[Chris1963]

The Dandy comic which is the UK's longest running comic is to come to an end in December after 75 years.
It's a shame but I suppose its a sign of the times as sales have fallen leading to the decision.

I used to get the Dandy and Beano comics when I was a kid in the late 60's and 70's.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/9480154/The-Dandy-will-close-with-Decembers-75th-birthday-edition.html

[narfstar]

Good news and bad. I heard it is going to digital only and this may mean opening of a digital library to past issues. I am sure that would make a lot of fans happy to be able to get a hold of these old gems. I have to admit I have a very hard time with the UK anthologies. A couple of pages per story that contnue from issue to issue. Maybe I am just not bright enough to follow a story like that. If they open an online library someone could more easily flip through issues and read a story arc straight through. Or if they were really ambitious they could make their own archive editions of features. Now that would be worthwhile.

[Chris1963]

It would be nice to read some of those old issues. I'll have to keep an eye on this.

[paw broon]

I should have mentioned this earlier but I got caught up in the discussion of it on:-
http://comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5074
and simply forgot I hadn't done it.
It's been all over the British media and here's  an article from Sat. in the centre spread of The Scotsman:-
http://www.scotsman.com/news/stephen-mcginty-the-sign-of-desperate-times-1-2474782
As someone on comics.co.uk points out, it's not the best example of research in the world but at least it's there.
Narfstar, re. online library, there is a general feeling that it won't happen but if it were to, DC Thomson is the publisher most likely to do it.  The discussion on comics uk re. comics on cd-rom, despite having got a bit lively at times, has featured many opinions about e-libraries.  :-
http://comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5048
I hesitated to post this link as I posted a reply there which now seems a bit embarrassing.  But then again, I did get a bit annoyed, for about 10 minutes. (You had to be there).  I just don't think rudeness has any place on these good forums.
Interestingly, many UK classic strips which haven't been re-printed in UK and show no signs of ever being re-printed, have been done in recent years in nice Spanish volumes.  So, it can be done but the Spanish editions are published by companies who realise their value and know there is a market.  It is unlikely that physical copies would sell enough copies in Britain.  Fingers crossed for e-libraries, everyone.

[narfstar]

Shouldn't these companies realize that digital bootleg copies are already circulating? They get nothing from them. They could even download the bootleg copies and not have to scan themselves. They could put up 99 cent editions and at least get something from them.

[paw broon]

Of course, but there is a general feeling that the companies just aren't interested.  My information suggests that the current rights holder for IPC material only wants it for Dredd and they have little idea what they have pre-1960, or if they do, whether it exists.
You have to be here in UK to feel the lack of interest in old comics.  And the derision and sneering that can greet the news that someone is a comics fan.  This in a country where we have some of the worst examples of gutter journalism and lcd press in the world.  Fortunately, there are folk who want to keep our comics history alive.  There is a post on cuk re old copies of Whizzer and Chips which are deteriorating rapidly and the only way to protect the comics will be to scan them and quickly.
An interesting point has also been made re. the blokes who made copies of old Dr. Who shows years ago, when they heard they were going to be scrubbed.  Those same guys who were criminal pirates, are now heroes for saving the shows and the BBC has turned to them to get the material back for re-issue.

[Roygbiv666]

It's almost as if ... old stuff can have value in a new package ... is there any kind of precedent for such a thing?

PS
That was sarcasm. Not directed at Paw

Of course, but there is a general feeling that the companies just aren't interested.  My information suggests that the current rights holder for IPC material only wants it for Dredd and they have little idea what they have pre-1960, or if they do, whether it exists.
You have to be here in UK to feel the lack of interest in old comics.  And the derision and sneering that can greet the news that someone is a comics fan.  This in a country where we have some of the worst examples of gutter journalism and lcd press in the world.  Fortunately, there are folk who want to keep our comics history alive.  There is a post on cuk re old copies of Whizzer and Chips which are deteriorating rapidly and the only way to protect the comics will be to scan them and quickly.
An interesting point has also been made re. the blokes who made copies of old Dr. Who shows years ago, when they heard they were going to be scrubbed.  Those same guys who were criminal pirates, are now heroes for saving the shows and the BBC has turned to them to get the material back for re-issue.

[macsnafu]

Meh, just because someone's in business doesn't mean that they're good businessmen. Maybe they need a nudge or two.

[narfstar]

So has anyone contacted IPC and asked to buy the rights to all their non-Dredd material for a token Euro?

[paw broon]

There are examples of interested individuals requesting rights to reprint various strips but, I believe, in no case has permission been granted or even much interest been shown by the rights holder.  As opposed to this:-
http://www.mistycomic.co.uk/Cavern_Of_Dreams.html
a site where Egmont have allowed reprints of various Misty weekly stories, despite also having released physical specials which collect favourite stories.  Some nice art in there.  I'll post the link on the links section also.
Now if only............

[narfstar]

I actually sent an email to the PR department suggesting they allow us to host for PR purposes. No response

[paw broon]

Excellent idea.  Wish I'd thought of it.  But it takes time for requests to work through these big companies.