Beano, a Comic that makes you Chuckle (Beano, the)

Member Name: Emmamac1

Product:	Beano, the
Date:	20/08/09 (106 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun and light hearted

Disadvantages: None

The Beano is an extremely well known comic for young boys and girls. I have just subscribed to it for my sons, and I used to read it avidly every week, many moons ago.

Firstly a little history. The Beano is now in its 71st year as it issued its first copy in July 1938. The current issue in the shops is number 3497, which is some publishing achievement. Just from these figures it is clear that The Beano is a popular, long lasting comic. It is published by D. C. Thomson & Co Ltd, who also publish The Dandy.

So what is the Beano. It is a comic, set out in traditional cartoon strips. Inside todays Beano there are 18 different stories, involving some characters from the very start and other newer ones. Most of the characters live in a place called Beanotown, so at times their stories interlock. There are jokes or facts at the bottom of most of the pages. The only real advertising in the comic is for Beano subscriptions, Beano club and prizes to win.

As I mentioned some of the comic characters are very old and some quite new. Here are just a few.

*Dennis the Menace*

I think his name says it all. This young chap is always getting into trouble and forever annoying the swat of Beanotown, Walter. He is well known for his attire, a red and black stripy top. Dennis has a pet dog Gnasher (they both have similar black hair) who is just as naughty. Poor Walter is always at the wrong end of Dennis and Gnasher's nasty tricks. In 1998 the Beano introduced Dennis' naughty sister Bea.

*Minnie the Minx*

I love Minnie the Minx. She is a red headed, hot headed little trouble maker. I seriously think she has a severe case of ADD (attention deficient disorder). She is always bouncing around, looking for someone to upset. She wears a red a black jumper, like Dennis, and a black beret with a red pompom.

*Bash Street Kids*

These must be the ugliest group of children on earth! Plug has not changed in all these years, a real character, and never got any brighter. They work as a team, and deceive their teacher, getting him into trouble! You actually start to feel sorry for their teacher. Some may argue that 'Fatty', a member of the gang, is unfairly labelled. He also has a comic strip to himself in The Beano, which is always centered around food.

*Billy Whizz*

This chap is an extra fast runner. Extraordinarily fast. In fact he is the 'fastest boy in the world'. He tries to solve problems, but ends up making problems using his speed.

*Roger the Dodger*

As his named says, Roger the Dodger is always trying to get out of chores and ends up in trouble. Roger always seems to have 'his' solution to a problem, but it never works. He also wears a red and black top, this time checkered.

There are many other characters in the Beano, which are lots of fun, and they all get into much trouble.

The Beano is a weekly comic and costs the hefty price of £1.25. When I used to get it, it was only 7 pence (that really shows my age!). There are many other things associated with the Beano. These include the Beano Max which is a monthly comic and is aimed at slightly older children. There is also the Beano Annual, Dennis the Menace Reading Books, and soon to start, Dennis and Gnasher will have their own CBBC cartoon. Check it all out on www.beanotown.com.

I subscribe to the Beano through www.uniquemagazines.co.uk. It was an extremely good offer. The subscription price was the same for anywhere in the world £38.25 for 6 months (26 issues). At least in every other issue there is a gift, poster or some tattoos.

I was a member of the Beano Club all those years ago. If you become a member now you receive some gifts, monthly emails, 3 mini mags, a card on your birthday and a chance to star in the Beano. It costs £12.99 in the UK and £14.99 for overseas.

I still have my Beano's in a box in my parents attic. My Beano's are old (very) and fading, but I could not part with them. Lots of happy childhood memories. I think that the Beano is great fun for all, and it certainly lightens your mood. Anything that makes my son's chuckle make me happy.

Summary: It will bring a smile to your face