Dennis the Menace (UK)

Dennis the Menace is a long-running comic strip featured in the Beano children's comic in the United Kingdom. It should not be confused with the newspaper strip Dennis the Menace in the United States. The strip first appeared in Beano #542 under the date March 17, 1951.

Dennis the Menace was first drawn by David Law, then David Sutherland[?] and finally, David Parkins[?]. The story lines feature Dennis' campaign of terror against a gang of Softies, particularly Walter. Bad things tend to happen to Walter quite regularly.

Dennis usually gets away with his mischief for a while and then ends up getting a spanking from his father. This involves striking the buttocks, for which Dennis' father uses a slipper. Dennis' best defense involves sticking a thick book down his trousers. Despite the fact that a book is a markedly different shape from buttocks, his dad never notices.

Dennis always wears a striped red-and-black jumper which along with his spikey hair has become his trade mark. He uses his faithful pea shooter, catapult and water pistol[?].

Characters

Over the years a variety of subsidiary characters have arisen.

Gnasher is a small black fluffy dog owned by Dennis. He loves biting posties. In later editions of The Beano, Gnasher had a son (Gnipper) and daughters, who appeared with him in the strip Gnasher and Gnipper. He used to have another strip, Gnasher's Tale.

Rasher is a pig (hence the name) and is Dennis' loyal pet. He loves to eat swill and was rescued by Dennis. He also used to have his own strip called Rasher.

Beaginnings is Dennis' little sister. She has her own strip, (Bea), and sometimes appears in Dennis the Menace.

Dennis' Fatherhis hair loss is down to Dennis' menacing. He also appears in Bea and Gnasher and Gnipper.

There are several other Softies besides Walter, including Algernon 'Spotty' Perkins and Bertie Blenkinsop

Dennis also has several friends, including Pie-Face and Curly.

Links:

• His profile in the Toonopedia (http://www.toonopedia.com/dennisb.htm)