A trip down memory lane today for us, as we delve into the archives for who we consider are the greatest 10 characters from beloved British comic The Beano!
The Beano has been the powerhouse of childhood imagination since 1938, creating a pantheon of rebels, weirdos, and legends. Here are 10 of the best icons to grace the pages of Beanotown…
Dennis the Menace
The undisputed king of the comic, Dennis first appeared in March 1951, created by George Moonie and illustrated by David Law. He is the ultimate symbol of boyhood rebellion, defined by his iconic red-and-black striped jumper and chaotic “spiky” hair.
He’s the greatest because he represents the universal urge to cause a bit of mischief without any real malice, accompanied by his faithful “Abyssinian wire-haired tripe hound,” Gnasher.
Minnie the Minx
Minnie crashed onto the scene in 1953, brought to life by the legendary Leo Baxendale. As the female counterpart to Dennis, she proved that girls could be just as rowdy, stubborn, and hilarious as the boys. She is essential because she broke the “sugar and spice” mold of the era, preferring a catapult and a pair of sturdy boots to anything remotely “proper.”
Roger the Dodger
First appearing in 1953 (drawn by Ken Reid), Roger is the master of the “dodge” – elaborate schemes to avoid chores or homework. He is a fan favorite because he uses his brain rather than brawn; his “Dodge Books” are a testament to the fact that it often takes more work to get out of a task than it does to actually complete it.
The Bash Street Kids
Originally titled “When the Bell Rings” in 1954, this group was another Leo Baxendale masterpiece. Featuring characters like Danny, Fatty, and Erbert, they represent the chaotic energy of a classroom where the teacher has lost all control.
They are legendary because they perfectly capture the camaraderie and collective madness of school life.
Billy Whizz
Introduced in 1964 by Ian Gray and Malcolm Judge, Billy is the fastest boy in the world. His stories are a visual treat of “motion lines” and unintended consequences. He earns his spot because his power is every child’s dream – being able to finish a paper route or a race in seconds – even if he usually ends up crashing into a wall.
Lord Snooty
One of the “founding fathers” of the comic, Snooty debuted in Issue 1 (1938), created by Dudley D. Watkins. Despite being a billionaire peer, he preferred hanging out with his “pals” from the local neighborhood. He’s significant because he bridged the class gap of 1930s Britain, proving that friendship matters more than a top hat.
The Numskulls
While they originated in The Beezer in 1962 (created by Malcolm Judge), they became Beano staples in the 90s. Living inside a man’s head and controlling his senses via a high-tech dashboard, they are a brilliant conceptual hook. They are great because they offer a literal “inside look” at human behavior, explaining every sneeze or bad idea as a mechanical error.
Bananaman
Originally from Nutty (1980) and drawn by John Geering, Bananaman moved to the Beano later. He is the ultimate parody of American superheroes; when Eric Wimp eats a banana, he gains “the muscles of twenty big men and the brains of twenty mussels.”
A comedy powerhouse because of the sheer absurdity of his “potassium-powered” justice – Bananman enjoyed huge success transitioning to TV and rumours continue about the possibility of a film…
Ball Boy
Launched in 1975 by Malcolm Judge, Ball Boy is a football-obsessed kid whose life revolves entirely around the “beautiful game.” He’s a classic because he represents the hyper-fixated hobbyist in all of us – the kid who can’t walk down the street without kicking a tin can like it’s the World Cup winning goal.
Les Pretend
A 1990s favorite created by Leo Baxendale, Les is a boy who spends his entire life in a world of make-believe. Whether he’s pretending to be a vacuum cleaner or a fighter jet, his imagination is his superpower. He is a “great” because he celebrates the pure, unadulterated play that defines childhood.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Korky the Cat
Korky was actually the original cover star of The Dandy (the Beano’s sibling) in 1937, created by James Crighton. However, he has made numerous crossover appearances in the Beano over the decades. He is the archetype of the “cool cat” who always manages to outsmart his adversaries while looking for a fish supper.
Calamity James
Created by Tom Paterson in 1986, James is the world’s most unlucky boy. Accompanied by his pet “lemming,” his strips are famous for their incredibly detailed, gross-out “dreadful” background gags. He is a standout because he brought a darker, more surrealist edge to the comic’s humor.
Ivy the Terrible
Introduced in 1985 by Robert Nixon, Ivy is a toddler with a temper that rivals Dennis. She’s the greatest because she captures that “terrible twos” energy and cranks it up to eleven. She proved that you don’t need to be a school-aged kid to be a menace; sometimes, all you need is a crayon and a very loud scream.
Little Plum
Debuting in 1953 and drawn by Leo Baxendale, Little Plum was a young member of the Smudge-Face tribe. While the cultural depictions are very much of their time, Plum was a classic “underdog” character who used his wits to deal with buffalo, bears, and his rival, Billy-Goat. He remains a key part of the Beano’s Golden Age layout.