British comedy legend Rowan Atkinson has been immortalised in a special bespoke Beano comic strip, available to read now on Beano.com.

Marking the return to TV screens with his first brand-new comedy character in over a decade, the launch of the unique comic strip is to celebrate the upcoming release of new nine-part Netflix series, Man vs Bee.

This ultimate British pop-culture comedy crossover, drawn by celebrated Beano illustrator Nigel Parkinson, stars Atkinson as the series’ eponymous hero ‘Trevor,’ a hapless house sitter who attempts to take care of a luxury mansion before chaos ensues after being invaded by a mischievous bee.

Inspired by his unique slapstick comedic credentials from the show, the bee-spoke strip transports Trevor to Beanotown. He runs into serious difficulties alongside a cast of favourite characters, including Dennis, Gnasher, Bea (Dennis’s baby sister), Minnie, Pieface, JJ and Rubi.

In the comic strip, Atkinson’s character attempts to house-sit for the Mayor of Beanotown, Walter’s father, as the family head off on holiday. Chaos ensues as Trevor tussles with a bee whilst leaving a trail of utter devastation in their wake to hilarious comic effect.

“Like many British school children I was an avid Beano reader.,” says Rowan Atkinson. “Beano remains a unique piece of our pop-culture, and something that has been shaped by and shaped British comedic sensibilities for over 80 years. I am genuinely thrilled that my alter ego, Trevor, has been immortalised in the Beano world.”

Mike Stirling, Director of Mischief at Beano Studios says: “Beano has always been a hive of comic chaos, so there was a real buzz about the place to have the comedy legend that is Rowan Atkinson visit Beanotown to make mischief with another troublemaker identified by their stripes; The Bee! I’m only worried Dennis and Minnie will sting us for new stripy jumpers in tribute! We think it was meant to bee, that when Netflix was looking for a unique new way of telling the world about the show, they thought of us. We hope everyone has as much fun reading the strip as we had making it.”

Vanessa Andreis, Franchise Planning and Partnerships Director, Beano Studios says: “Working with Netflix to create such an iconic partnership for kids and their families has been incredible. Taking two such well-known brands and mixing in their humour and fun has created a brilliantly mischievous campaign that we’re sure kids (and big kids) will love.”

The bee-spoke comic strip is available exclusively now on beano.com and gives a teaser of what’s to come ahead of Man vs Bee landing on Netflix.

Promising viewers a hugely enjoyable mix of wacky hi-jinks and physical comedy for which Rowan’s comedy characters have become synonymous, Man vs Bee is set to be this summer’s much-watch family comedy series, perfect for all ages and available on Netflix in full from 24 June.

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, Comics, Digital Media, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds, Television

Tags: Art by Nigel Parkinson, downthetubes News, Humour Comics, Man vs Bee, Rowan Atkinson, The Beano