View source for The Beano

{{Short description|British weekly children's comic magazine}}
{{about|the comics magazine|other topics|Beano (disambiguation)}}

{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox magazine
| title = The Beano
| logo = The Beano logo.svg
| image_file = TheBeano Issue1678.png
| image_size = 180px
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = ''The Beano'' issue 1678, cover dated 14 September 1974, the first appearance of [[Dennis the Menace and Gnasher]] on the front cover.
| editor = John Anderson
| editor_title = Chief-Editor
| previous_editor = [[#Chief Editor history|See list]]
| staff_writer = [[#Notable artists|See list]]
| photographer = 
| category = [[Anthology comic]], Children's humour
| frequency = Weekly
| circulation = 40,214 (Jan-Dec 2024) <ref>https://www.abc.org.uk/product/15100</ref>
| founder = [[R. D. Low]]
| founded = 
| firstdate = {{Start date and age|1938|07|30|df=y}}<br>(4312 issues as of 15 November 2025)
| finaldate = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| finalnumber = 
| company = [[DC Thomson]]
| country = United Kingdom
| based = [[Dundee]], Scotland
| language = English
| website = {{URL|beano.com}}
| issn =
| eissn = 
| oclc = 28686914
}}
'''''The Beano''''' (formerly '''''The Beano Comic''''') is a British [[anthology comic]] magazine created by Scottish publishing company [[DC Thomson]]. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938,<ref name="issue1"/> and it published its 4000th issue in August 2019.<ref name=issue4k>{{Cite magazine|title=The Fight For the Future is On!|date=2019-08-31|magazine=Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=4000|editor-last=Anderson|editor-first=John|publication-date=2019-08-28}}</ref> Popular and well-known comic strips and characters include ''[[Dennis the Menace and Gnasher|Dennis the Menace]]'', ''[[Minnie the Minx]]'', ''[[The Bash Street Kids]]'', ''[[Roger the Dodger]]'', ''[[Billy Whizz]]'', ''[[Lord Snooty]] and His Pals'', ''[[Ivy the Terrible]]'', ''[[General Jumbo]]'', ''[[Jonah (comics)|Jonah]]'', and ''[[Biffo the Bear]]''.

''The Beano'' was planned as a pioneering children's magazine that contained mostly comic strips, in the style of American newspaper [[gag-a-day]]s, as opposed to the more text-based [[story paper]]s that were immensely popular before the [[Second World War]]. In the present, its legacy is its misbehaving characters, escapist tales and anarchic humour with an audience of all ages. ''Beano'' is a multimedia franchise with spin-off books and Christmas annuals, a website, theme park rides, games, cartoon adaptations, and a production company.

''The Beano'' is the [[List of best-selling comic series#Comic magazines|best-selling comic magazine]] outside Japan, having sold over 2 billion copies since its inception, and is the world’s longest-running comic magazine and has been published weekly since 1938, alongside its sister comic ''[[The Dandy]]'' until 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-08-16 |title=Dandy owner DC Thomson to end comic's printed edition |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19284222 |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fraser-Nash |first=Alex |date=2021-08-06 |title=BEANO: The World's Most Collectible Comic? |url=https://blog.collectology.co.uk/2021/08/06/beano-the-worlds-most-collectible-comic-2/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Collectology |language=en-GB |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807195741/https://blog.collectology.co.uk/2021/08/06/beano-the-worlds-most-collectible-comic-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

It has had three characters as the mascot throughout the years: [[Big Eggo]] (1938–1948), [[Biffo the Bear]] (1948–1974), and the current, [[Dennis the Menace and Gnasher]] (1974–present).

==History==
===Creation (1920s–1939)===
Throughout the 1920s, [[DC Thomson]] dominated the British comics industry. Dubbed "[[British boys' magazines#The Big Five (Tuppenny Bloods)|the big five]]", the publisher's most successful comics were ''Adventure'' (1921),<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Lively, Healthy and Up-to-date|date=1921-09-17|magazine=Adventure|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1}}</ref> ''[[The Rover (story paper)|The Rover]]'' and ''[[The Wizard (DC Thomson)|The Wizard]]'' (1922),<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Great New Paper: The Rover|date=1922-03-04|magazine=[[The Rover (story paper)|The Rover]]|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Something absolutely new hand-coloured real photos for FREE|date=1922-09-23|magazine=[[The Wizard (DC Thomson)|The Wizard]]|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1}}</ref> ''The Skipper'' (1930)<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=No. 1 of the great new story paper for BOYS|date=1930-09-06|magazine=The Skipper|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1}}</ref> and ''[[The Hotspur]]'' (1933).<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Hotspur|date=1933-09-02|magazine=[[The Hotspur]]|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1|publication-date=1933-09-01}}</ref>{{refn|group=Note|Original contender was 1924's ''The Vanguard'', which discontinued two years later.}} These were weekly issued [[British boys' magazines|boys' magazines]] for preteen males, containing anthologies by DC Thomson's creator staff designed in various formats and genres. They became popular throughout the United Kingdom, notably in English industrial cities,<ref>{{harvp|McAleer|1992|pp=168–9}}: "According to [George Moonie]: 'We really had to gear [to] the English market because that's where the readership lay. If you look at the middle belt of England, the industrial belt—[[Birmingham]], [[Wolverhampton]], [[Manchester]], [[Nottingham]], [[Northampton]]—these places, very heavily populated, [were] your first target.{{'"}}</ref> helped through the company's ability to view sales and promotions in the areas much more easily than the rival publishers in London.{{clarify|reason=don't understand ... what does it mean to "view sales more easily?"|date=September 2025}}<ref>{{harvp|McAleer|1992|p=170}}</ref> Although many were about "super men" the young readers could idolise,<ref>{{cite web |last1=McNab |first1=Tom |title=Boys' comics of the 1940s – The Wonderful World of William Wilson – Saga |url=https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/entertainment/nostalgia/boys-comics-of-the-1940s |website=www.saga.co.uk |date=2014-09-23 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718145129/https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/entertainment/nostalgia/boys-comics-of-the-1940s |url-status=live }}</ref> the rest of the stories would be comic strips inspired by the [[gag-a-day]] strips in American newspapers full of stylised characters, slapstick and puns.

Overseeing the magazines was the Managing Editor of Children's Publications, [[R. D. Low]], who first joined the company in 1913.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=14}} Almost a decade into the big five's success, the stories shifted to comedic and included more comic strips,{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=12}} which gave Low an idea of creating a new "big five" which focused on the funnies more than drama. The suggestion was approved; editors Bill Blain and (sub-editor) Albert Barnes of ''The Wizard'' and ''The Hotspur'', respectively, joined Low's project.<ref name="BD fan club, p. 4">{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Ray |title=JUST THE TICKET OR A SLAP-UP FEED! THE STORY OF HOW THE DANDY AND BEANO GOT THEIR NAMES |url=http://www.phil-comics.com/Newsletter%20Issue%201.pdf |website=Phil Comics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807053413/http://www.phil-comics.com/Newsletter%20Issue%201.pdf |archive-date=2010-08-07 |date=October 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> The new team placed a newspaper advertisement into ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''{{refn|group=Note|''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' had a reputation of being the best news source to find the artist jobs in the world.}} asking for artists and/or comic ideas.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=7}} With the help of the advertisement responses and employed artists at DC Thomson, ''[[The Dandy]]'' was published in 1937,<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Dandy|date=1937-12-04|magazine=The Dandy Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1|editor-last=Barnes|editor-first=Albert}}</ref> the New Big Five's first member.<ref name="BD fan club, p. 4"/> For ''The Beano'' (initially called "The Beano Comic" until issue 412),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=315}} Low received comic strip suggestions by [[Reg Carter]], an English illustrator in [[Sussex]] who had created funnies for several British comics and designed humorous postcards.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=7}} After an in-person interview, Low and Carter planned the front cover for ''The Beano''{{'s}} first issue, eventually creating the character [[Big Eggo]] (originally named Oswald the Ostrich).{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|pp=8–9}} It would be in colour whilst the inside of the magazine would be black and white,{{refn|group=Note|[[Wee Peem]] also had slight red colouring.}} a tactic used for ''The Dandy''{{'s}} first issue (black and white stories inside, colourful [[Korky the Cat]] strip on the front).{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=10}} Joining the ''Big Eggo'' strip would be many funnies, such as Hugh McNeill's ''[[Ping the Elastic Man]]'', James Jewell's ''[[Wee Peem]]'', [[Allan Morley]]'s ''Big Fat Joe'', Eric Roberts' ''Rip Van Wink'', [[Dudley D. Watkins]]' ''[[Lord Snooty]] and His Pals'', and [[Roland Davies (comics)|Roland Davies]]' ''Contrary Mary''.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=304–305}} Despite the aim to make a new comic series full of American-inspired comic strips, ''The Beano'' also contained short stories, [[Serial (literature)|serial fiction]] and adventure stories similar to the Big Five's magazines; ''[[Morgyn the Mighty]]'' was previously in ''The Rover''.<ref name=Morgyn>{{Cite magazine|title=Morgyn the Mighty|date=1928-02-11|magazine=The Rover|last=Watkins|first=Dudley D.|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co.|issue=304}}</ref> ''[[Tin-Can Tommy]]'' and ''Brave Captain Kipper'' were reprints, co-produced by the Italian art agency Torelli Bros.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=304–305}}

Worth 2[[Shilling (British coin)|d]] with a free prize of a "whoopee mask", issue 1 of ''The Beano'' was released on 26 July 1938 for the 30th,<ref name="issue1">{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1938-07-30|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|publication-date=1938-07-26}}</ref> selling roughly 443,000 copies.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=12}} Like ''The Dandy'', its name is from a Low-led DC Thomson office party called The DB Club (The [[wikt:dandy|Dandy]] [[bean-feast|Beano]] Club).<ref name="BD fan club, p. 4"/> DC Thomson had several office party clubs that hosted different types of staff gatherings to choose from (e.g. The Prancers would hike hills), but Low's DB Club preferred playing golf and dining throughout Dundee. The two magazines also followed the one-word titles of other comics by rival companies, such as [[Amalgamated Press]]' ''Crackers'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=[Crackers]|date=1929-01-22|magazine=Crackers|publisher=Amalgamated Press|issue=1}}</ref> ''Sparkler'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Buster, Linda and Pip in Riverside Fun!|date=1937-07-03|magazine=Sparkler|publisher=Amalgamated Press|issue=142}}</ref> ''Puck''<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Don and Doris Have Another School Holiday/Tiny Timothy, the Smallest Boy in the World|date=1937-06-26|magazine=Puck|publisher=Amalgamated Press|issue=1717|publication-date=1937-06-22}}</ref> and some books from its ''[[Union Jack (magazine)|Union Jack]]'' series (''[[Halfpenny Marvel|The Marvel]]'', ''[[The Magnet]]'' and ''[[The Gem]]'');<ref>{{harvp|McAleer|1992|p=171}}</ref> and Target Publications' ''Chuckler'', ''Rattler'' and ''Dazzler''.<ref name="BD fan club, p. 4"/> ''Beano'' editor-in-chief was George Moonie, former sub-editor of ''The Wizard'', who would be editor until the summer of 1959.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=24}} He later explained DC Thomson was a competitive company that wanted to make the best children's literature in the United Kingdom, but there was also competition within itself as ''Beano'' offices was determined to beat ''The Dandy''{{'s}} popularity.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=24}}

