Happy 80th Birthday, Beano
Long-standing comic Beano turned 80 this year and continues to break the record for longest-running comic published weekly with every issue.
Article Source: Beano
Last Updated: 10 October 2018 10:19
As part of the celebrations, DC Thomson has created an interactive timeline looking at the history of Britain’s best-loved comic.
David Walliams guest edited and starred in the 80th Birthday commemorative issue which also included new character Mandi created in partnership with the UK’s leading charity fighting for mental health, YoungMinds. On its birthday Beano also revived the infamous ‘Dennis & Gnasher Fan Club’ with free membership available on Beano.com. Members of the club gain access to an exclusive prank portal on the Beano app, which can be accessed with a secret pin-code.
As well as a Beano takeover of Dundee’s McManus Museum, commemorative events have taken place throughout the year, including ‘Beano: Mischief Makers’ as the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which took place in libraries up and down the country.
To celebrate another landmark year – DC Thomson is releasing ‘Minnie - 65 Years of Minxing’, a bookazine of all things Minnie. Minnie’s official first appearance was on December 19th and her 65th birthday will be celebrated on this date in 2018.
Here’s what Mike Stirling, Head of Beano Studios, had to say about Beano’s tremendous success: “Initially, Beano was created by upstarts who revolutionised the whole industry. The continued rebellious approach is one of the things that has helped us remain popular and reach this momentous milestone. Producing the comic is a massive honour, especially as our readers - young and old - continue to enjoy it so much. In fact, a lot our success relies on our audience as all our best ideas always come from the kids!”
Beano Through the Years
On July 30th 1938, Robert D. Low and DC Thomson released the second of its funny boy papers. Little did they know, Beano would become the world’s longest-running weekly comic and a beloved British pop icon. So, how has the comic changed over the years?
During the 1940s, Beano helped boost British children’s morale during WW2 and asked them to join the war effort by recycling paper. Once the war ended, it was back to having fun with Britain's best boy Dennis the Menace appearing on the scene in 1951. Over the next two decades, Dennis the Menace’s popularity grew to the point that a Dennis the Menace and Gnasher fan club was launched in 1976 and enrolled 20,000 new members every week till 1998.
80 Years of Fun Compendium and Box Set
Beano fans can mark the anniversary with the Beano 80 Years of Fun compendium, featuring extracts from eight specially selected comics representing some of best, most iconic Beano editions. The limited edition Beano 80 Years of Fun box set not only includes iconic Beano editions, but you’ll also receive badges, cards, a poster, and exclusive Gnasher Snapper gift. Shop now while stock lasts.
Ten facts you didn’t know about Beano:
1. The word ‘Beano’ is a shortened version of ‘Bean feast’, meaning ‘a rowdy jollification.’
2. During the Second World War paper shortages meant the comic was reduced to 12 pages every two weeks.
3. Dennis’ canine companion, Gnasher, is drawn using Dennis’ hair and adding legs.
4. After the Second World War, the Beano Editor’s name was discovered upon a Nazi assassination list for ‘gross disrespect’!
5. For the first few episodes of his story, Dennis DIDN’T wear his famous red and black hooped jumper. His mum was still knitting it.
6. For six weeks in 1986, Dennis’s famous Abyssinian Wire-Haired Tripe Hound, Gnasher, went missing from the comic. He returned with six puppies.
7. Dennis was originally sketched on the back of a fag packet, in a pub!
8. There are only 20 surviving known copies of the first edition of Beano in the world.
9. It takes about 25 people to make a Beano comic including: artists, writers, colourists and graphic designers.
10. Lord Levison’s enquiry heard that ‘every newspaper apart from The Dandy and Beano’ was named in the investigation!
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly
National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORE
Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror
Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MORE
The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024
Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MORE
Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge
With a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum joined forces to mark significant milestone
Stirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MORE
Cornton Street Party Celebration to mark Changing Seasons
Stirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORE
Lights, camera, action, Delight as Stirling Studios announced
Stirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family Fun as BRICKLIVE Ocean arrives in Stirling
Families have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle
Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORE
Kevin McKenzie Named Honorary Chieftain of the 2024 Stirling Highland Game
The Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE
Teenager up for Song of the Year at The John Lennon Songwriter Contest
17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MORE
Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MORE
POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores
This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MORE
Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MORE
Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes
Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORE
Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours
Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MORE
Enjoy an Eggcellent Easter Break with Macdonald Hotels
Macdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MORE
Clydesdale Horses Gather to celebrate Kelpies Sculptures Effect a decade on
A mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MORE
Free activities this Easter at Dobbies
Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MORE
Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations
The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MORE
Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!
This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MORE
Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue
A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORE
Winners revealed at Go Forth Stirling 2024 Business Awards
A range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORE
A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival
Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MORE
National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me
Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MORE
Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative
Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MORE
Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links