DC Thomson is celebrating a busy year for The Beano‘s Dennis the Menace and Gnasher property as Penguin joins a raft of licensees with a planned range of children’s books and Golden Bear announces new toys.
The new range of books from Penguin will kick off with The Diary of Dennis the Menace, written by the renowned author Steven Butler, which will be released by Penguin’s Puffin Books imprint in February 2014.
The Diary of Dennis the Menace gives readers the inside story on every cheeky trick and prank played by the star of The Beano. Written by Roald Dahl Funny Prize-shortlisted author of The Wrong Pong series, Steven Butler, this book will delight Beano fans. Meet Dennis, Gnasher and friends (and enemies!) and explore Beanotown with Dennis as your guide.
The deal with Penguin Group UK is the latest in a number of partnerships that has seen DC Thomson develop licensing in the toy, publishing, apparel, gifts and stationery sectors with its Dennis the Menace and Gnasher, Bananaman and Desperate Dan brands.
Dennis the Menace Bashing Buddy from Golden Bear Toys
Another new Dennis the Menace project comes from Golden Bear Toys, who have developed a range of Dennis the Menace and Gnasher toys, including a Dennis and Gnasher Bashing Buddy and a Prankster Set.
The firm has also undertaken a raft of new developments, drawing from ideas from children and fans of the property – including the new Farting Football!
GB Eye’s ‘Beano’ Maxi Poster
Other licenses featuring Beano characters include a partnership with Smiffy’s for a Dennis the Menace costume (including one for adults!), popping candy and other confectionery from Irish sweet company Rose, Abbey Home Media (who also release Shaun the Sheep and Superted) for DVDs, posters from GB Eye, (including the poster above featuring some characters of yesteryear such as ‘The Three Bears’) bedding from Ashley Wilde and The Lagoon Group for family games such as the Beano Kids Compendium.
The Dennis the Menace and Gnasher animated series is enjoying success on CBBC, ranking fifth out of all animation on BBC, reaching over three million viewers.
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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.
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