===World War Two, reaching million sales (1939–1945)===
Drastic changes occurred behind the scenes of ''The Beano'' during the [[Second World War]]: George Moonie and editing partner Ron Fraser left to join the [[Royal Marines]] and [[Royal Air Force|Air Force]] respectively, both not returning until c. 1946.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=306}} Stuart Gilchrist became sole editor-in-chief after Moonie's other sub-editor Freddie Simpson became ill and resigned. Contact was also lost with Torelli Bros. so in-house creations of ''Tin-Can Tommy'' began from issue 69 by Sam Fair.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=305}} Paper [[rationing]] caused the rest of Low's New Big Five to be cancelled{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=14}} (it stopped at three published, the third member being ''[[The Magic Comic]]'' (1939), which ended with 80 issues in 1941),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=44}} and ''The Beano'' to fluctuate its page count instead of its usual 28.{{refn|group="Note"|28 pages stopped at issue 62 in October 1939, which was 24 pages long.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=306}} Then page count dropped to 22 in issue 98, 20 at issue 101, and 18 in issue 120.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=307}} The lowest page count was issue 326's 10.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1948-01-10|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=326|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref>{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=312}}}} Eventually, ''The Beano'' became a [[fortnight]]ly magazine (alternating with [[The Dandy]] comic) until 23 July 1949.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=313}}

Comic strips would encourage readers to help their parents and other adults with the war effort, and to be optimistic about the war's outcome. New comic strips mocked [[Mussolini]]<ref name=Mussolini>{{Cite magazine|editor-first=Stuart|editor-last=Gilchrist|title=Musso the Wop|date=1940-12-28|magazine=The Beano Comic|last=Fair|first=Sam|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=127}}</ref> and propagandist [[William Joyce]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Down With Lord Haw-Haw|date=1940-06-29|magazine=The Beano Comic|editor-first=Stuart|editor-last=Gilchrist|first=Jack|last=Glass|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=101}}</ref> ''Lord Snooty and His Pals'' stories would be about the protagonists outsmarting the [[Axis powers|Axis]] leaders,{{refn|group=Note|Moonie, who returned from the war a [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] once in charge of an assault craft at [[D-Day]], would tell David Puttman he believed Lord Snooty did more for the war than him.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=24}}}} and other stories would be about characters [[recycling]] paper.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=22–23}} ''Big Eggo'' front covers were often about Eggo pranking [[servicemen]] during [[the Blitz]],{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=72–73}} and [[Pansy Potter]] received a medal for single-handedly capturing a Nazi [[U-boat]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=[[Pansy Potter]]|date=18 November 1939|magazine=The Beano Comic|last=McNeill|first=Hugh|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref>{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=75}} Issue 192 would debut a 16-part prose story about a boy and his mother being [[Evacuations of civilians in Britain during World War II|evacuated]] to the United States and becoming the enemy of a [[Chicago]] gangster's widow.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Jimmy's Mother Wouldn't Run Away|date=1942-11-07|magazine=The Beano Comic|last=Gordon|first=Jack|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=192|editor-last=Gilchrist|editor-first=Stuart}}</ref>

Issues published weekly every Tuesday in 1938,{{refn|group=Note|The date of the Saturday of that week is written on the front.<ref name="issue1"/>}}{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=304}} and when the magazine changed distribution to every two weeks, the day remained unchanged.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=304–312}} From issue 366, the day changed to Friday until issue 375 which began the Thursday publication day schedule.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=313}}

===Post-war changes (1945–1988)===
December 1945 marked a milestone: issue 272 became the first ''Beano'' issue to sell over a million copies.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=19}} The end of the war also ushered in a new era for the comic, debuting [[superhero]] [[Jack Flash]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|title=[[Jack Flash]] the Flying Boy|date=1949-02-19|magazine=The Beano Comic|last=Watkins|first=Dudley D.|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=355|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref> the debut of [[Biffo the Bear]] as new cover star and a new generation of trouble-making kids: [[Dennis the Menace (Beano Character)|Dennis the Menace]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Dennis the Menace|date=1951-03-17|magazine=The Beano|last=Law|first=Davey|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=452|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref> [[Minnie the Minx]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Minnie the Minx|date=1953-12-19|magazine=The Beano|last=Baxendale|first=Leo|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=596|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref> [[The Bash Street Kids]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=When the Bell Rings|date=1954-02-13|magazine=The Beano|last=Baxendale|first=Leo|issue=604|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref> and [[Roger the Dodger]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Roger the Dodger|date=1953-04-18|magazine=The Beano|last=Reid|first=Ken|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=561|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref> DC Thomson also introduced new comic magazines like ''[[The Beezer]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beezer|date=1956-01-21|magazine=The Beezer|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1}}</ref> and ''[[The Topper (comics)|The Topper]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Topper|date=1953-02-06|magazine=The Topper|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1|publication-date=1953-02-07}}</ref> that a few ''Beano'' artists also created characters and stories for.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=115}}

After the war saw a drift away from text stories and adventure comics, with the last text story published in 1955; adventure comics lasted longer with 1975 being the last year to feature them as ''[[General Jumbo]]''{{'s}} eighth series drew to a close in issue 1734.<ref>{{Cite magazine|issue=1734|title=[[General Jumbo]]|date=1975-10-11|magazine=The Beano|last=|first=|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|editor-last=Cramond|editor-first=Harold}}</ref>

George Moonie resigned as editor-in-chief in 1959 to develop comics for girls.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=24}} Sub-editor of ''The Beezer'' Harry Cramond succeeded Moonie until retiring in 1984, described as the most influential editor in ''The Beano''{{'s}} history.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=36}} He oversaw new merchandising, high sales,{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=231}}{{refn|group="Note"|''The Beano'' eventually passed ''The Dandy''{{'s}} sales by 100,000 copies.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=160}} but both magazines sometimes sold up to four million issues per week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beano and Dandy trading website |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-sussex-19071071 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712055250/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-sussex-19071071 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and the thousandth<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1961-09-10|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1000|editor-last=Cramond|editor-first=Harold}}</ref> and two thousandth issues.<ref name=issue2000>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1980-11-15|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2000|editor-last=Cramond|editor-first=Harold}}</ref> DC Thomson's ''Beano'' offices featured on documentary television and Cramond's successor Euan Kerr guest-starred on television for the magazine's 50th anniversary.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=46}}

===Move to full colour (1988–present)===
{{more information|#Merchandise}}
''The Beano'' began to advertise outside of DC Thomson's products in 1988 in order to keep both it and ''The Dandy'' "[[Allowance (money)#Children|pocket money]]" cheap,{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=249}} beginning with issue 2407.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1988-09-03|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2407|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan}}</ref> Issue 2674 in 1993 was the first issue to feature every page in colour.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=[The Beano]|date=1993-10-16|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2674|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan}}</ref>

A notable revamp was the 50th birthday issue, which had an abnormally larger page count with more coloured sections and printed on wider sheets. A decade later, issues gained eight extra pages with computer-based art. In the 21st century, there were seven changes within a five-year span: logo updates, fonts assigned for certain design roles,{{refn|group="Note"|New headline fonts were introduced (CCZoinks), circa 2007; the balloon font was also changed to Cloudsplitter by [[Blambot]].}} and the magazine started using glossy paper.

From issue 3442 in 2008 (and as of 2020), the day the comic was released was changed to Wednesday.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Roger the Dodger in... Dodge SOLO! A Beanotown story|date=2018-05-26|magazine=Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=3936|editor-last=Anderson|editor-first=John|publication-date=2018-05-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Fame at Last!|date=2019-08-03|magazine=Beano|publisher=DC Thomson|issue=3996|publication-date=31 July 2019|editor-last=Anderson|editor-first=John}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Banana Banned!|date=2018-06-23|magazine=Beano|publisher=DC Thomson|publication-date=2018-06-20|issue=3940}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stringer |first1=Lew |title=Lew Stringer Comics: Rasher Returns |url=http://lewstringercomics.blogspot.com/2014/01/rasher-returns.html |work=Lew Stringer Comics |date=29 January 2014 |quote=The Beano is published every Wednesday, priced £2 for 36 full colour pages. |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711234254/http://lewstringercomics.blogspot.com/2014/01/rasher-returns.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stringer |first1=Lew |title=Lew Stringer Comics: BIG EGGO returns to the BEANO! |url=http://lewstringercomics.blogspot.com/2018/03/big-eggo-returns-to-beano.html |work=Lew Stringer Comics |date=3 March 2018 |quote=See the first new Big Eggo strip in Beano No.3925, on Wednesday 7th March 2018. |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714104618/http://lewstringercomics.blogspot.com/2018/03/big-eggo-returns-to-beano.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Parkinson |first1=Nigel |title=D C Thomson day again |url=https://nigelparkinsoncartoons.blogspot.com/2011/09/d-c-thomson-day-again.html |work=Nigel Parkinson CARTOONS |date=28 September 2011 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711203328/http://nigelparkinsoncartoons.blogspot.com/2011/09/d-c-thomson-day-again.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Outside of the magazine, ''Beano''{{'}}s brand expanded into a multimedia franchise. Theme park tie-ins, a website, spin-off magazines, and animated television programmes starring the popular comic characters (several for Dennis the Menace) became common, keeping ''The Beano'' in popular culture. The turn of the millennium began a sales decline and led to friendly rival ''The Dandy'' being discontinued in 2012. Eventually, ''The Beano'' recovered after the creation of its magazine subscription service, which also shipped internationally.

==Stories==
{{further|List of Beano comic strips}}
[[File:Jimmy and the Magic Patch adventure strip comic scan example.jpeg|thumb|250px|alt=Panel 11 of issue 272's ''Jimmy and His Magic Patch'' story: drawing of a schoolboy in his school uniform standing by the front window of a pet shop, looking sympathetically at mice playing with a spinning hamster wheel inside the shop. Underneath is a paragraph explaining he had travelled back to the present and is telling the mice playing with the wheel "I know how you feel!"|''[[Jimmy and his Magic Patch]]'' was a popular [[text comics|text comic adventure]] that would have eight series (three of them reprints) between 1944 and 1959.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=310, 327}}]]

