On this day in history : 4th December 1937 – The children’s comic The Dandy is published for the first time and goes on to become one of Britain’s biggest selling comics….
It was originally published as The Dandy Comic but in July 1950 it became known simply as The Dandy…. By the 1950s it was selling some two million copies per week – although during World War Two, due to paper shortages it was published fortnightly, alternating with The Beano…. The first Dandy album was published in 1938 as The Dandy Monster Comic….
Dundee publishing company D.C. Thomson had been producing comics since its founding in 1905…. When first launched The Dandy was one of the first comics to use speech bubbles instead of captions beneath the frame….
The very first issue featured Korky the Cat, who also appeared on the front cover – Keyhole Kate- Barney Boko – Hungry Horace – Sammy and his Sister – Freddy the Fearless Fly – Magic Mike and his Magic Shop – Smarty Grandpa – Boaster Billy – Mugg Muggins – Bamboo Town – and of course Desperate Dan all made their debut…. It also featured some picture stories and text stories…. It had a selling price of 2d….
The comic ran until the 4th of December 2012, by now it was only selling around 8,000 copies per week…. It ceased publication on its 75th anniversary, although it did launch online – but this only lasted for six months…. Annuals are still published every year – and there are occasional Summer specials….
Cottage Capers 