Home › Comics › British Comics › British Comics Early Days: “Dan Leno’s Comic Journal” recalled

British Comics Early Days: “Dan Leno’s Comic Journal” recalled

By John Freeman on December 21, 2023

Music Hall performer Dan Leno, born 20th December 1860, died 31st October 1904

The Comics Journal recently published a fascinating article by Daniel Parker about one of Britain’s earliest comics, the weekly comic, Dan Leno’s Comic Journal, the official comic of the British music hall star, creator of the pantomime dame, published between 1898 and 1899, featuring art by Tom Browne. The comic is believed the first comic to be written, edited and star a real person.

Born this day on 20th December 1860, the article notes Dan Leno (not to be confused with the American sporting cartoonist of the same name) was an inventive British music hall comedian from the late 1880s, who had a knack for recognising an opportunity. He performed every day for 36 years, after which he suffered a mental breakdown.

Dan Leno and family, from a contemporary Ogden's cigarette card — *Dan Leno and family, from a contemporary Ogden’s cigarette card*

Leno was the inspiration for many comedy characters who followed, among them Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy, who all developed their careers from his original ideas.

“He had his finger on the pulse to what was, or could be, a popular form of entertainment to target long before his competitors caught on, Parker notes. “This, of course, included a younger version of the comic book industry.

“Leno had no interest in plainly lending his name to the comic or simply giving a thumbs up once an issue was ready for the printing machine, either. He allocated himself the role of head writer. The cover of each issue of Dan Leno’s Comic Journal featured a humorously chaotic illustration of Leno and his editing team attempting to work despite a plethora of silly distractions. Leno would write reoccurring characters for the paper which would be illustrated by reputable artists who had already proven their worth in the industry, such as Tom Browne, Frank Holland and Charles Genge.”

Dan Leno's Comic Journal Volume One, Number One

Published by C. Arthur Pearson, the comic was a huge success, the first issue reportedly selling 350,000 copies a week according to Leno’s biographer, Gyles Brandreth – a staggering figure today.

Offering a fascinating flashback to the early days of British comics and comedians as mass media entertainment, you can read Daniel’s article here.

Dan Leno's Blue Plaque, which was re-erected in 1979, after his house was refurbished after standing empty for many years. Image: English Heritage — *Dan Leno’s Blue Plaque, which was re-erected in 1979, after his house was refurbished after standing empty for many years. Image: English Heritage*

Dan Leno lived at 56 Akerman Road, where there’s a Blue Plaque outside to commemorate him, and also founded The Clapham Grand in Battersea in 1900, still open today.

Sadly, he only lived a short life, dying at the age of 43 in 1904, the cause of his death variously attributed to a brain tumour, syphilis, or heart disease. No medical records survive. He was given the biggest funeral for an actor since David Garrick and is buried in Lambeth Cemetery, London.

If you’re interested in the early history of British comics, then you should keep an eye on the eBay page of archivist Alan Clark, whose many Half-Holiday Publications have documented the early history of British comics in detail. These non-profit books sell out very quickly, but there are three still available now, and of these, I’d particularly recommend The Wonderful World of Radio Fun.

Launched in 1976, The Comics Journal is a magazine about comics edited by Tucker Stone & Joe McCulloch. The print edition of The Comics Journal is published annually but the web site regularly publishes a fantastic range of articles about comics. Both projects are published by Fantagraphics Books.

• The Comics Journal: Dan Leno – The First Living Person To Have a Comic Title in their name

• Wikipedia: Dan Leno – born 20th December 1860, died 31st October 1904

• Funniest Man on Earth: Story of Dan Leno by Gyles Brandreth

• Works by Dan Leno on the Internet Archive

• Clapham Grand

• The Forgotten Man — Dan Leno
John Adcock’s feature on the American sporting cartoonist whose career in comics apparently spanned just three years, 1910 – 1913

With thanks to Paul Gravett

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.