Krause Publications says it is folding the long-published Comics Buyer's Guide with the March issue, blaming a decline in advertising and free content online for the demise of the magazine titles that began reporting on the comic book industry in 1971.

In a statement Wednesday, Krause blamed "poor market conditions" for the move. Issue No. 1,699 will be the last one published.

The magazine was started by Alan Light as The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom, publishing monthly at first, then twice a month, then weekly. Krause acquired the magazine in 1983 and changed the name to Comics Buyer's Guide shortly thereafter, with Don and Maggie Thompson as editors.

Krause, based in Wisconsin, is part of Cincinnati-based F+W Media Inc. The magazine's website will remain active as an archive resource.