On this day, 31 December 1977: The Beano
Dennis the Menace: David Sutherland (artist)
Here’s issue number 1850 of The Beano (that’s only a couple of hundred fewer issues than the mighty 2000AD has reached today), cover-dated 40 years ago today, and a great kick-off for the DC Thomson-themed Oor Pals in the North strand of Great News for All Readers!
There are some classic strips in here – Dennis the Menace, Roger the Dodger, Minnie the Minx, Lord Snooty, The Bash Street Kids, The Three Bears, Billy Whizz, Pup Parade, Gnasher, Little Plum – all foundational characters in the vast and colourful network of British comics creativity. And examples also of the work of some of the most significant and enduring artists this country has produced. The styles of David Sutherland, Malcolm Judge, Bob McGrath, Ron Spencer, Jimmy Glen and others are all instantly recognisable, and as an IPC fan it’s great to see a few familiar lines from the pens of Frank McDiarmid, Jim Petrie and Gordon Bell. Gnice!
Who had a Dennis badge?
ALL TITLES ™ DC THOMSON & CO. LTD, COPYRIGHT © DC THOMSON & CO. LTD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduced by kind permission.
2-Gun Tony: Bill Ritchie (artist)
Roger the Dodger: Frank McDiarmid (artist)
Minnie the Minx: Jim Petrie (artist)
Lord Snooty: Jimmy Glen (artist)
Ball Boy: Malcolm Judge (artist)
The Nibblers: John Sherwood (artist)
The Nibblers: John Sherwood (artist)
The Bash Street Kids: David Sutherland (artist)
The Three Bears: Bob McGrath (artist)
Billy Whizz: Malcolm Judge (artist)
Pup Parade: Gordon Bell (artist)
Grandpa: Jimmy Glen (artist)
Tom, Dick and Sally: Keith Reynolds? (artist); characters top left and top right from story title banner drawn by Robert Nixon
Gnasher’s Tale: David Sutherland (artist)
Jacky Daw with Maw and Paw: David Gudgeon (artist)
Little Plum: Ron Spencer (artist)
Dennis the Menace: David Sutherland (artist)
