The Unofficial History of the Beano

The Beano is Britain's longest-running and best-loved comic. Since 1938 it has brought thrills and laughter to generation after generation of children, seeing the young and young-at-heart through World War 2, the social changes of the 1950s and 60s and on into a new millennium. How has the comic evolved since its early days? How many of the classic characters and their stories do you remember? What are the important changes that have happened through the years, why have they happened and why has The Beano survived when all the other comics have folded? Every child in the UK since the 1950s has known Dennis the Menace, the Bash Street Kids, Minnie the Minx and Roger the Dodger, but how many know the writers and artists who created these iconic comic characters? How do they write the scripts week after week? Where did the inspiration come from? How did the artists come to work for this Great British institution? This is the story of the Beano Comic, told in the words of the people who made it, going back to the dark, harsh days of the 1930s and continuing through to the present day. A unique insight into the country's most beloved comic.

About the Author

Iain McLaughlin lives in Dundee in a house filled with books. He has written more than fifty books and over fifty plays for radio. He has also written short stories and TV scripts. Iain has written for many famous properties including James Bond, Doctor Who, Blake's 7 and Sherlock Holmes. He has also written several original thrillers. For a time he was the editor of the Beano comic and has written the Scottish icons, The Broons and Oor Wullie.