Typical! Just as you go on holiday, some big news breaks about British comics and now we’re playing catch up… but it’s surely good news that one of DC Thomson’s best-known characters, Bananaman, looks set to star in his own movie.
Created by Steve Bright and writer and editor Dave Donaldson (best known for his work on The Broons) and initially drawn by the late John Geering for Nutty, the official Beano web site describes the quintessentially British Bananaman as the superhero with “the muscles of twenty men, and the brains of twenty mussels”. He’s brave, he’s bold… but he’s not very bright!
Bananaman’s secret identity, when he’s not out flying into action and foiling crafty criminals, is Little Eric Wimp. But, after a ‘nana… FOOM, Bananaman’s ready for action!
Bananaman’s first appearance, in Nutty Issue 1 in February 1980. Art © DC Thomson.
As a baby ‘nana, Eric, whose powers include flying, super-strength, super-duper-speed, the ability to fly through space (and the ability to look only slightly stupid in a tight blue leotard)was rocketed to Earth from the moon. His lunar origins cause his amazing banana powers.
(What? Haven’t you noticed that a crescent moon looks a bit like a banana?)
Bananaman’s not the only banana-powered hero to appear in The Beano. His little cousin, Bananagirl, is a pupil at Super School. His many foes include General Blight, Doctor Gloom, Appleman, the Nerks, Eddie the Gent and Auntie.
While there’s not much to see on the official web site – BananamanMovie.com – other than a hashtag, #peelthepower and an indication the movie will be released in 2015, we do know that the project involves Elstree Studio Productions. And of course, that this isn’t the first time the Big Yellow has jumped media: in 1983 the BBC screened an animated series featuring the voices of The Goodies, produced by 101 Film Productions (later Flicks Films).
Bananaman first appeared in Nutty in 1980 before moving to The Dandy and, now, The Beano. In addition to Steve Bright (who says he is waiting for the call to do a ‘Stan Lee’ cameo appearance) and John Geering, other creators involved in the strip down the years include Barrie Appleby, Tom Paterson and Chris McGhie.
New Bananaman strips drawn by Wayne Thompson and written by Nigel Auchterlounie and Kev F Sutherland continue to run in The Beano through 2014, including, recently, a glorious spoof of Miracleman.
• Bananaman: The Movie – Official Site
• Bananaman: The Movie Facebook Page
• More about Bananaman on the Beano web site
• Download Bananaman Wallpapers for your computer from Beano.com
• Not to be confused with these Bananamen
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, Featured News, Film
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