DC Thomson Media

DC Thomson is one of the leading media organisations in the UK. Our headquarters are in Dundee but we also have offices in Glasgow, Aberdeen and London – in the world-famous Fleet Street. We publish newspapers, magazines and have diversified into new media, digital technology, retail, radio and books.

Our Group includes global genealogy company Findmypast, leading IT business services provider Brightsolid, premium gifting business Wild & Wolf, multimedia studio Beano Studios and, alongside DC Thomson Media, magazine publishers Puzzler Media and The Stylist Group.

DC Thomson is often called the Home of Annuals as we have been publishing annuals for over 80 years and our portfolio includes best-loved titles connected to our newspapers and magazines: The Broons and Oor Wullie, Beano, The People’s Friend – to name just a few. We have also recently started publishing non-fiction books and graphic novels using material from our archives.

Established: 1905

Publications (yearly average): 15–20

Types of books published: Non-fiction – sport, nostalgia; annuals; graphic novels.

DC Thomson Media highlights

Beano Annual

Kids young and old know the annual delivers on its promise of fun and mischief, which is why the Beano Annual has been No 1 seller in the UK in 10 of the last 11 years! Celebrating his 70th anniversary in 2021, Dennis faces monsters from Greek myths in order to prove he’s history’s greatest menace! He’s joined by legends such as Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids… and many more!

Dark Blue Blood

Scottish Rugby In the Black & White Era. Dark Blue Blood contains around 200 photos of team line-ups, action shots, spectators, Sevens tournaments, and the grounds where the game was played. Great care has been taken to show the game at all levels, from the world record crowd-setting Scotland – Wales match of 1975, to fun-in-the-sun Sevens tournaments on the summer circuit, and Orkney RFC anniversary celebrations.

Friendship Book

One of the most popular annuals on the market celebrates the ever-changing seasons with beautifully illustrated verse, reflective thoughts and country lore. With a different thought for every day of the year, The Friendship Book offers wisdom, comfort and humour. Accompanied by beautiful photographs, this inspirational anthology is a delight to dip into again and again. 

Little Stories From The Police Courts

Sandy Mitchell, the Scottish comedy writing genius who brought us Parliamo Glasgow scripts for Stanley Baxter, created these little stories about minor court cases from Glasgow in the 1950s and 60s with lots of laughs and colourful characters. Author Steve Finan has added translations (not always entirely seriously!), social context and a little commentary.

The Art of Ian Kennedy

Celebrating 70 Years of Ian Kennedy’s Artwork For DC Thomson Rarely seen original pages and sketches from Kennedy’s illustrious career at DC Thomson are represented here in a way they’ve never been seen before. A celebration of 70 years of true comic’s genius from the pages of publications as diverse as The Topper to Warlord, Lucky Charm to Starblazer!

Lifted Over the Turnstiles

The book contains almost 200 photos of 42 football stadiums that have lain unseen, in archives and rarely accessed collections, for decades. Few other public buildings hold such emotional ties. These are the places where our grandfathers, fathers, uncles, brothers and friends exulted and cursed. And all those scenes – of triumph and disaster, joy and despair – are here.

The Broons and Oor Wullie Giftbook

Brilliant collection of The Broons and Oor Wullie archive strips from the last eight decades, all with the side-tickling theme of copper capers and run-ins with the law. Front and centre of the collection will be the Oor Wullie fan favourite character PC Murdoch, who has been a staple of the comic since its first year in 1936.