Plots and dialogue are written into a script by an (often) uncredited DC Thomson writer, a formerly common practice for DC Thomson magazines.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Briggs |first1=Jeremy |title=Adventures in Pictures: From Sparky to Starblazer and Beyond |url=https://downthetubes.net/?page_id=35077 |work=Down the Tubes |date=27 June 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210908212102/https://downthetubes.net/?page_id=35077 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |access-date=11 September 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> Uncredited artists assigned to a strip(s) will design all its stories into a "series" that the chief editor will arrange into an order to publish for each issue.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=304–337}}<ref name="si co">{{cite news |last1=Parkinson |first1=Nigel |title=Uh Oh |url=https://nigelparkinsoncartoons.blogspot.com/2011/06/uh-oh.html |work=Nigel Parkinson CARTOONS |date=16 June 2011 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715020325/http://nigelparkinsoncartoons.blogspot.com/2011/06/uh-oh.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Strips are sometimes ghostwritten by other artists who imitate the original designer's style,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moore |first1=Roy |title=The Beano Diaries |date=1991 |publisher=British Comic World |location=[[Ilford, Essex]] |page=V |edition=limited |url=https://archive.org/details/RayMoore/The%20Beano%20Diaries%20-%20Ray%20moore%20-%20Volume%201%20%28TGMG%29/page/n5/mode/2up |quote=As it would be impossible to list them all, no attempt has been made to list artists who 'ghosted' or stood in on strips when the strip's regular artists was absent.}}</ref> which is helpful if artists retire or die unexpectedly, otherwise the strip is discontinued.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=292}} "When I started I was drawing two pages a week and thinking 'Phew, that's quite a lot'. Now I do 10 or 12 pages a week. You have to do more all the time to stay where you are," explained [[Nigel Parkinson]].<ref name=kids>{{cite news|title=The Beano enters the digital age|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170724155206/https://www.ft.com/content/05205a14-6afa-11e7-b9c7-15af748b60d0|date=2017-07-24|first=Emma|last=Jacobs|archive-date=24 July 2017|url=https://www.ft.com/content/05205a14-6afa-11e7-b9c7-15af748b60d0|work=[[Financial Times]]|url-access=subscription|access-date=18 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> From March 2016, authors and illustrators are now credited in issues.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stringer |first1=Lew |title=BLIMEY! The Blog of British Comics: Credit where credit's due |url=http://lewstringer.blogspot.com/2016/03/credit-where-credits-due.html |work=BLIMEY! The Blog of British Comics |date=2 March 2016 |access-date=19 September 2021 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920211913/http://lewstringer.blogspot.com/2016/03/credit-where-credits-due.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

There have been over a thousand stories throughout the magazine's history told through various ways. Since November 1975,{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=210}} the magazine has contained only comic strips in the style of American newspaper "funnies", but it began with other genres. The last genre to leave ''Beano'' was [[adventure story|adventure stories]]: short tales eleven-pictures long in [[text comics]] format. The stories were either dramatic or [[Dramedy|dramedies]], but heavily featured hobbies and interests young boys had (war and the military,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1961-09-30|editor-last=Cramond|editor-first=Harold|others=Illustrated by James "Peem" Walker|title=Paddy's Private Army|magazine=The Beano|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1961-09-28|issue=1002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1960-01-16|editor-last=Cramond|editor-first=Harold|others=Illustrated by Vitor Peon|title=The Laughing Pirate|magazine=The Beano|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1960-01-14|issue=913}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1959-11-14|editor-last=Cramond|editor-first=Harold|others=Illustrated by Michael Darling|title=Pete of the Spitfires|magazine=The Beano|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1959-11-12|issue=904}}</ref><ref name="Jum">{{Cite magazine|last=Brennan|first=Paddy|date=1953-09-19|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|title=[[General Jumbo]]|magazine=The Beano|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1953-09-17|issue=584}}</ref> hunting, sailing,<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Six Brands For Bonnie Price Charlie|date=1945-03-24|magazine=The Beano Comic|last=Watkins|first=Dudley D.|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=254|editor-last=Gilchrist|editor-first=Stuart|publication-date=1945-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Shipwrecked Circus|date=1943-02-27|magazine=The Beano Comic|last=Watkins|first=Dudley D.|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=200|editor-last=Gilchrist|editor-first=Stuart|publication-date=1943-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1952-01-05|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|others=Illustrated by Bill Holroyd|title=Runaway Jack|magazine=The Beano|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1952-01-03|issue=494}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1954-01-16|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|others=Illustrated by James "Peem" Walker|title=Get Rid of the Runaway Twins|magazine=The Beano|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1954-01-14|issue=600}}</ref> jungle men).<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1938-07-30|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|others=Illustrated by Richard "Toby" Baines|title=Wild Boy of the Woods|magazine=The Beano Comic|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1938-07-26|issue=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1938-07-30|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|others=George "Dod" Anderson|title=Morgyn the Mighty|magazine=The Beano Comic|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1938-07-26|issue=1}}</ref> They also stood out because the illustrations of backgrounds, animals and human characters were [[photorealistic]]. Although artists like [[Dudley D. Watkins]] drew for a few series, the most prolific illustrator was Irish artist [[Paddy Brennan]], who notably drew for ''The Daring Deeds of [[Sinbad the Sailor]]'', ''Red Rory of the Eagles''<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1952-06-07|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|others=Illustrated by [[Paddy Brennan]]|title=Red Rory of the Eagles|magazine=The Beano|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1952-06-05|issue=553}}</ref> and ''[[General Jumbo]]'' in the 1950s.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=138–140}} Comic adventure stories were a hybrid: adventure stories presented as a comic strip.

Prose stories were a page of text with an illustration at the top. Some stories were about animals with artwork by former Big Five illustrator{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=50}} Richard "Toby" Baines,<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|date=1938-07-30|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|others=Illustrated by Richard "Toby" Baines|title=The Ape's Secret|magazine=The Beano Comic|type=Prose story|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1938-07-26|issue=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1938-07-30|others=Toby Baines (illustrator)|title=Black Flash the Beaver|magazine=The Beano Comic|issue=1}}</ref> but the longest-running prose character in the magazine's history was Prince Ivor, who first starred in ''Follow the Secret Hand''.<ref name="king">{{Cite magazine|date=1939-11-18|others=Illustrated by [[Dudley D. Watkins]]|title=Follow the Secret Hand|magazine=The Beano Comic|type=Prose story|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1939-11-14|issue=69}}</ref> The last prose story to appear was ''Ace From Space'' in 1955.<ref name="Ace">{{Cite magazine|date=1955-01-22|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|others=Illustrated by Leo Baxendale|title=Ace From Space|magazine=The Beano|type=Prose story|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1955-01-20|issue=653}}</ref>

Although comic strips have featured in ''The Beano'' since issue 1, their contents has changed throughout. Anthropomorphic animals were common stars that would partake in human activities,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Watkins|first=Dudley D.|date=1948-01-24|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|title=[[Biffo the Bear]]|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=327}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Carter|first=Reg|date=1938-07-30|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|title=[[Big Eggo]]|magazine=The Beano Comic|type=[[Comic strip]]|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1938-07-26|issue=1}}</ref> and the punchlines occurred from the failures to do so. Misbehaving children showed most popular with ''Lord Snooty and His Pals'' becoming the first longest-running strip when it concluded in 1991, but the most well known that continue to appear in issues are ''Dennis the Menace'', ''Minnie the Minx'', ''The Bash Street Kids'', and ''Roger the Dodger''. Some adult-starring characters also misbehaved but they were usually portrayed as incompetent, notably [[Jonah (comics)|Jonah]]. In the late 20th century, merging comic strip characters in the same vicinity became common in the franchise, such as the video game ''Beanotown Racing'', but characters living together in "Beanotown" became a prominent feature of comic strips into the present.{{r|Beanotown1|Beanotown2}}{{refn|group="Note"|Notably, Lord Snooty lives in Bunkerton, General Jumbo lives in Dinchester, Billy the Cat lives in Burnham, etc. Lord Snooty's returns in the 21st century retcons Bunkerton as a district in Beanotown.}}

Due to the initial target audience of ''The Beano'' being schoolboys, masculine interests, hobbies, and values dominated issues constantly. Aside from aforementioned adventure stories and comedic characters, there were cowboys,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Glass|first=Jack|date=1938-07-30|title=Cracker Jack: The Wonder Whip Man|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1|editor-first=George|editor-last=Moonie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Lone Wolf|date=1942-09-12|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=188|editor-last=Gilchrist|editor-first=Stuart|publication-date=1942-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Roland|first=Davies|date=1938-07-30|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|title=Whoopee Hank – The Slap-Dash Sheriff|magazine=The Beano Comic|publication-date=1938-07-26|issue=1}}</ref> aliens,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1958-12-06|title=Sparky's Space Helmet|magazine=The Beano|issue=855}}</ref><ref name="Ace"/><ref name=":0" /> kings,<ref name="king"/> the supernatural,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1943-01-30|title=The Goat with the Magic Wand|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=198|editor-first=Stuart|editor-last=Gilchrist}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1944-01-01|editor-first=Stuart|editor-last=Gilchrist|title=Jimmy and his Magic Patch|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|magazine=The Beano Comic}}</ref> fantasy creatures<ref>{{Cite magazine|editor-first=George|editor-last=Moonie|date=1949-12-03|title=The Invisible Giant|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=385}}</ref> (and talking animals), and men whose lifestyle<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Holroyd|first=Bill|date=1947-02-22|title=Alf Wit the Ancient Brit|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=304}}</ref> or jobs<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1939-04-01|others=Illustrated by Jack Glass|title=Young Strongarm the Axeman|magazine=The Beano Comic|type=Adventure strip|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|publication-date=1939-03-28|issue=36}}</ref> require physical strength (despite the story making their careers incidental). ''The Beano'' alternated between mocking or idolising these characters through story formats; wealthy characters causing mischief, caring about their families<ref name="king"/> or being shown underprivileged lives made the working-class audience relate and sympathise with them.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=11}} Female characters were usually supporting a male character, joint protagonist with a male character,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1973-12-01|title=Billy the Cat, and Katie|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1949-12-03|title=The Runaway Robinsons|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1948-09-04|title=The Hungry Goodwins|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=343}}</ref> or the antagonist. Prose stories starring girls and women were about the protagonist searching out the truth to a secret, usually over a friend's/family disappearance,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1945-10-06|title=Tick-Tock Tommy|magazine=The Beano Comic|issue=268}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1942-04-11|title=Nobody Wanted Nancy|magazine=The Beano Comic|issue=177}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1941-08-30|title=Plucky Little Nell|magazine=The Beano Comic|issue=161}}</ref> or they were [[witches]] cursing or tormenting the male protagonists.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1949-11-19|title=Sandy's Magic Bagpipes|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=383}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|title=The Witch's Spell on Poor King Kell!|date=1946-04-20|magazine=The Beano Comic|last=Prout|first=Jack|issue=282|publication-date=1946-04-16}}</ref> Female comic characters were also in supporting roles with or join-protagonist with a male character, but the starring characters notably had binary stereotypical traits: drawn as tall and flowy, ''Swanky, Lanky Liz'' is obsessed with fashion and makeup and acts vain and snobbish, whereas [[Pansy Potter]], Minnie the Minx and Toots from ''The Bash Street Kids'' share the round-faced and snub-nosed art style of the boys in their stories and are unruly [[tomboy]]s (in Pansy Potter's case, showcases the strength she inherited from her father). [[Non-White]] characters starred in their stories either set in Africa,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1958-03-15|title=Pom-Pom (The Boy Who Brightens Darkest Africa)|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=817}}</ref> Asia,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1959-11-21|title=Teeko|magazine=The Beano|issue=905}}</ref> or South America, or were about the character adapting to a new life in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1944-03-11|title=Wun Tun Joe|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=227}}</ref>

