The Beano gets a Top Gear makeover courtesy of guest star and editor TV presenter Richard Hammond this week. Image © DC Thomson

TV presenter Richard Hammond both stars in and was guest editor of this week’s The Beano, on sale today. The special issue, on sale Wednesday 6th November, has a Grand Prix theme and follows the Top Gear star as he attempts to uncover the identity of The Stig with the help of The Beano gang.

Artist Nigel Parkinson and the rest of The Beano team involved have really pulled out the stops to make this a great issue. I know there are some Beano fans who don’t care for the ‘celebrity makeover’ issues, but famous faces have featured in comic – and indeed, many comics – for many years now. This issue continues a long tradition as comics continue to battle for attention in a crowded media space for children’s attention – and pocket money!

Richard Hammond tries to unmask the Stig.

Readers will also see Richard getting involved in different elements of the Grand Prix. He helps Dennis create a ‘kartie’ to beat the dastardly Walter’s ‘Clarkson-May Speed Demon 50,000’, enlists the help of the Bash Street Kids in hunting down The Stig and commentates on The Great Beanotown Grand Prix.

The Bash Street Kids help Richard Hammond track down the Stig in The Beano.

The Beano Editor-in-Chief Mike Stirling said, “Working with Richard on this issue was brilliant. I know that he’s a long-time fan and his knowledge and passion for The Beano is reflected in this week’s issue.

The ladies love Richard Hammond – even cartoon ladies, it appears… Image © DC Thomson

“In The Great Beanotown Grand Prix issue we wanted to poke fun at the fact that dads love Clarkson and May and mums love Richard and he was totally on board – Dennis’ strip sees his mum fall for Richard’s charms! Plus, we have readers hanging on to the end of the comic to see if Richard really can uncover The Stig’s identity.”

The special issue also features lots of jokes and pranks from the gang including Minnie’s ‘Minx traps’ which create more than a few problems for the Grand Prix racers.

Richard Hammond said, “I was a fan of The Beano as a kid: of course I was. I still am. And when they asked me to be guest editor I couldn’t think of a finer opportunity or one that would have meant more to me as a kid. The results are, well, predictably chaotic. What do you expect. The team were simply amazing and I thank them for letting me join.”

In addition to his love of The Beano, Richard also appears to be a fan of The Clangers. Could he be vying for a guest appearance on the new show when that launches, too?

• The special Richard Hammond guest edit issue of The Beano is on sale in all good newsagents (and via iPads) from today, Wednesday 6th November.

• Official Beano web site: www.beano.com

• Richard Hammond’s official web site: www.thehamsterscage.co.uk and Twitter

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.

Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, downthetubes Comics News

Tags: Bash Street Kids, DC Thomson, Dennis the Menace, Humour Comics, Mike Stirling, Nigel Parkinson, Richard Hammond, The Beano, Top Gear