We’re sorry to report the passing of Scott Donaldson, son of former Nutty comics editor David Donaldson, who was, it’s now been revealed, the inspiration for Bananaman. He was 49.
David Donaldson, who was editor of Nutty and, before that, Chief Sub-Editor at The Beano, reported to Scottish local newspaper The Courier that his son Scott died in September, revealing he was the original inspiration for Bananaman, at the age of six.
David described his well-travelled son “was infuriatingly funny, he just never stopped telling jokes” and that he “still can’t believe he’s gone”.
Recalling how Bananaman had been created, David explained to The Courier: “I was living in Carnoustie at that time, and Scott was just at school age and would watch TV like any other kid. “And he was always interested in The Incredible Hulk.
“At that point I was in the process of putting together a new comic which I wanted to be called ‘Bananas’, but I wasn’t too sure how to play it. But wee Scott loved the transformation scene in the show, when he goes from Bruce Banner into the Incredible Hulk.
“After that, I thought why not have someone who eats bananas, and turns into Bananaman?”
“Bananaman” graced the back page of the very first issue of Nutty, written by Steve Bright, drawn by John Geering, poking fun at “serious” American superheroes to this day in the pages of BEANO.
He also had his own animated series in the 1980s, features on a mural on the DC Thomson printing plant at Kingsway, in Dundee, and the character starred in a musical, first performed in 2017, at Southwark Playhouse.
Back in 2021, there were reports Bananaman was to slip back onto our TV screens in a new animated series, thanks to a partnership between Fox Entertainment and Beano Studios, but these seem to have been abandoned.
“Scott was obsessed with ‘Bananaman’ once it all started and he was always very proud of the fact he was associated with the character,” David noted. “Lots of people jumped on the bandwagon but it was a highly personal thing. Had it not been for wee Scott there would be no Bananaman.
“Over the years the origins of Bananaman have been contentious, but I’ve always just kept quiet about it. But I thought it would be nice to mark his passing by sharing my story, I think it needs telling and now is the right time.”
Many of his friends paid tribute to him when news broke of his death, Claire Bartlett writing “I went to teaching college with Scott and my most cherished, and funny, memories are ones with Scott. What times we all had.”
“The Scott we knew was sweet, kind, polite, well-mannered, fun, write Marueen Adam, “just a lovely, lovely guy.”
Our sympathies David and his family, and friends, at this time.
Scott Gerrard Donaldson, aged 49 years, dearly loved son of Helen and Dave. Much loved brother of Paul, Hannah and Amy
• The Courier report on the until origins of Bananaman is here (subscription required)
• Happy Birthday, Bananaman! Co-Creator Steve Bright Celebrates 40 Years of the hapless superhero
Writer and artist Steve Bright recalled the origins of Bananaman for downthetubes in 2020 for the character’s 40th “birthday”, a splendiferous and silly superhero created for Nutty with David Donaldson and artist John Geering who survived that humour comic’s demise and continues to delight his many fans in the Beano…
• Happy Birthday, Bananaman – 40 Years Young!
Beano celebrated the 40th birthday of one of the superhero world’s fruitiest creation, Bananaman, in 2020, with the launch of a special edition of the weekly comic, featuring an extended story for the character.
• Bananaman, Beano and annual fun galore heading our way
Read more about the “Peel the Power” collection in this August 2024 news item
With thanks to Adam Bagley
- About the Author
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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, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Obituaries
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Very sad news, my sympathies to the family.
The cartoon was absolutely iconic to those of us of a certain age, encapsulating the anarchic British approach to all things superhero, and perfectly cast with the voice talents of the Goodies.