DeathRay, R.I.P
I got a call this afternoon from Guy Haley – the Editor of DeathRay Magazine. It was to tell me that DeathRay was no more. Despite fairly universal acclaim (it’s late and I’m tired, so I’ll put “fairly” universal if I want – it’s my blog, so there!) the magazine struggled to make ends meet (and that, with a staff so skeletal it made Posh Spice look fat – oh look, I’m not in the mood to search for good analogies – you do it). Rebellion (the owners of Blackfish Publishing, who publish both DeathRay and Film Star) have closed the business – it seems it just wasn’t a viable concern.
It’s a damn, damn shame, as it was a mighty fine magazine. In his official press release, Editor-In-Chief Matt “Did you know I set up SFX?” Bielby hints that all might not be lost, that the magazine (and its sister title, Film Star) might be back in the future.
I, for one, hope this happens. I am truly sorry to hear of its demise, though in the current economic climate, I’m not holding out much hope for its return – a magazine such as this relies on advertising revenue to stay afloat, and fewer businesses are buying advertising these days.
It’s a sad day, and I’ll be drinking a toast to the good ship Blackfish, and all who sailed in her.
