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thelondonpaper Cancelled, Fears For Em Cartoon

Published Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:00:55 -0500

Last updated Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:19:44 -0500

For the last few years, London has been awash with free newspapers. There had always been a few free local papers, but the Metro morning paper from Associated Press, given away in tube and train stations, was the monster that started it.

A couple of years ago, thelondonpaper was launched by News International, an afternoon/evening free paper, handed out by vendors in the street. Associated Press launched a spoiler free paper, LondonLite, handed out next to thelondonpaper distributors intended to damage thelondonpaper and protect the paid-for title The Evening Standard.

Neither were exactly news heavy. Both emphasised gossip and celebrity news. But thelondonpaper had something very different. It had Em. A Bridget-Jonesy metropolitan strip by Maria Smedstad, author of graphic novel You're The Best Sister Ever, that manages to be relevant, topical and most importantly funny. And have lots of sex and alcohol.

Yesterday it was announced that News International are to close thelondonpaper in a month – although its losses had fallen from launch of 16 million pounds to just 9 million, it was still a loss to far and five million over budget. It is expected that Associate will close London Lite at some point, as its reason to exist has been taken away and will only be harming The Evening Standard.

But for me, and many others it seems, this could be the end of Em.

This will not do. Someone, somewhere must find it a home. Here are a few recent favourites.