do like the idea of featuring comic strip versions of different celebrities every week, but I can't help but wonder whether DCT have to get their permission first (and whether they then have to negotiate an 'appearance fee').

Apart from Harry Hill, the other celebs are used in parody, so I wouldn't think any rights would be required. That's how Mad Magazine has gotten away with it for over 50 years anyway.

If the other celebs appeared in regular strips like Harry, then it'd be a different matter, but not for one-off spoofs.

[MikeC]

Kev F out of the Doctor Who Adventures (not as catchy as Out Of The Beano, but it'll have to do till DCT come to their senses)

I knew Avalon would have to be involved, I just think they're being uncharacteristically generous. Having had run-ins with them on & off over the last 15 years, and knowing their reputation in the comedy business, I'm used to them being very hands-on and squeezing money out of whoever they can whenever they can.

That said, I've worked with DCT over the same period of time, The two companies have a lot in common.

Kev F

[Peter Gray]

Kids Cop was better than Postman Prat this week..
very clever..you've found out us adults! we do laugh at farts privatly at home
Love the spy in the house who caught that guilty laugh of the Dad.. well done Lew.

Also love the monsters in Harry hill..
Robot on the run is getting better..maybe they'll be doing Noels beard next after the Cheryls hair..
the new strip will have to see how it develops..
also likd seeing Desperate Dan on the back and very funny..

[Digifiend]

Makes a change to see something other than an advert on the back cover (although there is still an advert page - it's inside, advertising the annuals - no external paid ads at all, just like it was until the late 80s!).

And yes, that bloke in the Postman Prat strip does look like an adult Tom Thug. Wouldn't be out of character for him either!

[philcom55]

On the whole I'm on the Cops' side when it comes to the fart jokes: of course they're silly and childish - but then that's rather the point! Apart from the olfactory element it seems to me that the Phantom Pharter is a direct descendant of Spike Milligan's classic 'Phantom Raspberry Blower of London Town' from The Two Ronnies.

- Phil Rushton

[Lew Stringer]

Makes a change to see something other than an advert on the back cover (although there is still an advert page - it's inside, advertising the annuals - no external paid ads at all, just like it was until the late 80s!).

I always like to see a comic strip on the back page of a humour comic because that's what I was used to as a kid. I like to see strips starting on the cover too; in strip form, not just one big picture. (It'd be nice to see Harry Hill begin on the cover, one big pic followed by two smaller ones in TV Comic Ken Dodd fashion, but that's probably unlikely these days.)

But what is best? Strips on the front cover or the back cover? There's only one way to find out...

And yes, that bloke in the Postman Prat strip does look like an adult Tom Thug. Wouldn't be out of character for him either!

Tom would have ended up hurting himself.

[big bad bri]

last wed when i bought dandy in my local whs there was 9 copies left,last night just before closing time they had 9 copies left so if i am the only one who bought it in a week dandys future not looking to good me thinks.
brian