The History of the Beano
The first issue of the Beano was published in July 1938, it contained stories of such characters as Big Eggo the Ostrich, Tom Thumb, Hairy Dan and the long lived Lord Snooty, finally dropped in 1988 but still enjoying his aristocratic childhood in the Beano retirement home 65 years later. Despite restrictions on paper, the Beano continued throughout the war bringing moments of fun to many kids stuck in the bombshelters during the many air raids, and those far from home evacuated to the countryside.
First Beano July 1938
The early Beano was a mix of cartoon funny stories and boys adventure and the wartime saw the rise of characters such as Jimmy and his Magic Patch, drawn by Dudley Watkins who also introduced us to Biffo the Bear in 1948. Biffo went on to take the cover role from Big Eggo. The 1950s saw big changes at the Beano with all the old characters being dropped, even Lord Snooty, although he returned 18 months later. 1951 was a landmark in Beano History as it saw the first appearance of Dennis the Menace, Drawn by David Law, Dennis has continued to appeal to all ages of comic fans ever since and was joined by his inseparable canine partner Gnasher in 1968. 1953 saw the debut of another Beano favourite in Roger the Dodger originally drawn by Ken Reid.
The same year also saw the the appearance Leo Baxendale's creation Minnie the Minx, the female answer to the Dennis, the Minx and the Menace have since become two of the Beanos best loved characters. Baxendale also brought us the Bash Street Kids in 1954. Towards the end of the decade the Beano began to phase out it's adventure stories and replaced them with more cartoons. Of the last to go were the underwater exploits of a fish shaped submarine in The Iron Fish, and the schoolboy superhero Billy the Cat, and his sister Katie. In 1980 the Beano celebrated its two thousandth issue. The Beano today is still full of characters old and new that continue to charm and entertain us.
Beano Issue 2000