Image: Stella McCartney
The Dandy comic may sadly be long gone but Beano Studios has teamed up with fashion designer Stella McCartney to bring some of its characters back into the public eye for her autumn 2017 collection.
Korky the Cat, Dinah Mo and mischievous twins Cuddles and Dimples all feature on the print, which appears in 15 pieces of the designer’s ready-to-wear collection.
Styles include an all-in-one, outwear jackets lined with the print, dresses and separates, t-shirts, intarsia knits, denim jeans and a sweatshirt with embroidery applique.
The collection will be available in stores worldwide from May, but it’s strictly for the well-heeled Dandy fan – prices range from £170 for a t-shirt to £1,260 for a parka!
Image: Stella McCartney
“The humour and artistry of comic strip animation touches your heart and your memory bank,” says Stella McCartney.
“In this collaboration, fun and fashion go hand in hand and we are able to incorporate sustainable, stylish, timeless pieces while celebrating the inner child in our spirit.”
“We’re delighted to be working alongside Stella McCartney and her team to give iconic British comic characters, Korky, Dinah Mo and Cuddles & Dimples a fresh new context,” commented Emma Scott, CEO at Beano Studios.
The Dandy Issue One, published in 1937.
“Our mission at Beano Studios is to entertain all kids (even grown up ones) by bringing our infamous rebellious streak to life in a range of new ideas, from fashion to movies to apps.
“Thanks Stella – we love your take on our world.”
First published in 1937, six months before its sister comic The Beano, The Dandy entertained children weekly for decades with the adventures of characters such as Desperate Dan and Beryl the Peril, until the demise of its print edition back in 2012. Sadly, an attempt to continue the title as a digital comic foundered, but The Dandy annual is still published every year.
Korky the Cat first appeared in The Dandy in 1937, eventually becoming the comic’s cover star for many years. 10-year-old Dinah Mo always caused chaos and destruction wherever she went, as did cheeky toddler twins Cuddles and Dimples, who arrived in the comic in 1986.
The Dandy featured a cameo from Stella McCartney’s father Sir Paul McCartney in its final weekly issue in 2012. Back in 1963, when The Beatles were hitting their stride in the pop charts, he said it was his ambition to appear in the comic.
Sir Paul appears alongside the likes of Desperate Dan, unaware of the strength of his formidable handshake, grimacing as the cowboy crushes the bass player’s fingers (thankfully the ones on his right hand – Sir Paul plays a left-handed guitar).
Paul then lead 50 of the comic’s most famous characters in a sing-along version of “Hey Jude”, including Korky and Bananman, who still appears in Beano comic today.
• Stella McCartney Official Site
• Buy the 2017 Dandy annual from amazon.co.uk – using this link helps support downthetubes
Sir Paul McCartney pays tribute to The Dandy in its last ever print edition
Desperate Dan just doesn’t know his own strength – and Sir Paul has forgotten, too!
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “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: British Comics, downthetubes News, Merchandise, Other Worlds
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