 |
| The first ever Dennis book, 1955. Art by Davey Law |
Readers who picked up THE BEANO #452, issue dated March 17th, 1951, could never have guessed exactly what impact the new character they encountered on page 5 of the 12 page comic (priced 2d) would eventually have, not only on the comic itself, but also the country at large.
However, his initial appearance (without the famous hooped jersey, which didn't show up until a few strips down the line) is rather standard fare, and displays only a faint hint of the madcap anarchy which established his reader popularity in subsequent escapades.
Today, DENNIS THE MENACE is a British icon, and there can't be a kid (or adult, come to that) in the land who doesn't know who the spiky-haired scamp is. Created by GEORGE MOONIE (who lifted the name from a popular song), IAN CHISHOLM, and artist DAVEY LAW, the lovable menace has been the comic's cover star since 1974.
However, his initial appearance (without the famous hooped jersey, which didn't show up until a few strips down the line) is rather standard fare, and displays only a faint hint of the madcap anarchy which established his reader popularity in subsequent escapades.
 |
| Dennis's very first appearance. Art by Davey Law |
So successful did the strip become that, if not for Dennis, LEO BAXENDALE might never have been inspired to contact the Dundee "fun factory" looking for work. After a few false starts, things were not looking good for him until, copying Dennis's face, he created LITTLE PLUM (or BOOSTER, as he was originally provisionally called), the strip which secured his place in the world of DC THOMSON's children's comics. (It wasn't too long before Plum developed his own distinct facial features.)
It's no exaggeration to say that, without Dennis, Thomson's may well have had no Leo to produce not only Little Plum, but also THE BASH STREET KIDS and THE THREE BEARS, who - along with DUDLEY D. WATKIN's LORD SNOOTY and KEN REID's ROGER THE DODGER - were destined to become some of the comic's other most iconic characters.
It's no exaggeration to say that, without Dennis, Thomson's may well have had no Leo to produce not only Little Plum, but also THE BASH STREET KIDS and THE THREE BEARS, who - along with DUDLEY D. WATKIN's LORD SNOOTY and KEN REID's ROGER THE DODGER - were destined to become some of the comic's other most iconic characters.
 |
| The issue in which Dennis first appeared. Artwork by Dudley D. Watkins |
Interestingly, in what can only be described as an amazing coincidence, another
DENNIS THE MENACE - by HANK KETCHAM - debuted in his own newspaper strip in America on March 12th 1951.
It should be remembered, however, that British comics are traditionally released up to seven days before the cover date to give them a full week's shelf life until the next issue, so that means OUR Dennis hit the shops well in advance of the 17th. (Some sources say the 12th, the same day as the US version.)
However, as current Dennis artist NIGEL PARKINSON points out, UK comics are usually printed up to a week before going on sale, so regardless of which character had the longer lead-in to publication (which is anybody's guess), the British Dennis definitely saw print first - by several days. (Consider also that UK weekly comics are prepared about two months before publication.)
However, as current Dennis artist NIGEL PARKINSON points out, UK comics are usually printed up to a week before going on sale, so regardless of which character had the longer lead-in to publication (which is anybody's guess), the British Dennis definitely saw print first - by several days. (Consider also that UK weekly comics are prepared about two months before publication.)
Although known in this country, the US version does not enjoy the same level (or anywhere near it) of popularity as our own home-grown rascal, but is big in the States, and no doubt our Dennis is just a minor footnote over there. The two are completely different types of strips however, and aren't really comparable.
 |
| Classic Dennis from the 1978 Dennis book. Art by Davey Law |
 |
| Back cover of first ever Dennis book. Art by Davey Law |
is everywhere:
books, stationery,
stamps, toys,
figurines, DVDs,
television and, of course, comics. Given the disappointing circulation figures that afflict traditional kids' comics nowadays, let's hope that Dennis will still be around in another 60 years. All together now - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENNIS! (The one who ISN'T the gay gondolier from Venice, that is - because it's not HIS birthday.)
television and, of course, comics. Given the disappointing circulation figures that afflict traditional kids' comics nowadays, let's hope that Dennis will still be around in another 60 years. All together now - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENNIS! (The one who ISN'T the gay gondolier from Venice, that is - because it's not HIS birthday.)
(All images copyright DC Thomson & Co., Ltd.)
(FOOTNOTE: When the US strips were reprinted in Britain many years ago, the title was renamed after the character's live-action '60s TV show, JUST DENNIS (THE PICKLE), to avoid confusion with the Thomson's character. In 1976 or '77, DENIS GIFFORD, the late British comics historian and collector, made mention of this fact in the pages of an issue of his ALLY SLOPER magazine, and received an irate letter from a young American reader who had mistakenly assumed that Denis was saying the strip's name-change had occurred in the USA - so it seems our Stateside cousins are just as enthusiastic about their version of Dennis as we are of ours.)
No comments:
Post a Comment