Stories used to vary in length and layout, but in 2012, ''The Beano'' debuted a chapter called Funsize Funnies where shorter comic strips shared some pages. In some instances, these extremely short strips were brand new (''[[Stunt Gran]]'', ''BamBeanos'', ''BSK CCTV'',<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Beano|title=BSK CCTV|date=2013-04-27|issue=3682|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.}}</ref> ''Gnash Gnews'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Gnash Gnews (Funsize Funnies)|date=2012-11-10|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=3660|others=Illustrated by Barrie Appleby|editor-last=|editor-first=}}</ref> ''Winston''), but others were tiny reboots of older comic strips that the new audience could not recall reading before. Quiet reboots included ''[[Simply Smiffy]]'' (cancelled 1987),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=235}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=[[Simply Smiffy]]|date=1987-05-09|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2338|publication-date=1987-05-07|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan}}</ref> ''[[Rasher (comics)|Rasher]]'' (cancelled 1995),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=235}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Rasher|date=1995-02-18|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2744|others=Illustrated by Dave Sutherland|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan|publication-date=1995-02-16}}</ref> ''[[Little Plum]]'' (cancelled 2007),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=340}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=[[Little Plum]]|date=2007-01-20|magazine=The Beano|publisher=DC Thomson|issue=3364|editor-last=Digby|editor-first=Alan|publication-date=2007-01-18}}</ref> ''[[Les Pretend]]'' (cancelled 2007),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=338}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=[[Les Pretend]]|date=2007-10-13|magazine=The Beano|publisher=DC Thomson|issue=3402|others=Illustrated by John Sherwood|editor-last=Digby|editor-first=Alan|publication-date=2007-10-11}}</ref> ''[[Baby Face Finlayson]]'' (cancelled 2005),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=337}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Baby Face Finlayson|date=2005-11-12|magazine=The Beano|publisher=DC Thomson|issue=3304|editor-last=Digby|editor-first=Alan|publication-date=2005-11-10}}</ref> ''[[Biffo the Bear]]'' (cancelled 1999),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=337}} ''[[Pansy Potter]]'' (cancelled 1993),{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=337}} and ''[[Lord Snooty]]'' (cancelled 1991).{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Lord Snooty|date=1991-09-14|magazine=The Beano|publisher=DC Thomson|issue=2566|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan|publication-date=1991-09-12}}</ref>

===Crossovers===
{{see also|Classics from the Comics}}
[[File:Beano comic characters' cameo in 80th anniversary.jpg|thumb|220px|The 80th-anniversary comic memorably features characters from the first issue and the rest of 1938. '''Left to right:''' [[Wee Peem]], [[Tin-Can Tommy]], [[Pansy Potter]], [[Lord Snooty]], and Big Fat Joe.]]
''The Beano'' allows its characters from different strips to interact with each other. Reprinting old stories or redistributing characters into other magazines is common throughout DC Thomson's history, as if the stories are set in the [[shared universe|same universe]]. The ''[[Lord Snooty]]'' series discontinued old characters and replaced them with ''Beano'' strip characters of the past;<ref>See [[Lord Snooty#The new friends from 1950 onwards]].</ref> ''Dennis the Menace'' featured in DC Thomson's ''Champ'' magazine in the mid-1980s and ''The Weekly News'' tabloid-magazine for four years in the 1950s.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=316}} ''Morgyn the Mighty'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Morgyn the Mighty|date=1938-07-30|magazine=The Beano Comic|last=Anderson|first=George|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|publication-date=1938-07-26}}</ref> ''[[Tricky Dicky (Topper)|Tricky Dicky]]'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Tricky Dicky|date=1999-07-03|magazine=The Beano|last=Dallas|first=John|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2972|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan|publication-date=1999-07-01}}</ref> ''[[Bananaman]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Bananaman|date=2012-01-14|magazine=The Beano|editor-last=Stirling|editor-first=Michael|publisher=DC Thomson|publication-date=2012-01-11}}</ref> and ''[[Corporal Clott]]'' were stories previously from ''The Rover'',<ref name="Morgyn"/> ''The Topper'',<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Tricky Dicky|magazine=The Topper|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1276|date=1977-07-16}}</ref> ''Nutty''<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Bananaman|date=1980-02-16|magazine=Nutty|last1=Donaldson|first1=David|last2=Bright|first2=Steve|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1}}</ref> and ''The Dandy'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Corporal Clott|date=1960-11-12|magazine=[[The Dandy]]|last=Law|first=David|issue=990|editor-last=Barnes|editor-first=Albert}}</ref> respectively, whereas one of [[Gnasher]]'s puppies had her own strip in ''The Beezer and Topper''<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Gnatasha|date=1990-10-06|magazine=[[The Beezer and Topper]]|last=Richie|first=Bill|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=3}}</ref> and [[Jackie (magazine)|''Jackie'' magazine]].{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018 |p=67}}

=== Anniversary issues ===
Along with guest editors, anniversary issues are frequently contained with crossovers. The 2000th issue had the "Hall of Fame" strip which showed framed portraits of characters from the past,<ref name="issue2000"/> and issue 3443's ''Fred's Bed'' featured Fred crawling under his bed and time travelling through the magazine's comic strips.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=302–303}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Fred's Bed|date=2008-08-02|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=3443|editor-last=Park|editor-first=Nick|editor-link=Nick Park}}</ref> For the 80th anniversary, issue 3945 was guest edited by actor-turned children's author [[David Walliams]] and had a large crossover story about Bash Street School opening the Beanotown's 1938 time capsule and discovering a map, which leads to robots and a giant tentacle monster breaking out to attack the residents. There was also a flashback panel of the time capsule being sealed which featured a handful of comic strip characters from the first issue, later helping the present day characters discover how to defeat the tentacle monster, named Simon.<ref name="issue3945"/> Issue 4000's crossover was a [[time travel]] story where the Beanotown characters of the present helped their future selves save the world.<ref name="issue4k"/>

==Creators==
===Chief Editor history===
As of 2020, there have been seven official chief editors:{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|pp=24, 36, 46, 56, 68, 82, 92}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Summerland |first1=Joe |title=Anarchy in the UK |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/715891698 |work=The Independent |date=29 July 2018 |page=44 |quote=Incredibly, ''The Beano'' has had just seven editors over the eight decades it has been in print. |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711191727/http://www.newspapers.com/image/715891698/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=326}}<!-- NOTE: The official date of each editors' departures are unavailable to the public, or not documented. Some are known to have resigned in the middle of the year (i.e. George Moonie)-->
*George Moonie (1938–1939, c. 1946–1959)
*Harold Cramond (1959–1984)
*Euan Kerr (1984–2006)
*Alan Digby (2006–2011)
*Michael Stirling (2011–2012)
*Craig Graham (2012–2016)
*John Anderson (2016–present){{refn|group=Note|Anderson, born in England, is the first non-Scottish editor for the magazine.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=92}}}}

Temporary chief editors:
*Stuart Gilchrist (1939–c. 1946) stood in as editor when George Moonie joined the Navy for World War Two.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|pp=306, 311}}
*[[Dick and Dom]] (2006) edited issue 3311<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=2006-01-07|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=3311|editor-last=McCourt|editor-first=Richard|editor-link=Richard McCourt|editor2-last=Wood|editor2-first=Dominic|editor2-link=Dominic Wood}}</ref> and chose their favourite strips from the available 2005 waiting list.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=300}}
*[[Nick Park]] (2008) edited issue 3443<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Happy Birthday, The Beano! 8 Extra Pages!|date=2008-08-02|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=3443|editor-last=Park|editor-first=Nick|editor-link=Nick Park|publication-date=2008-07-31}}</ref> to celebrate ''Beano''{{'s}} 70th anniversary.
*[[Harry Hill]] (published 6 March 2013)<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=2013-03-06|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=|editor-last=Hill|editor-first=Harry|editor-link=Harry Hill}}</ref> edited the 2013 [[Red Nose Day]] special.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guide |first1=British Comedy |title=Harry Hill edits the Beano |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/harry_hill_edits_beano_comic/ |work=British Comedy Guide |date=8 March 2013 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711203856/https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/harry_hill_edits_beano_comic/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Harry Hill's close shave in 'Beano' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/harry-hill-s-close-shave-beano-8508263.html |work=The Independent |date=23 February 2013 |language=en |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006063928/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/harry-hill-s-close-shave-beano-8508263.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Andy Murray]] (28 June 2014)<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Anyone For Menace?!|date=2014-06-28|magazine=The Beano|publisher=DC Thomson|issue=|editor-last=Graham|editor-first=Craig|publication-date=2014-06-25}}</ref> edited the [[Wimbledon (tennis)|Wimbledon]] special.<ref>{{cite news |title=Andy Murray guest-edits the Beano |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jun/23/andy-murray-guest-edits-beano |work=The Guardian |date=22 June 2014 |language=en |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913182632/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jun/23/andy-murray-guest-edits-beano |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Andy Murray guest-edits The Beano comic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-27974270 |work=BBC News |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913182632/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-27974270 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[David Walliams]] (2018) edited issue 3945<ref name=issue3945>{{Cite magazine|title=44 Page Birthday Special!|date=2018-07-25|magazine=BEANO|editor-last=Walliams|editor-first=David|editor-link=David Walliams}}</ref> to celebrate the 80th anniversary.
*[[Joe Sugg]] (2021) edited issue 4077<ref name="Sugg">{{Cite magazine|title=Happy Birthday Dennis!|date=2021-03-20|magazine=BEANO|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=4077|editor-last=Sugg|editor-first=Joe|editor-link=Joe Sugg|publication-date=}}</ref> for ''Dennis the Menace''{{'s}} 70th anniversary.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=John |title=Happy Birthday, Dennis (the Menace)! Beano Celebrates a special 70th Anniversary (plus, 70 facts about the comic rebel) |url=https://downthetubes.net/?p=125582 |work=downthetubes.net |date=17 March 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006160937/https://downthetubes.net/?p=125582 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Marcus Rashford]] (2022) edited issue 4146<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-27 |title=Marcus Rashford: Man Utd striker becomes guest editor of Beano |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-62317040 |access-date=2022-07-27}}</ref> following the release of his book, ''[[Marcus Rashford#Literacy campaign|You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference]].''
*[[Leah Williamson]] (2023) edited issue 4212<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diamond |first=Drew |date=2023-11-15 |title=Leah Williamson guest edits Beano for 70th anniversary of Minnie the Minx |url=https://herfootballhub.com/leah-williamson-guest-edits-beano-for-70th-anniversary-of-minnie-the-minx/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Her Football Hub |language=en-GB}}</ref> to celebrate ''Minnie The Mix'' 70th anniversary.

