Bad Grandad returns with a sharper look

The grumpy pensioner at the centre of Andy Fanton's long-running comic strip has been quietly overhauled. After months of redrafting, the character emerges with cleaner linework, more expressive features, and a personality that feels gently modernised for today's readers. The refresh marks the biggest visual leap since Bad Grandad first appeared in The Dandy.

For Australian readers who grew up paging through comics between school bells, the changes hit a familiar sweet spot. Fanton, who has long called Melbourne home, has spent the past year reworking his most beloved creation. The new Bad Grandad reads like an old mate who has finally upgraded his wardrobe but still complains about the weather.

The makeover is more than skin deep. Catchphrases have been tightened, panel pacing has shifted, and the character's relationship with modern technology has been gently updated. Long-time fans will find plenty of nods, while newcomers get a softer doorway into Fanton's crooked little world.

A visual refresh with familiar heart

The most obvious change sits in the artwork. Fanton has shifted from his older pen-and-ink wash to a tighter digital workflow, giving Bad Grandad crisper edges and more expressive facial tics. His trademark cardigan now shows a clearly knitted texture, and the perpetual tea stain on his sleeve has been refined into something almost photorealistic.

Behind the polished exterior, the comic still leans on slapstick and gruff one-liners. The pacing inside each panel feels slightly faster, with fewer crowded backgrounds and more focus on the old man's reactions. Fans in Adelaide and Brisbane have already started posting side-by-side comparisons online.

A personality that knows its roots

Bad Grandad's temperament has always mixed cantankerous wit with accidental tenderness. The latest tweaks lean further into the soft side without sanding off the rough edges. He still grumbles about Wi-Fi routers and refuses to ask for directions in Melbourne's tangled laneways.

The writing trades groan culture references for sharper observational humour. A gag involving a misplaced Medicare card lands better than any tired dad joke, and Fanton's ear for Australian idiom gives the strip a distinctly local flavour. Phrases like "yeah, nah" and "too right" sit comfortably alongside universal grumbles.

Seasonal hijinks and festive fails

The relaunch lines up with seasonal mini-strips. December brings a memorable episode where Bad Grandad battles a string of tangled fairy lights after a long Christmas lunch in the Australian summer. Anyone who has wrestled with a knotted ball of cable while the barbie is still warm outside will find the gag painfully familiar.

For readers who would rather not repeat his misfortune, there is a surprisingly handy guide on stringing fairy lights that might save an afternoon of swearing. Fanton has hinted that more holiday-themed adventures are on the way, including a New Year's strip where Bad Grandad mistakes midnight for a reasonable bedtime.

Behind the new look

Fanton has spoken openly about the production side. The character was redrawn more than thirty times before a final silhouette was locked in, with early versions leaning too far into parody. The iterative process gave him room to play with proportions, particularly around the eyebrows, which now carry most of the emotional weight.

Colour palettes were tested across multiple formats, from greyscale newspaper print to full-colour tablet screens. Fanton credits a long stretch of Melbourne coffee shop sessions for the subtle shift, noting that the amber tones of a well-made flat white ended up influencing his colour choices. The new files are also easier to license for syndication beyond The Dandy's legacy.

The stories that started it all

For newer readers wondering where the gruff pensioner came from, the earlier strips remain online. The early run includes a memorable short where Bad Grandad walks into his own kitchen and momentarily forgets his own name, calling himself everything from "Bruce" to "that bloke from the telly" before his granddaughter sets him straight.

That classic moment is captured in Bad Grandad Forgets His Own Name Notes, which also explains how the strip evolved from a single throwaway panel into one of Fanton's most enduring creations. Reading it alongside the new look makes it easier to spot the throughline between the two eras.

What's coming next

Beyond the seasonal run, Fanton has mapped out a loose roadmap for the next twelve months. Plans include a longer-form Bad Grandad story for the website, a possible print collection, and collaboration talks with other Australian illustrators. There is also talk of a short animated teaser that would bring the character's signature scowl to life in motion.

The roadmap feels measured rather than rushed, which suits a character built on slow burns. Updated strips now appear on the website every fortnight, with new instalments going live on desktop and mobile at the same time. Social channels share behind-the-scenes sketches and process videos.

Head over to the site now to see the refreshed Bad Grandad in action, share your favourite panels with mates, and sign up for Fanton's newsletter so you never miss a strip. Drop into the contact form with feedback or sketch requests — the creator reads every message and often replies with a rough doodle attached.