BEANO celebrates Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary

By John Freeman on November 19, 2023

Beano 4213, cover by Nigel Parkinson, Doctor Who tribute

Hot on the heels of celebrating Minnie the Minx hitting her 70th anniversary last week, the BEANO is having fun at Doctor Who’s expense, as the show celebrates its 60th birthday.

This week’s issue – No. 4213, the cover by Nigel Parkinson – sees The Bash Street Kids assume the roles of various Doctors.

To the delight of the BEANO team, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has given the comic’s homage a thumbs up and declared it “absolutely canon, 100 per cent canon,” adding on Instagram: “What great company to be in.”

“Well, that’s my day, week, month and life made,” said BEANO contributor Andy Fanton in response to RTD’s praise for Nigel’s cover.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies reacts to BEANO’s Doctor Who celebration

Provided there’s no disruption to the space-time continuum, subscribers should have received their copies BEANO with the Doctor Who-based Bash Street Kids already, and writer Andy Fanton has teased a scene from the strip, featuring nods to the Sixth and Seventh Doctors.

Beano 4213, cover by Nigel Parkinson - The Bash Stret Kids by Andy Fanton

• BEANO No. 4213 is on sale from all the usual outlets on Wednesday. Head to BEANO.com for subscription information

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.