===Notable artists===
{{div col|colwidth=20em|content=
* [[Barrie Appleby]]
* [[Nigel Auchterlounie]] creates ''The Numskulls''{{'s}} strips, but also has writer credits for other strips.
* [[Leo Baxendale]] created The Bash Street Kids and Minnie the Minx
* [[Gordon Bell (cartoonist)|Gordon Bell]]
* [[Basil Blackaller]]
* [[Paddy Brennan]]
* [[Nick Brennan]]
* [[Sid Burgon]]
* [[Reg Carter]] created the first cover star [[Big Eggo]].
* James Crighton also designed the first logo.
* [[Wilbur Dawbarn]]
* [[Hunt Emerson]]
* Sam Fair created comic strips for the spin-off annuals.
* [[Andy Fanton]]
* [[John Geering]]
* [[Barry Glennard]]
* [[Charles Grigg|Charlie Grigg]]
* [[Harry Hargreaves (cartoonist)|Harry Hargreaves]]
* [[Ken H. Harrison]]
* [[Laura Howell]] became the first female artist to create strips for the magazine in 2007.
* [[Diego Jourdan]]
* Malcolm Judge
* [[David Law (cartoonist)|David Law]]
* [[Trevor Metcalfe]]
* [[Allan Morley]]
* [[David Mostyn (cartoonist)|David Mostyn]]
* [[Vic Neill]]
* [[Robert Nixon (comics)|Robert Nixon]]
* [[Gary Northfield]]
* [[David Parkins]]
* [[Nigel Parkinson]] is considered the ''Beano'' ambassador, creating up to 20 strips for different stories a week.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=35}}<ref name="kids"/>
* [[Tom Paterson]]
* [[Mike Pearse]]
* [[Jim Petrie]] made 2000 Minnie the Minx stories.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=80}}
* [[Dean Rankine]]
* [[Ken Reid (comics)|Ken Reid]]
* [[Bill Ritchie]]
* [[Zoom Rockman]] became the youngest artist to have their work in ''The Beano'' at 12-years-old. His comic strips appeared exclusively in the 75th anniversary issue.
* [[Jon Rushby]]
* [[Cavan Scott]]
* [[Duncan Scott (comics)|Duncan Scott]]
* [[Jamie Smart]]
* [[Lew Stringer]]
* [[David Sutherland (comics)|David Sutherland]]
* [[Kev F. Sutherland]]
* [[Dudley D. Watkins]] was an employee of DC Thomson who had designed stories for a variety of the company's magazines over a decade before ''The Beano''{{'s}} first issue. He was the original creator of ''Morgyn the Mighty'' during its run in ''The Rover''.<ref name="Morgyn"/>
* [[Stevie White]]
}}

==Merchandise==
[[File:Beanoland at Chessington - geograph.org.uk - 681527.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The now-defunct ''Beanoland'' at [[Chessington World of Adventures]] in the UK.]]
From the first issue, readers have received free gifts from ''The Beano'': toy masks,<ref name="issue1"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1938-12-17|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref> sweets,<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1938-08-06|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1988-06-04|magazine=The Beano|publisher=DC Thomson|issue=2394|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1938-11-05|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George}}</ref> posters,<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1988-07-30|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2402|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan}}</ref> and toys.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1980-04-26|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1971}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1985-09-28|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2254|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan}}</ref> Originally, free gifts would be attached inside the cover or strategically on the front so that it could distract the buyer from other comics next to ''The Beano'' on the shelves, hopefully excited for the next issue after reading it and eating/playing with the toys.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=45}} Gifts were intentionally sporadic, especially during the Christmas period when families' money would be saved for food and presents.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=45}} Issue 90<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1940-04-13|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|editor-last=Gilchrist|editor-first=Stuart}}</ref> would be the last issue with a gift ([[licorice]] "black eye"){{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=307}} due to [[rationing]], the next free gift being the Flying Snorter Balloon in issue 953.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=327}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1960-10-22|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=953|editor-last=Cramond|editor-first=Harold}}</ref> The most popular free gift was issue 2201's Gnasher Snapper,<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1984-09-29|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2201}}</ref> a prank toy that would make a bang sound when unfolded, and was re-gifted occasionally in later issues, as well as the 60th anniversary.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=44}}

During the 25th anniversary of ''Dennis the Menace'', The Dennis the Menace Fan Club was formed. The fan club was instantly popular, recalls Euan Kerr in 1984; "The club enrolled over 2000 new members every week, well into the 90s[.]"{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p= 51}} Membership was 30p, and new members received a membership card full of classified communication tactics and two badges: a red one with Dennis' face on the front{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=208}} and a furry one of a [[googly eyes|googly-eyed]] Gnasher face—the latter was the most sought-after badge in the club's history.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=51}} For two years, there was a tie-in [[agony aunt]] page called ''Dear Dennis'' (issue 1679–1767) where fan club members sent Dennis their problems that Dennis would reply to in the following issue; thousands of letters would arrive at DC Thomson per week and the authors of the messages would receive prizes.{{sfnmp|''History of The Beano''|2008|1p=208|''80 Years''|2018|2p=51}} The club would be renamed The Beano Club, which ended in 2010, but had over 1.5 million members.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=208}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Beano Club closed to new members |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-11212686 |work=BBC News |date=7 September 2010 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711134426/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-11212686 |url-status=live }}</ref> A spin-off was introduced called Gnasher's Fang Club, and Gnasher would ask readers to send him stories about their pets' adventures which could be printed into the next issue. "The mailbag of little drawings of pets was several thousand per week," remembers sub-editor Morris Heggie. "And the popularity lasted and lasted."{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p= 51}}

The 21st century celebrated anniversaries with more memorabilia. For ''The Beano''{{'s}} 70th birthday, DC Thomson published ''The Beano Special Collectors Edition: 70 Years of Fun'' (2008),<ref>{{cite book |title=The Beano : Special Collector's Edition: 1938–2008 – 70 Years of Fun |date=2008 |publisher=DC Thomson |isbn=978-1845352677}}</ref> and ''The History of The Beano'' (2008) was published by Waverly Books, both documenting the magazine's history; two exhibitions at the [[University of Dundee]] (''Happy Birthday, Beano!'') and [[The Cartoon Museum]] (''Beano and [[The Dandy|Dandy]] Birthday Bash!'') showed the public private DC Thomson artwork and the history of the magazine.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Anonymous (24 Hour Museum Staff) |title=London's Cartoon Museum Celebrates 70 Years Of ''The Beano'' {{!}} Culture24 |url=https://www.culture24.org.uk/art/art59988 |work=www.culture24.org.uk |date=13 August 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210909143646/https://www.culture24.org.uk/art/art59988 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Happy Birthday ''Beano'' : Museum : University of Dundee |url=https://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/exhibitions/comics/beano2/ |website=www.dundee.ac.uk |publisher=[[University of Dundee]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210706211516/https://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/exhibitions/comics/beano2/ |archive-date=6 July 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2021 }}</ref> For 2018, readers could buy a box for the 80th anniversary containing posters, reprints of selected older issues, and two books updating the previous documentation of the magazine's history,<ref name=boxset>{{cite web|url=https://dcthomsonshop.co.uk/beano-80-years-of-fun-box-set|title=Beano 80 Years of Fun Box Set|website=dcthomsonshop.co.uk|date=2018|access-date=14 February 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210630192944/https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/beano-80-years-of-fun-box-set}}</ref> as well as ''[[Minnie the Minx]]''{{'s}} origins.<ref name="boxset"/>{{sfnp|''Minnie 65''|2018}} Both anniversaries had tie-in museum exhibitions that also told their audiences the magazine's history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Happy Birthday Beano : Museum : University of Dundee |url=https://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/exhibitions/comics/beano2/ |work=[[University of Dundee]] |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909142551/https://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/exhibitions/comics/beano2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=McManus to become the 'McMenace' for Beano show in Dundee |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/16385006.mcmanus-become-mcmenace-beano-show-dundee/ |work=The National |date=30 July 2018 |language=en |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713031442/https://www.thenational.scot/news/16385006.mcmanus-become-mcmenace-beano-show-dundee/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Limited-edition figurines from Robert Harrop were available to buy from their official website in late 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=John |title=Billy the Cat Collectable |url=http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.com/2008/11/billy-cat-collectable.html |work=Down the Tubes |date=18 November 2008 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185029/http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.com/2008/11/billy-cat-collectable.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The 21st century also began ''Beano''{{'s}} branching into different mediums: their first website, Beanotown.com, formed in 2000,<ref name="branching">{{cite news |title=A Menace to young people |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/259548339/ |work=The Guardian |date=6 July 2000 |page=65 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712075727/http://www.newspapers.com/image/259548339/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Chessington World of Adventures]] opened Beanoland in the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Theme Park, Zoo & Aquarium History {{!}} Chessington|url=https://www.chessington.com/our-company/history/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210708165308/https://www.chessington.com/our-company/history/|archive-date=8 July 2021|website=Chessington World of Adventures|quote=Beanoland opens, bringing to life the mayhem and mischief of Dennis the Menace and his friends. Rides include Billy's Wizzer (now Monkey Swinger) & Roger the Dodgers Dodgems (now Tuk Tuk Turmoil).|access-date=18 July 2021}}</ref> Both would later discontinue but Beanotown.com would be revamped as beano.com, a website full of games, ''Beano'' secrets and other activities for children. Gulliver's Travels opened the Beano 6 Super Ride in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beano: Making Mischief! |url=https://www.gulliverskingdomresort.co.uk/beano |website=Gulliver's Theme Park Resorts |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210707150031/https://www.gulliverskingdomresort.co.uk/beano |archive-date=7 July 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Beano'' was also the face of the United Kingdom's 2018 [[Summer Reading Challenge]], called Mischief Makers,<ref>{{cite web|first=Natasha|last=Onwuemezi|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/summer-reading-challenge-stats-678486|title=Beano inspires next year's Summer Reading Challenge|website=thebookseller.com|date=22 November 2017|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214135514/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/summer-reading-challenge-stats-678486|archive-date=14 February 2019}}</ref> which included a special Dennis the Menace novel tie-in called ''Dennis the Menace and the Chamber of Mischief'' by Beano artist Nigel Auchterlounie.<ref name=Beanotown1>{{cite web|url=https://www.beano.com/posts/dennis-and-the-chamber-of-mischief|title=The Totally Epic Dennis and the Chamber of Mischief Book Is Out Now!|website=beano.com|date=2018|access-date=14 February 2019|quote="When Beanotown suddenly becomes Boring-town Dennis decides to take action. Rediscovering the legendary Peashooter of Everlasting Fun is his only hope, even if it means he has to face the ferocious Gnashersaurus rex to do it! His quest leads him to the mysterious Chamber of Mischief, a tricky labyrinth of puzzles and games – which Dennis needs YOU to solve. Join Dennis, Gnasher, Minnie the Minx and Walter on this interactive adventure and help restore Beanotown's unpredictable awesomeness!"|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214140734/https://www.beano.com/posts/dennis-and-the-chamber-of-mischief|url-status=live}}</ref> The Dennis the Menace Fan Club was re-launched as a [[phone app]], rebranded as The Dennis and Gnasher Fan Club, and allowed readers free membership, printable badges, and pranks.<ref>{{cite web|first=Joel|last=Adams|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/29/beano-relaunches-prank-filled-fan-club-80th-birthday/|title=The Beano relaunches prank-filled fan club for 80th birthday|website=telegraph.co.uk|date=30 July 2018|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214133929/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/29/beano-relaunches-prank-filled-fan-club-80th-birthday/|archive-date=14 February 2019}}</ref> On television, the [[Sky Kids (TV channel)|Sky Kids]] show ''SO Beano!'' aired;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/beanoofficial/status/1058645028594180096?lang=en|title=We've created a brand new SO Beano! show with @SkyKidsOfficial packed with fun, special guests and lots ...|website=[[Twitter]]|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=8 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808143041/https://twitter.com/beanoofficial/status/1058645028594180096?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> a TV show with special guests, children presenters, and fun and games,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ghoyQVUnmc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/8ghoyQVUnmc| archive-date=2021-11-23 | url-status=live|title=SO Beano is HERE!|website=[[YouTube]]|date=3 November 2018|access-date=11 February 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> in a similar style to ''[[Friday Download]]'' and ''[[Scrambled!]]''

