Some 75 years after Desperate Dan scoffed his first cow pie, the Dandy is going digital.
And the good news is today’s generation of young readers still love the new version.
DC Thomson invited a group of youngsters to the company’s Dundee offices to put the digital comic through a top-secret test drive.
On the eve of the final printed copies hitting the newsstands, our panel was unanimous in its view: the new version at Dandy.com will still have readers in stitches.
Katie (8) said: ”I thought it was really good. My favourite character is Desperate Dan because of his big tummy.”
As well as the classic comic strips, Dandy.com is packed with interactive games, videos and jokes.
William (8) said: ”I’ve been playing the Bananaman game. It’s really good fun and I’m trying to beat my high score.”
The youngsters were treated to a surprise visit by Dandy characters Bananaman and Desperate Dan, who helped them run the rule over the new website.
Craig Ferguson, editor of the digital Dandy, said: ”It’s been a really exciting process and we’ve been able to do a lot of things that we wanted to do with the printed version but couldn’t.
”With all the video, sound and game content, we’ve really added to the reading experience, but at it’s heart it’s still a traditional comic offering escapism for children.”
The first edition of The Dandy hit the shops on December 4 1937 and featured Korky the Kat on its cover.
Over the years readers have got to know other characters, including Bananaman, Beryl the Peril and Brassneck.
The Dandy is the world’s third-longest running comic, trailing only Detective Comics of the USA and the Italian Il Giornalino.
Our panel of young readers was convinced Dandy.com has just such a long and distinguished future ahead of it.
The 75th anniversary bumper issue of The Dandy, complete with collector’s reprint of the very first edition, is on sale from newsagents today.
Visit http://dandy.com to see the new digital version and get your hands on fresh free content with the first issue.