The future of something which was an integral part of my childhood – and many others’ – hangs in the brink

The Dandy, the UK’s longest running comic, is currently being looked at closely by its publisher DCThompson to see if there is any point in keeping it running.
The comic – which has characters like Desparate Dan (pictured), Banana Man, Korky the Cat, Cuddles and Dimples and Beryl the Peril – has suffered a massive drop in circulation

DC Thomson, based in Dundee, is reviewing all its titles ‘due to the challenges being faced by the publishing industry’, but added that no final decision has been made.
However, there is a sunny-side. The Dandy, currently in its 75th year, having started in 1937, will be available online even if the hardcopies are pulled from the shelves of the newsagents.

According to the PA, the comic used to sell over two million copies weekly at its high point in the 50s but is now moving a mere 8,000.

As is the way now, a lot of people are tweeting about saving the comic and it has not gone un-noticed by DC Thompson and a spokeswoman said: “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.

“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’ve a lot of planning to do to ensure that our brands and characters can live on in other platforms for future generations to enjoy.”

It is a sad day indeed when something so important to so many people faces the death knoll.