The Dandy faces closure two years after radical redesign

The potential cessation of the comic’s publication comes as part of publisher DC Thomson’s review of its magazine portfolio, a move which, according to a spokeswoman, also puts the portfolio’s online output ‘under review’.

In a statement issued by DC Thomson, a company spokesperson says, ‘We are carrying out a review of our Magazines business to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing publishing industry.

‘Throughout 2012, DC Thomson is continuing to develop its magazines operation and portfolio to create an efficient business model that will build on the strength of our existing brands and products.’

In 2010 the new-look Dandy’s launch saw the introduction of 18 new characters in an editorial re-design led by the DC Thomson in-house team with visual guidelines from artist Jamie Smart. As prior to the redesign, individual comic strips were outsourced to new and existing Dandy artists.

The new look heralded a move to feature more  ‘celebrity’ comic strips, debuting with a strip written by TV star Harry Hill and illustrated by Dennis the Menace artist Nigel Parkinson.

However, the comic, due to celebrate its 75^th birthday with a special exhibition at the Cartoon Museum in London, is now rumoured to be moving to an online-only format, with stars such as cow-pie eating Desperate Dan mooted to be moving across to sister comic The Beano.

The statement adds, ‘There are many challenges within the industry at present, but we’re excited that the digital revolution has also given us an opportunity to innovate and develop. 

‘We’re celebrating the fact that The Dandy has been in print for 75 years and we’re doing a lot of planning to ensure that our brands and characters can live on in other platforms for future generations to enjoy.’