===Annuals===
The first Beano annual hardcover book was published as far back as 1939, a year after the first weekly comic was published.  In 2018, it was estimated that an original first issue Beano annual in relatively good condition could fetch between £1,200 to £1,500.<ref>[[Gibraltar Chronicle]] newspaper 23/08/2018; Page 14</ref>

===Spin-off comics===
====Comic libraries====
{{Main|Fun Size Comics}}
Since 1982 the comic, along with ''The Dandy'', has also run "Comic Library" titles. Released monthly, these titles are a feature-length (usually about 64-page) adventure, featuring a character from the comic itself. They are available in A5 size only. In 1998, these were replaced by the ''[[Fun Size Comics|Fun Size Beano]]''. Fun Size Comics were discontinued in late 2010.

====''Beano Specials''====
The comic also ran A4-sized ''[[Beano Specials]]'' in 1987 with full coloured pages, which later were replaced by ''[[Beano Superstars]]'' which ran for 121 issues from 1992 to 2002. These were similar to the Comic Library series. Some of the last issues were printed versions of episodes from the 1996–1998 [[Dennis the Menace and Gnasher (1996 TV series)|''Dennis and Gnasher'' animated TV series]]. A ''Beano Poster Comic'' series was also printed in the early 1990s.

The Beano Specials returned in 2003, and are now published seasonally. The issues were numbered, and the first one was a Dennis and Friends special, the last a Christmas reprint special. These were replaced by BeanoMAX in early 2007.

====BeanoMAX====
{{Main|EPIC Magazine}}
On 15 February 2007, the first issue of a monthly comic entitled ''BeanoMAX'' was published. The sister comic features many of the same characters; however, the stories in ''BeanoMAX'' are written in a longer format meant for 10- to 13-year-olds. The first issue was a [[Comic Relief (charity)|Comic Relief]] special featuring assorted [[celebrity]] guests. The magazine has been rebranded several times since 2013, and is currently known as ''EPIC Magazine''.

====''Plug''====
{{main|Plug (comics)}}
''Plug'' was a comic based on the eponymous character from ''[[The Bash Street Kids]]'' that began with issue dated 24 September 1977, and is notable for being the first comic to make use of [[rotogravure]] printing. The magazine similar in style to I.P.C's ''Krazy'' which had started the previous year. It contained uncharacteristically outlandish material for D C. Thomson, as well as later including celebrity appearances in the comic.

The comic revealed Plug's full name to be Percival Proudfoot Plugsley and also gave him a pet monkey by the name of Chumkee. Plug's strip was mostly drawn by [[Vic Neill]] but other artists, including [[Dave Gudgeon]] drew some later strips. Other strips included ''Antchester United'', ''Violent Elizabeth'', ''Eebagoom'', ''Hugh's Zoo'' and ''D'ye Ken John Squeal and his Hopeless Hounds''.

The venture was unsuccessful, in part because the comic cost 9p, with the ''Beano'' at the time only costing 4p and most of its rivals priced similarly. It merged with ''[[The Beezer]]'' on 24 February 1979.

====''Dennis and Gnasher''====
The brand new ''Dennis and Gnasher'' was launched separately from ''The Beano'' in September 2009. It coincided with their new cartoon on [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] [[Dennis and Gnasher (2009 TV series)|of the same name]].

====''BeanOLD''====
44-page special issue 4062, with cover date 21 November 2020, during a [[COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns|lockdown]] in the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]] had an eight-page adult pullout named ''BeanOLD'', with cartoons poking fun at British politicians such as [[Boris Johnson]] and [[Dominic Cummings]], and with appearances by [[Greta Thunberg]], [[Captain Tom]], and footballer [[Marcus Rashford]]. The slogan was "2020 has been tough. So tough that even grown-ups need ''Beano''".<ref name=Beanotown2>{{Cite web |title=Inside Beano no. 4062 – The Coolest Kid in Beanotown! |work=The Beano |date=21 November 2020 |url=https://www.beano.com/posts/inside-beano-no-4062-the-coolest-kid-in-beanotown |access-date=18 November 2020 |archive-date=18 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118090029/https://www.beano.com/posts/inside-beano-no-4062-the-coolest-kid-in-beanotown |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Boris the Menace? Beano to publish first comic for grownups |last=Brown |first=Mark |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 November 2020 |access-date=18 November 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/18/boris-the-menace-beano-to-publish-first-comic-for-grownups |archive-date=18 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118061649/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/18/boris-the-menace-beano-to-publish-first-comic-for-grownups |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Beano Studios==
{{More|Beano Studios}}
In June 2016, DC Thomson launched Beano Studios,{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=68}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Franks |first1=Nico |date=2016-10-05 |title=Beano takes CGI Dennis to CBBC |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/beano-takes-cgi-dennis-to-cbbc/?ss=beano+studios |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711203730/https://www.c21media.net/news/beano-takes-cgi-dennis-to-cbbc/?ss=beano+studios |archive-date=11 July 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021 |work=C21media |quote=Since launching in June, Beano Studios...}}</ref> a spin-off media studio based in London and Dundee, to create media for children and expand The Beano franchise. The launch was marked in The Beano issue 3854, featuring a new cover design, updated logo, and the introduction of the website beano.com.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=John |date=25 September 2016 |title=The Beano launches major revamp, physical and digital, new TV show in the works? |url=https://downthetubes.net/?p=34092 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220044212/https://downthetubes.net/?p=34092 |archive-date=20 February 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021 |work=Down the Tubes}}</ref> 

Michael Stirling, former chief editor, returned as head of the Dundee studio,{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=68}} with Jodie Morris, James Neal, Nigel Pickard, and Emma Scott joining in key roles.<ref name="babysitter">{{cite news |date=8 June 2016 |title=Dennis the Menace to get CGI makeover as Beano targets YouTube generation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/08/dennis-the-menace-beano-youtube-tv-series-movie-magazine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717171552/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/08/dennis-the-menace-beano-youtube-tv-series-movie-magazine |archive-date=17 July 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="studios">{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=John |date=8 June 2016 |title=Beano Studios Launched, revamp on the way for comic, web site and new Dennis the Menace TV show in the works |url=https://downthetubes.net/?p=31675 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201025145252/https://downthetubes.net/?p=31675 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |access-date=18 July 2021 |work=Down the Tubes}}</ref> The website beano.com offers games, news, videos, and content that appeals to children and nostalgic parents alike, drawing over two million annual visitors. This online presence contributed to a 10% rise in comic sales by 2018. 

Beano Studios quickly expanded its reach with the popular CBBC series Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! in 2017, which aired in over 90 countries and earned an International Emmy nomination. Building on this success, Beano Studios pursued new projects including a live-action Minnie the Minx show, another Dennis the Menace adaptation, and a Bananaman cartoon in collaboration with Fox Entertainment.

==Reception and legacy==
[[File:Beano Comic Stamp.jpg|thumb|left|upright|''Beano'' stamp issued by [[Royal Mail]] in 2012.]]
''The Beano'' was an instant success upon release, and became the longest-running, weekly-issued comic of all time in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Longest-running comic published weekly |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/72845-longest-running-comic-published-weekly |website=[[Guinness World Records]] |date=4 September 2018 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322040027/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/72845-longest-running-comic-published-weekly |url-status=live }}</ref> Although interest in comic magazines dwindled, it survived surrounding setbacks. In the 1950s, it (and ''The Dandy'') were unaffected by DC Thomson's magazine cancellations (selling over 100 million per year)<ref name="List">{{cite news |title=The Beano |url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/14523-the-beano/ |work=The List |date=27 November 2008 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713005524/https://www.list.co.uk/article/14523-the-beano/ |url-status=live }}</ref> that were caused by both paper rationing and public lack of interest.<ref>{{harvp|McAleer|1992|p=169}}</ref> Alan Digby's attempt to boost sales with the 8-week "[[Gnasher#"Who's Gnicked Gnasher?" publicity stunt|Missing Gnasher]]"<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Dennis the Menace|date=1986-03-29|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=2280|editor-last=Kerr|editor-first=Euan}}</ref> plot in ''Dennis the Menace'' failed,{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=67}} but the story featured in newspapers and on radio broadcasts, causing people of all ages to contact ''Beano'' offices to voice their concerns.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=63}} Roughly 31,000–41,000 copies are sold per week in the present day,<ref>{{cite news |title=Was Pixar's Inside Out inspired by The Beano? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/pixar/11766202/Was-Pixars-Inside-Out-inspired-by-The-Beano.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412090211/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/pixar/11766202/Was-Pixars-Inside-Out-inspired-by-The-Beano.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=John |title=British Comic Sales Figures, Winners and Losers (July – December 2018): Beano continues to shine |url=https://downthetubes.net/?p=104847 |work=Down the Tubes |date=20 February 2019 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928222235/https://downthetubes.net/?p=104847 |url-status=live }}</ref> but an estimated 2 billion ''Beano'' comic magazines have been sold in its lifetime.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=91}} A 1997 television poll by the [[National Comics Awards]] selected it for the Best British Comic Ever award.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=338}} Dennis the Menace would represent the comic when [[Royal Mail]] launched a special stamp collection in 2012, celebrating Britain's rich comic book history.<ref name=stamp>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17421394 |title=Beano's Dennis the Menace on Royal Mail comic stamps |work=BBC News |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320010335/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17421394 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Dandy]]'', ''[[Eagle (comic)|Eagle]]'', ''[[The Topper (comics)|The Topper]]'', ''[[Roy of the Rovers (comic)|Roy of the Rovers]]'', ''[[Bunty]]'', ''[[Buster (comics)|Buster]]'', ''[[Valiant (comics)|Valiant]]'', ''[[Twinkle (comics)|Twinkle]]'' and ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]'' were also featured.<ref name=stamp/>

