The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dundee Beano bash celebrates 80 years of global comic favourite
Superfan makes pilgrimage to characters’ home as the McManus hosts special exhibition
A special birthday bash was held for The Beano in Dundee last night, celebrating 80 years of a worldwide favourite.
The DC Thomson Meadowside building played host to a special celebration, with a staff party being held in the morning and another in the evening at the home of everyone’s favourite comic.
Beano superfan Ian Atkinson, 49, travelled from the Berkshire village of Upper Buckleburry (the home of St Andrews alumni and future queen Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) to Dundee on Friday, specifically to celebrate the anniversary in the comics’ home.
Mr Atkinson has every edition of the annual and is 28 editions short of having a complete set of comics.
Along with his wife, Edwina, Ian enjoyed a tour of the McManus Galleries – temporarily renamed the McMenace in anticipation of The Beano bash – where he viewed original artworks and met fellow enthusiasts.
“I had told my wife several months ago I had planned a romantic break to Scotland,” he said.
“When I told her what dates we were going, well, she figured it out straight away why we were really coming up.
“I have loved The Beano for near enough my entire life. Edwina calls it an obsession and I guess she is right.
“I have too many pieces of Beano memorabilia to mention, including guitars, all of the annuals, every summer special and I am 28 editions short from having all 3,945 copies.
“My dog is called Gnasher, just like Dennis’s and he is just as badly behaved.
“It was extremely important to be in Dundee for The Beano’s 80th birthday.
“This is the first time I’ve visited and it is really a lovely city. We will definitely be back in 10 years time for the 90th celebration.”
The Beano first hit newsstands in 1938 and at its peak sold more than 2 million copies a week in the 1950s.
The latest edition was guest edited by comedian David Walliams.
In 2013 The Beano was awarded a Guinness World Record for being the longest running print comic.
A “special” exhibition is currently in place at the McMenace featuring the Beano artwork of Horace Panter, bass player in ska band The Specials.