The History of the Beano: The Story So Far Hardcover – Illustrated, 25 Sep 2008

A big, sumptuous, heavy coffee table book, which treats the Beano archive with care and respect and documents the awsome talent which has gone into its creation over the past 70 years. The reproduction of numerous, full page, vintage and modern strips is crisp and clear - often taken from original artwork - and printed at a size which is suitable for ageing, nostalgic eyes. For too long Comics have been treated as trivial things; kids swopped them, teachers confiscated them and mothers gave them away to jumble sales. The material on display in this book, however, shows that the Beano, and its ilk, deserves to be re-assesed as a national treasure. It not only reflects the culture of the last 70 years, but can now be seen as having strongly influenced it. More from the vaults of D C Thomson please.

I recieved this tome as a Christmas present, and it's an an absolute joy: compiled by D C THOMSON Editors [amongst others] this tells the entire saga of Britain's best-loved comic, from it's pre-war inception up 'til the present day.

Pulling no punches in it's presentation of archive material [much--though not all---early strips were 'adventure' fare] and including a fascinatingly bizarre wartime tale featuring a giant robotic HITLER that has to be seen to be believed---------and including a wealth of early 50s strips from the artists who perhaps defined the comic the best for generations: LEO BAXENDALE [BASH STREET] KEN REID ['JONAH']and of course DAVEY LAW [early 'DENNIS'] represented by much fine artwork, in an era where comic artists were afforded the luxury of extra space in which to indulge their comic visions.

A chapter on the 60s decade reveals further sterling work during the 'BEANO'S heyday, with intruiging examples like the final DUDLEY WATKINS' [whose work is chronicled throughout from the very first 1938 issue]'BIFFO' strip, which was actually completed by another artist ['BASH STREET'S DAVEY SUTHERLAND] and is finally identified here.

By 1970, the 'BEANO' had lost both WATKINS and LAW [whose final 'DENNIS' also appears here,] and these two contributers [along with BAXENDALE, who departed in 1962] left the comic without many key art personnel. However, further qualty work continued to appear throughout the 70s [including ROBERT NIXON'S excellent early decade work, which was filled with appeal and zest] and the demise of the 'adventure'-type strip of the 'BILLY the CAT' school is chronicled.

The 80s and beyond reveals a more 'hit-and-miss' approach from the comic, which saw improvements more in the field of improved paper stock and increased use of colour. Though modern strips/creations undoubtedly have considerably less 'staying power', much funny and effective imagery continues to be turned out by the DUNDEE 'dream factory', and it's interesting to compare the more compressed work put out today in counterpoint to the 'BEANO'S 'GOLDEN AGE' of the 50s and 60s.

Finally, this deluxe work is topped by an in-depth, meticulously- researched chronology of key events and developments of character appearences and departures since 1937, which proves to be an indispensible guide to anyone wishing to identify the contents of specific issues from their long-gone childhood.

A fantastic, vitally informative work that impresses and satisfies the most ardent comics buff/casual fan alike......

...............................................TERIFFIC!

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Beano in 2008, fans past and present were treated to this fabulous, coffee table sized book. I admit that I stopped buying the comic I once loved back in 2006 (after six years of religiously picking up a copy each Wednesday), but I couldn't resist reliving a large part of my childhood with this official history guide.

'The History of the Beano' takes it's readers right back to start on July 28th 1930, when the very first issue of 'The Beano' was published, containing every page from that historical issue, which was a healthy mix of charming comic strips, and some genuinely thrilling text stories.

Written in eight different 'parts' (each of which naturally cover the eight decades), this lavishly illustrated guide includes a wealth of original classic comic strips, never before seen artwork, biographies of all the people working behind the scenes, as well as all the major characters, which naturally include household names such as Roger the Dodger, Minnie the Minx, Biffo the Bear, The Bash Street Kids, and of course, Dennis the Menace, who even provides the book's introduction. From the comic related merchandise which first really arose back in the early 1990s, to the original fan clubs, everything 'Beano' related is in here.

Particularly interesting was to read all the behind-the-scenes information, and to discover why certain changes had to be made. I laughed at the recalling of several cheeky publicity stunts which were used from the 1980s onwards, beginning with the so-called 'disappearance' of Dennis' beloved pet dog Gnasher. The text is well-written, but never overly wordy, and the story ends in 2008 when, unlike the ultimately doomed 'Dandy', 'The Beano' was still remaining true to it's heyday routes in the 1950s, and selling respectably.

Towards the end of the book, there is a comprehensive index, and with each year there's a summery of the key events, as well as a listing of the characters that first appeared in that year, along with information about how long the strip lasted, the artist involved, and, in most cases, a brief synopsis of each. At the very end, there is a list of all the comic's artists throughout The Beano's then mammoth 70 year run. and the comics that they drew underneath their name.

Far from a book which will only delight children, 'The History of the Beano' is, in my opinion, more for the adult audience, certainly those who would consider themselves a collector or major enthusiast. I for one really enjoyed this trip down memory lane, and although I was only a nipper when I bought my first issue in 2000, I was soon enchanted so much with the funniness of the paper, that I bought every old annual I could lay my hands on, some of which dated back to the early '60s, so I was always familiar with the older characters from the decades gone by.

If you are looking for some fun nostalgia, then I highly recommend you buy a copy of 'The History of the Beano: The Story So Far', it's a thing of real beauty, and a fascinating history lesson.

See also: The Art and History of the Dandy: 75 Years of Biffs, Bangs and Banana Skins

The History Of The Beano is one of the best books I have ever had. There is so much information in it. It is full of the stories from The Beano. It tells you about all the artists and their work. There is a section telling you when all the characters started and finished. It is a must for any Beano fan. I don't know how I got by without it.

A very popular 'Santa' gift. Was read from cover to cover before lunch. Obviously much enjoyed. Arrived in the usual Amazon style - well on time, well packaged.

I made my communion when I was seven . My parents gave me this instead of money . Thanx guys . I love this book . I still read this now.