This was unexpected! There's a new partwork coming soon and this time the spotlight will be on The Beano and The Dandy!
The Beano and Dandy Collection will comprise of a magazine focusing on a different character every issue, packaged with a hand-painted figurine of that character. The magazine will include four pages of comic strip from the archives plus background features on the highlighted character, an ongoing history of comics, and a look back at what else was happening in that relevant year. Figurines scheduled for the early issues include Dennis the Menace, Roger the Dodger, Desperate Dan, and Plug.
It sounds like this will be similar to the long-running partworks that feature figurines of Marvel and DC superheroes but it's great to see British comics in the spotlight for a change. An ideal new launch for the 75th anniversaries of the two comics and it ensures that The Dandy will still have a regular presence on the shelves of newsagents in some form at least. (Although bear in mind that, after the initial launch issues, shops sometimes only stock partworks on standing order.)
Sometimes, partworks only have a trial launch in selected areas (as the Marvel Graphic Novel Collection did before being relaunched nationwide) and I don't know if that applies to this publication.
UPDATE 24/10/12: The publishers have informed me that The Beano and Dandy Collection was launched on September 5th but is only available in Newcastle at present, as a test launch.
Visit the official website here:
http://www.beanoanddandy.co.uk/index.html
Brilliant. Yes, please do keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteThe website doesn't seem to say when the first issue will be out. Any ideas? Am I just missing something?
ReplyDeleteI've contacted the publisher to ask when it's coming out (and if it'll be available all over the UK, not just in a 6 issue test region) so I'll post an update as soon as I hear anything.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that when it is published there'll be TV advertising as there usually is with these things.
Newcastle? If they were going to do it in only one place, they should've done it in Dundee.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that Dundee would be neutral enough for a representative test launch. They know it'd sell well there. Newcastle makes more sense.
ReplyDeleteWell, i've ordered it, will have to see if anything actually arrives
ReplyDeleteIt might be worth contacting them via their website to see how many issues you'll get.
ReplyDeleteI've sent hem an email, we'll see if they reply....
ReplyDeleteJust had a reply from them:
ReplyDeleteThank you for your email.
Kindly be advised that there is a planned number of 60 issues in the collection.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further assistance.
They ought to explain that this is a test launch though. I can't see them running 60 issues just in Newcastle. Ah well, I could be wrong.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's been a success (well i hope so).
ReplyDeleteI'll post as and when anything turns up.
Anyone else going for it?
Have just received written proof that i will be receiving the collection as 2 issues every 4 weeks
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it.....
As it was launched on September 5th will you be receiving the 8 issues published so far before it settles to the 2 issues every 4 weeks frequency?
ReplyDeleteI don't know. It says the first delivery is 1 issue, 2nd delivery will be 2 issues (one free) + 2 x pin badges and binder.
ReplyDelete3rd delivery is 2 issues and 2 tier stand, with the 4th delivery being 2 issues and free bonus Dennis,Gnasher & Gnipper figurine.
After that it says to allow 28 days for the first delivery, and they will be dispatched 2 issues every 4 weeks.
So you may well be right, bit of a guessing game.
I'll post as soon as something turns up
Thanks OxfordDickie. It'll be good to hear what you think of them. Oddly, there doesn't seem to be any comments online about this partwork yet from anyone who has a copy.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's time to udate this, and possibly put it to bed.
ReplyDeleteThis morningi received a largish box, and on opening it i found issues 2 & 3.
I like the covers, for me it's a good start. It comes with a model of Plug at his ugliest.
Issue 3 comes with a superb Desperate Dan eating a cow pie, this is just superb.
Now the bad news. Included is a letter stating that due to "production difficulties" this title has ceased production,and they have sent these two issues free of charge along with a small metal torch key ring.
This is a real shame, especially as i have the models to see i want the rest!!! Grrrr!
Perhaps there might be some interest in a scan of the covers and photo's of the models?
Many thanks for the news. When the Marvel graphic novel collection finished its trial run (4 issues I think) it had a similar announcement, and that returned for an ongoing relaunch.
ReplyDeleteTherefore it's possible that the collection may yet return. Let's hope so! I would guess that if it does relaunch nationally it'll be in January, when most other partworks start.
As for your offer of cover/model images, - yes please! Click on my profile pic to get my e-mail address. Thanks in advance.
Did that Oxford Dickie chap ever send you those scans Lew?
ReplyDeleteNot a Dickie bird.
ReplyDelete