UK readers: A No Ad Comic for your Kids, DFC

This is a non-Edna topic, but since I do get a large percentage of UK and European visitors, I am kicking myself a bit for not mentioning this earlier, even though I did have an earlier mention and had some side links about it.

If you live in the UK, you may have heard about this already, but this weekend you maybe reading more about the DFC. Hopefully, your kids may have told you about it, after they heard about it from school. The comic will be starting to arrive at fans doors May 30, 2008.

It is subscription only. You can order at the DFC website. (And it is available to anyone, worldwide.)

It maybe a bit higher in price than you normally pay for a comic, but this comic will have NO ADS! A rarity in this media filled world. Just 36-pages chuck full of continuing stories from talented artist and writers. A weekly adventure for your kids, and adults, who still love comics.

So check it out, if you like your kids to be exposed to original stories and not just the current tv characters.

Update November 25, 2008 - The DFC Gift Subscription from Amazon UK - A one month subscription for £12.00 with Free shipping in the UK with Super Saver Delivery.

Update: June 4, 2008 - Today I ordered the first edition of the DFC. I would love to have a full subscription, but maybe later. For now, they are offering single issues for purchase (roughly $7.00 each). I will report back once I receive it. The reviews so far, have been very good, so decided to at least get the issue edition, while available.

Update: June 15, 2008 - Just a follow-up to let you know I have not forgotten to update this. I have not received The DFC yet. I did order on June 4th, so still looking forward to seeing the comic arrive. It did say on the order, it could take up to 28 days. It has been 11 days, so far. I don't know exactly what class they are mailing it. I do know, when I mail to the UK, First Class, it takes about 6-10 days, usually. Once and a while, maybe longer, but on the whole, quite good. Planning to post, when The DFC does come, so if watching, stay tune...

Update: June 24, 2004 - Today my copy of the DFC arrived! I ordered issue One on June 4th, and it arrived safely today. I have not opened it yet, as I am saving the moment until tomorrow. A bit like Christmas, and after 20 days, what is one more day... (Besides, tomorrow is the 25th.)

Update: June 28, 2008 - Well, I did open my copy of the DFC on the 25th and I did enjoy it. The only downside was the printing of my copy.

The printing of my issue was off, as some of the comic strips were quite darkly printed (especially The Boss and John Blake, where the action are hard to see). The overall printing was a bit washed out and on the grayish side, as well. BUT I have read the UK copies have been very well printed, so I might have gotten a bad print run.

It is very refreshing to find a comic with no ads or TV characters. I don't know how the kids are liking it, but I found the comic has a good mixture of stories to please different ages.

For me, I enjoyed the humor strips of Good Dog, Bad Dog, Super Animal Adventure Squid and the gentle honor of Vern and Lettuce. Each of these should please the younger readers.

I did like the dream like beauty of Spider Moon, but not enough story to really grab me in (could be best in the longer version).

And I was intrigued by Mo-Bot High. I certainly wanted to learn more of what was going on (even though I am not a huge robot fan, these days). (Mo-Bot High was best printed in my issue.)

I have not seen the actual bill yet (exchange rates change so much) but the estimate cost for one issue was about ($7). (Update June 29th: I saw the actual bill and it was $7.87 for this issue.) The billing said 'up to 28 days' so it did come under days stated.

I don't know how long the regular weekly subscription would take, but my single copy took 20 days to receive it.

Would I subscription? If I had the money to spare, and lived in the UK, yes. Not living in the UK, and buying at the current exchange rates, it is difficult, with the prices of everything skyrocketing these days and the dollar sinking like a rock in a river (never knowing where it will land today).

But if you like to try it, and especially if you are in the UK, at least they offer single issues to get a feel for it. There are some reports on the web and reviews, if you do some research, if you like to know more before buying. (Below are just a few reviews.)

I only saw this one issue, but I, for one, would love to see The DFC succeed and grow.

Here are some links to learn more about this totally ad free weekly British Comic.
Interviews from Alex Fitch with
John Aggs, Patrice Aggs & Jim Medway>

Interviews from Alex Fitch
with Philip Pullman, Nick Abadzis & David Fickling >

List of REVIEWS of DFC First Edition from
Garen Ewing's Rainbow Orchid blog>

BBC Channel 5 TV News report on the DFC>
(don't know for sure how long this link will be active)

Update March 2009: Sad news about The DFC. The comic publication has been put up for sale by Random House. If not sold by March 27, 2009, the comic will stop publication at issue #43.

Update August 4, 2009 - Garen Ewing, who was one of the artist slated to appear in the former DFC, is reported to be on Alex Fitch's 'Strip' program on August 6, 2009. Garen just launched his comic book, The Rainbow Orchid with Egmont UK.
more here>