Like ''The Dandy'', ''The Beano'' is a definitive part of British pop culture. "It's refreshing to see how the [zany] principles that made it such a hit all those years ago have remained to this day." writes ''Coventry Evening Telegraph''.<ref name="oldies">{{cite news |title=Congratulations to the Beano! – 4,000 issues and still going |url=https://www.theoldie.co.uk/blog/congratulations-to-the-beano-4000-issues-and-still-going |work=The Oldie |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190547/https://www.theoldie.co.uk/blog/congratulations-to-the-beano-4000-issues-and-still-going |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Beano'' annuals are the most popular Christmas annual sold,<ref>{{cite news |title=Beano Annual takes Xmas No 1 spot |url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/beano-annual-takes-xmas-no-1-spot-5946 |work=www.inpublishing.co.uk |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711015450/https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/beano-annual-takes-xmas-no-1-spot-5946 |url-status=live }}</ref> and old issues sell for thousands at auctions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Milmo|first=Cahal|date=2004-03-18|title=Debut ''Beano'' fetches £12,000 as comics come back into fashion|work=The Independent|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/722252821/|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=13 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713092228/https://www.newspapers.com/image/722252821/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Original first issue of the Beano on offer on eBay… for £25,000 |url=https://downthetubes.net/?p=99193 |work=Down the Tubes |date=22 July 2018 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201175610/https://downthetubes.net/?p=99193 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Lord Snooty]] is often [[Lord Snooty#"Lord Snooty" as slang|used]] as a [[pejorative]] in British politics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=MacDonell |first1=Hamish |title=Salmond Tears into the Tory-led "Lord Snootys" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/724211155/ |work=[[The Independent]] |date=2012-10-21 |page=18 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629203045/https://www.newspapers.com/image/724211155/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Why Lord Snooty is the ideal role model for David Cameron|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/6727994/Why-Lord-Snooty-is-the-ideal-role-model-for-David-Cameron.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/6727994/Why-Lord-Snooty-is-the-ideal-role-model-for-David-Cameron.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-status=live|last=Moore|first=Charles |date=4 December 2009|access-date=|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|url-access=subscription}}{{cbignore}}</ref> DC Thomson considers the 1950s ''Beano''{{'s}} golden age{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=105}} possibly because of many commemorations based on the strips that first appeared from that decade: Dennis became the literal and metaphorical mascot of the magazine, his increasing popularity making him the last consistent cover star{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=204}} and his strips spawning three BBC animated adaptations; [[Minnie the Minx|Minnie]] and the [[Bash Street Kids]] have a statue and a street named after the strip, respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Beano characters the Bash Street Kids to have street named in their honour|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-20179438|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=12 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712055356/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-20179438|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=14 July 2001|title=Dandy character 'immortalised'|work=BBC News Online|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1438517.stm|quote=[Desperate Dan's statue] is depicted being stalked by a catapault-wielding version of Minnie the Minx from rival comic ''The Beano''.|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=24 November 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021124080705/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1438517.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Statue of Minnie the Minx {{!}} Mapping Memorials to Women in Scotland |url=http://womenofscotland.org.uk/memorials/statue-minnie-minx |website=womenofscotland.org.uk |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210708162339/http://womenofscotland.org.uk/memorials/statue-minnie-minx |archive-date=8 July 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=15 years ago: Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx statues unveiled in Dundee |url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/15-years-ago-desperate-dan-minnie-minx-statues-unveiled-dundee/ |work=Evening Telegraph |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711125325/https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/15-years-ago-desperate-dan-minnie-minx-statues-unveiled-dundee/|archive-date=2021-07-11|date=2016-07-18}}</ref> The "anarchic" humour is credited as the key to the magazine's longevity,<ref>{{cite news |title=Eastcombe-based comic artist Leo Baxendale, creator of Minnie the Minx and The Bash Street Kids, dies aged 86 |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/15251037.eastcombe-based-comic-artist-leo-baxendale-creator-of-minnie-the-minx-and-the-bash-street-kids-dies-aged-86/ |work=Stroud News and Journal |quote=[''Beano'' strips are about] underdogs long controlled and oppressed by the adult world around them and [''Beano''{{'s}} artists, such as Leo Baxendale] gave them a voice and actions with which to fight back in hilariously anarchic fashion, allowed them to step into the limelight and control their own destinies. Children of the time responded to that, writing fan letters of glee and appreciation |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185837/https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/15251037.eastcombe-based-comic-artist-leo-baxendale-creator-of-minnie-the-minx-and-the-bash-street-kids-dies-aged-86/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="culture">{{cite news |last1=Chalmers |first1=Tori |title=A Brief History of 'The Beano', Scotland's Beloved Comic |url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-beano-scotlands-beloved-comic/ |work=Culture Trip |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713084247/https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-beano-scotlands-beloved-comic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as its refusal to be condescending to its readers: "''The Beano'' may have changed since the '30s but has always maintained its anti-authoritarian stance and steadfast refusal to treat children like idiots," theorised Morris Heggie.<ref name="List"/>
{{quote box|quote=My British-born grandparents made sure they passed down an important part of their culture by giving out ''Beano'' Annuals every year. I grew up on  ''Beano''s and ''Dandy''s in 1970s Canada, and become one of my country's leading kids' cartoonists, writing and drawing for [[Chickadee (magazine)|''Chickadee'' magazines]] and annuals, and creating a weekly comic strip for the ''[[Toronto Star]]''. I'm forever in debt to the lowbrow lessons gleaned from Dennis and his ilk.
|author=[[Jay Stephens]], 2003<ref name=Appleby>{{cite news |title=BBC NEWS {{!}} UK {{!}} Magazine {{!}} Drawing Dennis: The Beano at 65 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3090659.stm |work=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=5 July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040705002748/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3090659.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
 |width = 30%
 |align = right
}}
The magazine is cited as an inspiration to many readers. ''Beano'' artists Emily McGorman-Bruce, [[Zoom Rockman]], Jess Bradley, and [[Barrie Appleby]] were avid readers of the magazine and/or its annuals before they became creators of its new strips.<ref name="Appleby"/><ref name="zoom">{{cite news |title=Teen cartoonist makes influence list |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-24163405 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709191815/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-24163405 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfnp|''Minnie 65''|2018|pp=64–65}} Meanwhile, ''The Beano'' inspired comic artists [[Jay Stephens]],<ref name="Appleby"/> Carolyn Edwards ([[Titan Comics]]) and [[webcomic]] creator Sarah Millman (''NPC Tea'', ''The Heart of Time'') to either work in the creative industry or create their own stories.{{sfnp|''Minnie 65''|2018|pp=64–65}} [[Alan Moore]] theorised the magazine influenced numerous British comic artists into reimagining American comics in the 1980s by pioneering the [[Modern Age of Comic Books|Dark Age]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Beano legend Leo Baxendale dies aged 86 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/apr/27/beano-legend-leo-baxendale-dies-aged-86 |work=The Guardian |date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210924174649/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/apr/27/beano-legend-leo-baxendale-dies-aged-86 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |quote=According to the comic writer [[Alan Moore]], who read [Leo Baxendale's] work in ''The Beano'' as a child, Baxendale was the reason British comics creators made waves in America during the 1980s. 'We started out ingesting the genuine anarchy of ''the Beano'', when Baxendale was doing all that wonderful stuff, and then we moved on to American comics,' he told journalist [[Paul Gravett]] in 2013. 'We just became fascinated with all that gaudy exotica.' |url-status=live |access-date=24 September 2021 }}</ref> Guest chief-editors [[Nick Park]], [[David Walliams]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=John |title=Author and Comedian David Walliams guest-edits Birthday Beano! |url=https://downthetubes.net/?p=99179 |work=Down the Tubes |date=20 July 2018 |quote='"I don't think I'd have got into writing my books without ''Beano''. When coming up with characters for my TV shows and books, I'd imagine them all as larger than life characters, much like the ones in ''Beano''.' |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118133623/https://downthetubes.net/?p=99179 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Joe Sugg]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Sugg to guest-edit special anniversary issue of Beano comic |url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/joe-sugg-to-guest-edit-special-anniversary-issue-of-beano-comic-40185337.html |work=independent |language=en |quote='I grew up with Dennis, reading ''Beano'' each week, and I can't wait for readers to see all the fun, pranks, and surprises we've worked into the special issue. This really is a dream project for me.' |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711041508/https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/joe-sugg-to-guest-edit-special-anniversary-issue-of-beano-comic-40185337.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Harry Hill]] are also fans of ''The Beano'', with Park admitting "My dream job was always to work on ''The Beano'' and it's such an honour for me to be Guest Editor[.]"{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=303}}

Notable famous members of the old Dennis the Menace/Beano Club include [[Auberon Waugh]], [[Mike Read]], and [[Mark Hamill]],{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=55}} as well as honorary members [[Paul Gascoigne]], and Princes [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|William]] and [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Harry]].<ref name="celebs">{{cite news |title=Why grown-ups can still love naughty Dennis |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/725453848/ |work=[[The Evening Standard]] |date=1992-04-09 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185155/https://www.newspapers.com/image/725453848/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Chris Tarrant]] cited Dennis as his role model when he was a child,<ref name="celebs"/> and [[Paul Rudd]]<ref>{{cite news |title='Ant-Man and the Wasp' Stars Didn't Read Marvel Comics as Kids |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/ant-man-and-the-wasp-rudd-lilly-archie-riverdale-beano-he-man-she-ra/ |work=Comicbook.com |date=July 1, 2018 |quote=“My favorite comic book as a kid — my parents are British, and I used to read these British comics called ''Beano''. And there was ''The Dandy'' and ''The Beano'', and I loved them. They were funny comics,” said funnyman Paul Rudd |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712095007/https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/ant-man-and-the-wasp-rudd-lilly-archie-riverdale-beano-he-man-she-ra/ |url-status=live }}</ref> revealed ''[[Roger the Dodger]]'' was his favourite strip.<ref name="Armstrong">{{cite web|last=Armstrong|first=Stephen|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/pixar/11766202/Was-Pixars-Inside-Out-inspired-by-The-Beano.html|title=Was Pixar's Inside Out inspired by The Beano?|website=telegraph.co.uk|date=27 July 2015 |access-date=27 July 2015|archive-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412090211/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/pixar/11766202/Was-Pixars-Inside-Out-inspired-by-The-Beano.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Stella McCartney]] created tribute fashion to both ''The Beano'' and ''The Dandy'', explaining they were "a huge part of my childhood" and wanted to celebrate "the next generation of ''Beano'' fans with a sustainable and practical range for kids who still share that ‘Beano’ spirit of these iconic characters".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Street |first1=Chloe |title=Stella McCartney is launching a Beano-inspired childrenswear range |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/stella-mccartney-beano-childrenswear-range-a3824556.html |work=The Evening Standard |date=26 April 2018 |language=en |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711121021/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/stella-mccartney-beano-childrenswear-range-a3824556.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In music pop culture, the album ''[[Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton]]'' is nicknamed "The Beano Album" because [[Eric Clapton]] is holding issue 1242<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Beano|date=1966-05-07|magazine=The Beano|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1242|editor-last=Cramond|editor-first=Harold}}</ref> on its cover.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Havers |first1=Richard |title=The Beano Album: John Mayall's Blues Breakers And Eric Clapton Create A Classic |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-beano-album/ |work=uDiscover Music |date=22 July 2019 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216163116/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-beano-album/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Audience participation===
Interaction with the audience is a historic practice in ''The Beano''{{'s}} history. Excluding fan clubs and merchandise, ''[[Comic Idol]]'' is a sporadic election in which readers vote for their favourite strips to keep in the magazine.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=292}} Cancelled strips with the least votes include ''[[Little Plum]]'', ''[[Baby Face Finlayson]]'', ''[[Les Pretend]]'',{{refn|group=Note|name=Return|Although discontinued in 2007,{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=292}} the strips would later return to the magazine.}} ''[[Calamity James]]'',{{refn|group=Note|name=Return}} ''[[Crazy for Daisy]]'', and ''Lord Snooty''.{{refn|group=Note|name=Return}} ''[[Super School]]'' and ''[[Meebo and Zuky]]'' were nominees who won polls and became official strips in the following issues.<ref>{{cite news |title=ICE 2014 Adds Lew Stringer to {{as written|i|t's [sic]}} Growing Guestlist |url=https://internationlcomicexpo.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/ice-2014-adds-lew-stringer-to-its-growing-guestlist/ |work=ICE – The International Comic Expo |date=1 June 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210709081327/https://internationlcomicexpo.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/ice-2014-adds-lew-stringer-to-its-growing-guestlist/ |archive-date=9 July 2021 |quote=In October 2008 Lew's artwork began to appear on a new regular series for THE BEANO entitled Super School which proved very popular in the readers poll. |access-date=18 July 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Swanson |first1=Brian |title=Now Obama joins the Beano |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/201705/Now-Obama-joins-the-Beano |work=Express.co.uk |date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210709081140/https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/201705/Now-Obama-joins-the-Beano |archive-date=9 July 2021 |quote=Meebo and Zuky, drawn by artist Laura Howell, won a readers’ poll to find a new regular story for the popular Dundee-based comic. |access-date=18 July 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> Readers would find a voting slip covered with the candidates printed in an issue that they would fill out and mail to DC Thomson, but the creation of ''Beano''{{'s}} websites would allow real-time opinions from readers.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=292}} ''Pets' Picture Gallery'' invited readers to send drawings of their pets to feature in the following issue.{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=218}}

