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Post by PenguinGuy on Aug 22, 2008 20:14:47 GMT 1
ABC have released their newest sales figures, and it looks like something terribly wrong is happening at DC Thomson. Exhibit A: The BeanoSales have slipped a very unhealthy 10,000+ in the past 6 months, to 61,000. Very bad indeed in the month of its 70th birthday. Exhibit B: BeanoMaxNew kid on the block BeanoMax is doing quite well, but not at all well enough. Its average sale per month is 48,000, down 3,000. Take into account that the Beano is weekly, then chop Max's sales figure by the 4 weeks. The result? 12,000 per week. And finally... Exhibit C: The Dandy XtremeIt peaked at over 2,000,000 in 1950, and nearly 60 years on, is down 5,000 since last time to a shameful 23,000. Per fortnight. Which means that the Dandy is DC Thomson's least favourite boy's magazine/comic - or whatever it is - averaging at a measly 11,500 per week. Such a shame, even for our rival. ***UPDATE*** The Dandy is currently the lowest selling kids comic in the UK. So, I ask the question...may this be on the lines...? YOU be the judge.
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Post by mooneyman on Aug 22, 2008 20:41:58 GMT 1
I personally think you're neglecting a few things, PG.
The Beano has the new series of Dennis the Menace and Gnasher on TV coming which will boost sales quite a healthy amount. Also, the Beano will not be forced to go into a merger unless sales go under 50,000, hence was the problem with the Dandy. Of course, BeanoMax is just a small sister publication.
As for the Dandy? I expect if those low sales continue or somehow worsen, the title shall be permanently dropped. This has been 3 'refurbishments' of the title and if it continues this bad a few characters which ranked high in reader polls with move to the Beano, and the main publication will go. It's more than likely that Bananaman will go into the Beano (Likely under the talents of Tom Paterson or Barry Appleby...) Desperate Dan might go in as well, with luck under Mr. Smart.
DC Thomson know now, from watching the market, Mergers do not work. At all. The 'GREAT NEWS INSIDE' message (A lot of people won't get that joke...) won't be used again for a fair few years yet.
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Post by PenguinGuy on Aug 23, 2008 8:45:25 GMT 1
Ahaa... Great explanation. At least that worry is out of my head
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Post by mooneyman on Aug 23, 2008 11:16:31 GMT 1
We're safe, don't worry. But with the Dandy? Can't help but be worried. I fear the public's lost interest. Beano and Dandy comic though? No, not unless we get desperate.
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Post by PenguinGuy on Aug 23, 2008 15:16:31 GMT 1
If the Dandy loses another 4 readers or so, we might as well say "bye-bye"!! Desperate as in...Dan?
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Post by mooneyman on Aug 23, 2008 17:18:08 GMT 1
Now THE lowest selling comic in the UK, THAT is worrying. I'd consider it dropped. Sad but true...
*headdesk*
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Post by PenguinGuy on Aug 23, 2008 20:45:26 GMT 1
Only above 2000AD, which technically is teen-adult-ish, so the Dandy is the lowest selling kids comic. Oh well, at least that means I'll have an extra £1.99/£2.50 spending money each fortnight!! Anyone fancy bringing back "Magic Xtreme" or "SparkyMAX"?
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Post by mooneyman on Aug 23, 2008 20:55:16 GMT 1
I still think the Sparky would have been big right now. As for 2000AD, that's a niche audience in comparison, and a cult thing as well. THIS IS RAPIDLY GETTING OFF TOPIC Between the two of us....
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Post by PenguinGuy on Aug 23, 2008 21:29:10 GMT 1
If/WHEN the Dandy ends, I think it should be replaced by Nutty. I mean, come on - this time last year it basically was Nutty, what with Bananaman, Cuddles and Blubba & the Bear all appearing in "Dandy Comix".
Yes, I know DC Thomson won't listen to one reader. But if we all have a go... I feel a new poll coming upon me!!
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Post by mooneyman on Aug 23, 2008 21:39:38 GMT 1
I have a few old issues of Nutty, and I really do enjoy them... It's always funny when a bank manager bursts into tears and has a tantrum about the loss of the bank's money. It could've probably led a fair life.
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Post by PenguinGuy on Aug 24, 2008 13:51:58 GMT 1
If Nutty was still around, it would probably be my favourite (either that or Max, I'm not so sure..) If only...
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Post by PenguinGuy on Aug 24, 2008 18:28:05 GMT 1
Sorry for the double post...but I had an idea!! When the Dandy ends, BeanoMAX should rename itself to just MAX...and feature: - Max
- Dennis the Menace
- Wallace and Gromit
- Derek!!
- Roger the Dodger
- The Numskulls
- Billy Whizz
- Minnie the Minx
- The Bash Street Kids
- The Neds
- Desperate Dan
- Bananaman
- Ollie Fliptrik
- Cuddles and Dimples
- Puss n Boots
Mind you...if they had that many characters they'd run out of pages!! Ah well, some of them anyway.
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Post by Menaceman on Aug 24, 2008 22:25:48 GMT 1
I remember years ago I found a copy of a comic called 'Funny Fortnightly'. I'd never heard of it before but it was a great read! I wish I knew where I had packed it away.
On the original topic, if the Dandy where to go then it would be a sad day for Britain even though I don't read it myself.
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Post by PenguinGuy on Aug 25, 2008 10:11:51 GMT 1
I have the Funny annual 1991!! It features lots of IPC reprints like the Best of Buster, Whizzer and Chips and Whoopee. Oddly enough, it was called "Funny Fortnightly Annual 1991" Wouldn't they call it Funny YEARLY??
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Post by mooneyman on Aug 26, 2008 22:00:13 GMT 1
The only ONLY comic I have ever read that EVER came close to the distinctive spark of the Beano and original Dandy, was, surprise surprise...Nutty. IPC tried to capture it, and, although some were very fair, It just didn't have it. It had Leo Baxendale, Tom Paterson, Robert Nixon, but didn't have it.
It was a sad day when Nutty folded for the last time, and I'd love to see it back...
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