DC Thomson has announced subscription prices for its long-running war comic, Commando will rise in September – but are still considerably less than cover price, so you may want to consider taking one out. The news comes just as a new European levy saw an end to subscription availability for European-based British comic fans.
Britain’s longest-serving war comic has been printing stories of action and adventure since 1961, offering four issues every two weeks – two new issues and two classic reprints from their Silver and Gold collections. (Check out our intel the latest issues here)
Loved by all ages, crammed with great action and adventure stories, the stories span an assortment of conflicts, from the real world to the slightly offbeat; every issue featuring a different story taking you to the heart of battle everywhere from land, air and sea.
Subscriptions available through direct debit payment from DC Thomson here currently start at just £15 for your first 16 issues, including free UK delivery and early access, too. This auto-renews at £28.99 every 16 issues. Longer subscription periods of 52 and 104 issues are also available.
European Subscriptions Cease for Commando, 2000AD and The Phoenix
Unfortunately, just like 2000AD publisher Rebellion and The Phoenix, DC Thomson are currently unable to accept new print subscription orders for delivery in Europe, the result of the European Union implementing a flat €3 customs duty on all imported small parcels valued under €150. Introduced to curb the surge of ultra-cheap goods from outside the bloc, particularly China, its implementation had an immediate impact on retailers and publishers here.
The charge applies to goods based outside the EU at the time the order is placed, which meant DC Thomson, Rebellion and David Fickling Comics can realistically continue supplying regular comic subscriptions to EU addresses.
“[The surcharge] is such a large increase in cost relative to the product price and the previous shipping cost on which our subscription rates are based, that we cannot continue to distribute our subscriptions to EU customers for the amounts previously charged,” Rebellion said of cancelling availability of subscriptions to both 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine to EU-based Tharg fans.
“This charge applies to goods based outside the EU at the time the order is placed, which includes the UK – meaning that at the current moment in time we cannot distribute our regular subscription issues to addresses within the EU. We have been investigating alternative mailing solutions and will continue to do so, but have been unable to secure any preferential options at this time.”
“We’re genuinely sorry,” said The Phoenix team in a message to subscribers. “We know how much it means to have The Phoenix arrive through the door each week, and we really wish we were able to continue sending it to you.”
This new levy doesn’t just impact big publishers. As The Beat noted last week, Anyone who has taken an online order set to be shipped to the EU – especially those with Kickstarter backers to fulfil beware.
Shane Chebsey, independent comic publisher at Scratch Comics, notes the system “really is a bit of a Russian roulette… Some packages just sail through, while some get checked. Also, some EU countries are more strict than others – Ireland is one of the worst unfortunately in my experience.”
On top of the new levy, EU comic fans are suffering, too. One Irish comic fan reported recieving a package from the US to Ireland of five comics. It was charged €3 Euro per comic, so €15. But on top that, An Post, Ireland’s national post service charged an additional €6.95 handling fee for opening and checking the number of items to be charged, the resealing and delivering. So a grand total of €21.95 added in total.
“I don’t think this is in any way sustainable,” they commented. “It’s going to kill international comics sales.”
The 77 Publishing, publisher of The77 comic anthology, has made this statement:
“Unfortunately due to changes in shipping costs from the UK to EU territories which have seen a 175% increase over the past year plus a 3 Euro per consignment charge being implemented, it is with regret we are suspending all shipping services.
“To enable our many readers in the EU to complete collections, and who have found it impossible to pay these exorbitant charges, we are offering a 25% discount code on digital orders. EU customers – use code 25PERCENT at our online store: The77Comic.net”
Publishers Weekly (registration required) In the UK, reports trade bodies representing traditional book publishers are hoping for EU Tariff Exemption.
“Exports of English language print titles to the EU brought in £521.6 million last year, so an exemption could happen with some lobbying,” notes Dean Simons, “but when and how might wait until 2028.
Lobby group Comic Book UK is among the organisation calling for Ministers to urgently seek a publishing exception to new EU customs fees to avoid major harm being done to the UK’s comic industry. The sector body, which represents numerous British comic companies, warns that action is needed to avoid the new regime having a catastrophic impact on the UK’s comic industry.
EU Protecting its Own Retailers
The levy was first announced last December, the EU arguing the new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail.
The permanent customs duty regime will apply once the EU Customs Data Hub is established. The EU Customs Data Hub will fully integrate new customs data related to e-commerce, providing customs services with a complete picture of goods entering or exiting the EU. It becomes operational for e-commerce goods Modernising the EU customs union in July 2028, followed by voluntary use for all other businesses in 2031.
“The temporary customs duty of €3 per item will apply to parcels sent directly to consumers from third countries,” the EU outlined. “This measure is separate from the ongoing negotiation of an EU handling fee on e-commerce parcels. While the customs duty eliminates a competitive advantage that the e-commerce operators currently enjoy, the handling fee is meant to compensate for the increasing costs that customs authorities incur for supervising the very significant flow of parcels.”
The Irish Sea Trade Border means this new levy should not apply to parcels coming from mainland Britain into Northern Ireland.
Not all EU politicians are impressed by the new levy. Malta’s Nationalist MEP Peter Agius has said his lobbying against the €3 EU levy, for example, does not contradict his previous pledges to protect local businesses from unfair internet giants.
• More on EU Custom Reform Here
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, International Comic News
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