Readers participated in the magazine's record-breaking stunts. In 1988, 100 children helped Euan Kerr and ''Beano'' scriptwriter Al Bernard recreate the front cover of issue 2396 on [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough Beach]] with Hann-Made Productions.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=98}} It was awarded the Largest Comic Strip at 39950 square feet.{{sfnp|''80 Years''|2018|p=98}} ''Beano''{{'s}} 2018 comic competition to celebrate the opening of [[V&A Dundee]] was awarded the biggest competition to finish a comic strip with 650 participants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beano breaks world record with comic comp at V&A Dundee |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/16882343.beano-breaks-world-record-comic-comp-v-dundee/ |work=The National |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210705095246/https://www.thenational.scot/news/16882343.beano-breaks-world-record-comic-comp-v-dundee/ |archive-date=5 July 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Along with Nick Park's guest editor issue, the 70th anniversary coincided with Gnashional Menace Day, a [[CLIC Sargent]]-partnered event where readers could be sponsored "behaving like Dennis" for charity.<ref name="culture"/>

===Controversy===
''The Beano'' has had a few controversies throughout its lifetime, but aspects have either been discontinued, phased out or changed to not cause offence. Its infamous changes are the removal of [[corporal punishment]] (e.g. Dennis the Menace often depicted receiving bottom [[spanking|spank]]s with a [[slipper]] by his furious father)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mortimer |first1=Lynne |title=Memories of comic book capers |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/corporal-punishment-free-beano-2483976 |work=East Anglian Daily Times |date=14 August 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210705163300/https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/corporal-punishment-free-beano-2483976 |archive-date=5 July 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> and misbehaving characters abandoning [[slingshots]]—the latter irritating former readers for being a "[[politically correct]]" notion, usually highlighted with claim "Dennis has lost his menace".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=John |title=Beano creators hit back at media sniping as comic hits 80, buoyed by success of new "Dennis and Gnasher" TV show |url=https://downthetubes.net/?p=42241 |work=Down the Tubes |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512232011/https://downthetubes.net/?p=42241 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Beano are changing Dennis the Menace's name |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dennis-menace-rebrand-beano-cbbc-cartoon-a8130436.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=27 December 2017 |quote=The removal of the word menace and the rebrand comes as a new CBBC series, ''[[Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed!]]'', which will embrace difference and diversity, is set to start [...] ''Beano'' bosses have denied the change is a concession to political correctness. |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711083017/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dennis-menace-rebrand-beano-cbbc-cartoon-a8130436.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Sean |title=Softy Dennis no longer a menace |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/softy-dennis-no-longer-a-menace-m7qwpnbh3 |work=The Times |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712125745/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/softy-dennis-no-longer-a-menace-m7qwpnbh3 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dennis Without The Menace Bad Idea|work=Bristol Evening Post|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Dennis-menace-bad-idea-says-Beano-illustrator/article-1255822-detail/article.html|access-date=14 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819132138/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Dennis-menace-bad-idea-says-Beano-illustrator/article-1255822-detail/article.html|archive-date=19 August 2009|quote=The classic comic tearaway has been turned into a softie by politically correct TV bosses worried he might set a bad example to children. They have banned the black-haired bully from using his trusty catapult, water pistol and pea shooter in the new cartoon series [''[[Dennis and Gnasher (2009 TV series)|Dennis and Gnasher]]''] which starts on [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] next month.}}</ref>
[[Image:Beano Jan 6 1940.jpg|thumb|Peanut stands to the masthead's left holding a slice of watermelon.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Big Eggo|date=1940-01-06|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|publication-date=1940-01-02}}</ref>]]
Racist depictions and terminology have been removed through the years as well. ''[[Little Plum]]''{{'s}} sub-title "Your [[redskin]] chum"{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=143}} was not included in its 2002 revival.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Little Plum|date=2002-12-28|magazine=The Beano|last=Emerson|first=Hunt|publisher=DC Thomson|issue=3154}}</ref> The first [[masthead (British publishing)|masthead]] character was a caricatured design of a [[Black people|black boy]] named Peanut, mascot of the ''Little Peanut's Page of Fun'' joke page (appeared from issues 1 to 112),<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Little Peanut's Page of Fun|date=1938-07-30|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=1|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|publication-date=1938-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Little Peanut's Page of Fun|date=1940-09-14|magazine=The Beano Comic|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|issue=112|editor-last=Moonie|editor-first=George|publication-date=}}</ref> usually [[Watermelon stereotype|eating watermelon]]. His last masthead feature was in December 1947, but subsequent reprints of the first issues have removed him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=John |title=Original first issue of the Beano on offer on eBay… for £25,000 |url=https://downthetubes.net/?p=99193 |work=Down the Tubes |date=22 July 2018 |quote=This original copy includes pages excised from reprints in recent years, removed for their now stereotyped portrayal of “Peanut”, the comic's original masthead character, today regarded as inappropriate.  |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201175610/https://downthetubes.net/?p=99193 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Hard-Nut the [[Nigger]]''<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Moonie |editor1-first=George |title=The Beano Book 1940 |date=1939 |publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. |chapter=Hard-Nut the Nigger}}</ref> and ''Musso the [[Wop]]''<ref name="Mussolini"/> have not had reprints since their last appearances, the latter being printed during [[World War II]] when Britain was at war with [[Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|Fascist Italy]].{{refn|group=Note|''Mussolini the Wop''{{'s}} example reprint in ''The History of The Beano'' has "Wop" conspicuously hidden underneath a drawing of war planes flying past the [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]].{{sfnp|''History of The Beano''|2008|p=77}}}}

Some changes were to not convince readers bullying was acceptable. Dennis and Gnasher's constant targeting of passive, diligent [[Walter the Softy|Walter "the Softy"]] (who was also a knitting and flower-picking hobbyist)<ref>{{cite news |last1=O’Neill |first1=Sean |title=Softy Dennis no longer a menace |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/softy-dennis-no-longer-a-menace-m7qwpnbh3 |work=The Times |quote=Studious and bespectacled, Walter Brown was the super Softy: he wore a bow tie, followed the rules, always did his homework and was easy prey for Dennis and Gnasher, the Menace's pet Abyssinian wire-haired tripe hound. |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712125745/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/softy-dennis-no-longer-a-menace-m7qwpnbh3 |url-status=live }}</ref> was accused of encouraging playground [[homophobia]], so it was toned down. Walter was also rewritten to be a bit less soft, becoming more antagonistic and stood up to Dennis sometimes, eventually having his first girlfriend.<ref name="oldies"/> Fatty from the Bash Street Kids was renamed Freddy (his real name) in 2021, causing backlash from former readers, including then government minister [[Jacob Rees-Mogg]] who accused the change of being "publicity-seeking".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bickerton |first1=James |title=Woke Britain: Beano changes name of 65-year-old character Fatty to avoid offending readers |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1439703/Beano-comic-Fatty-names-change-woke-Britain-politically-correct-discrimination-Freddy |work=[[The Daily Express]] |date=22 May 2021 |language=en |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184843/https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1439703/Beano-comic-Fatty-names-change-woke-Britain-politically-correct-discrimination-Freddy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Why oh why has political correctness hit the Beano?! Drat, urrgh, boo! – Aidan Smith|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/the-beano-my-favourite-comic-has-been-hit-by-political-correctness-drat-urrgh-boo-aidan-smith-3248341|first=Aidan|last=Smith|work=[[The Scotsman]]|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711124245/https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/the-beano-my-favourite-comic-has-been-hit-by-political-correctness-drat-urrgh-boo-aidan-smith-3248341|url-status=live}}</ref> Former chief-editor Mike Stirling explained it was due to fan letters from young readers asking why he was nicknamed so: "although it's always been used affectionately, and never pejoratively, we agreed it's time it changed."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Benjamin |date=June 2021 |access-date=12 January 2022 |title=The Beano to Stop Using the Nickname Fatty for Bash Street Kids Character Freddy |url=https://www.comicbooknews.co.uk/article/the-beano-to-stop-using-the-nickname-fatty.html |work=Comic Book News |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711093523/https://www.comicbooknews.co.uk/article/the-beano-to-stop-using-the-nickname-fatty.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A ''[[News of the World]]'' report contained accusations of ''Uh Oh, Si Co!'' encouraging readers to mock children with anger issues or mental illness, which caused the strip to be cancelled.<ref name="si co"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Comics|Children's literature}}
* ''[[The Beano Summer Special]]''
* ''[[The Beano Annual]]''
* [[List of magazines published in Scotland]]
*[[MAD magazine]]
* [[British comics]]
* [[List of Beano comic strips|List of ''Beano'' comic strips]]
* [[List of Beano comic strips by annual|List of ''Beano'' comic strips by annual]]
* [[The Beano timeline|''The Beano'' timeline]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|editor-first=John|editor-last=Anderson|date=2018|title=Beano: 80 Years of Fun|location=Fleet Street, [[London]]|publisher=[[DC Thomson]]|isbn=9781845357023|ref={{sfnRef|''80 Years''|2018}}}}
*{{cite book |last1=McAleer |first1=Joseph |title=Popular Reading and Publishing in Britain, 1914-1950 |date=1992 |publisher=Clarendon Press |location=Oxford [England] |isbn=0198203292 |url=https://archive.org/details/popularreadingpu0000mcal/ }}
*{{cite book|title=The History of The Beano: The Story So Far|year=2008|publisher=[[DC Thomson]]; Waverly Books|editor-first=Christopher|editor-last=Riches|location=[[Dundee]] (DC Thomson); [[New Lanark]] (Waverly Books)|ref={{sfnRef|''History of The Beano''|2008}}|isbn=978-1-902407-73-9}}
*{{Cite book|title=Minnie: 65 Years of Minxing!|publisher=D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.|year=2018|isbn=9781845357382|location=Fleet Street, London|editor-last=Anderson|editor-first=John|ref={{sfnRef|''Minnie 65''|2018}}}}

==External links==
* [http://www.beano.com Official website]
* [https://shop.beano.com/ Official Beano shop]
* {{gcdb series|id=11284|title=''The Beano Comic'' (1938–1950)}}
* {{gcdb series|id=11285|title=''The Beano'' (1950–)}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=title|id=631|title=''The Beano''}}

{{D. C. Thomson Comics}}
{{DCThomson}}
{{Beano}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beano, The}}
[[Category:The Beano| ]]
[[Category:1938 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British humour comics]]
[[Category:Children's magazines published in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Comics magazines published in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:DC Thomson Comics titles]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1938]]
[[Category:Scottish brands]]
[[Category:Weekly magazines published in the United Kingdom]]