DC Thomson has said the Dandy 'brand' will survive following reports this week that the weekly comic was to close after 75 years in print.
However it confirmed that December will be the last print edition.
Chief executive Ellis Watson said in a statement: 'I'm absolutely livid that we've had an internal leak about what's in the pipeline for one of our most popular titles. We're counting down 110 days until the big 75th anniversary bash and we're working on some tremendously exciting things.
'I've closed down loopholes to ensure much tighter internal security. We've heard about people trying to find out the plans by hacking into www.dandy.com so we've taken it all offline and moved in to core project offices. We're in lockdown.
'Dan has certainly not eaten his last cow pie. All of The Dandy's characters are just 110 days away from a new lease of life…
'On 4 December, we'll publish our 75th anniversary edition – and now that the cat's out of the bag – I can confirm that this will be our last print edition. It's what comes online then that will set the tone for the next 75 years and that's why I'm so livid these plans nearly leaked."
The Dandy Annual will continue to be printed.
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