Mixing My Favourite Comics - "The Beanztopandy" Quiz

Answer: "The Topper"

"Beryl the Peril" is the brainchild of Scottish cartoonist, David Law, who is also responsible for the creation of "Dennis the Menace". She appeared in the very first issue of the "The Topper" comic, (back in 1953), and like Dennis, she too is known for her penchant for causing mischief.

When "The Topper" and "The Beezer" merged in 1990, "Beryl the Peril" continued to appear, and when "The Beezer and Topper" came to an end, (in 1993), she became part of "The Dandy". Moreover, in 2008, David Law's daughter, Rosemary Moffat, publicly revealed that it was she who inspired Law to create this mischievous character. For although she looked nothing like "Beryl the Peril", her tomboy antics as a child provided her father with an abundance of material for his comic strip.

Answer: False

Although the very first "Beano" comic was published in 1938, "Roger the Dodger" didn't appear until the 561st issue, (dated 18th April 1953). He was drawn by Ken Reid, and like many of the characters, Roger was known for his impish ways, and more specifically his constant attempts to dodge his way out of, (and sometimes into), a variety of situations. His dodges did however, have a tendency to backfire, and he usually ended his comic strips with a sore behind, courtesy of his dad's slipper.

Answer: Cow pie

Drawn by Dudley D. Watkins, "Desperate Dan" appeared in the very first issue of "The Dandy" comic, dated 4th December 1937. Initially he was portrayed as a lawbreaker, but this changed over time, and eventually he became a hero of sorts. A native of Cactusville, "Desperate Dan" was incredibly strong and robust, and was known for his love of cow pie.

Indeed up until 1996, the humble cow pie had featured in most of "Desperate Dan's" comic strips. However, due to the outbreak of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) that was sweeping Britain, "Desperate Dan" was forced to forgo his favourite treat for a while, and gorge himself on fish and vegetables instead.

Answer: Edd Case

"The Numskulls" was a comic strip drawn by Malcom Judge, who was also responsible for depicting "Beano" favourites, "Ball Boy" and "Billy Whizz". Although "The Numskulls" have appeared in both "The Beezer and Topper" and "The Beano", their first appearance was actually in the original "Beezer" comic. They were tiny human-like creatures who resided in a man's head, (during their appearances in other comics this was changed to a boy named Edd Case), and were responsible for controlling his actions. There were originally six Numskulls, but once they moved to "The Beezer and Topper" comic, they had been whittled down to five.

The "Lord Snooty" comic strip belonged to "The Dandy", while, (as mentioned above), Malcom Judge is the name of the artist who actually drew "The Numskulls". Finally, Eggbert Long is just a name that I made up.

Answer: Snooty

Drawn by Dudley Dexter Watkins, (who also created "The Dandy's" "Desperate Dan), "Lord Snooty and his Pals" made their debut in 1938, in the very first issue of "The Beano". Despite his pompous title, (Lord Marmaduke of Bunkerton), Lord Snooty was just an ordinary boy, who liked nothing more than mixing with his friends from Ash Can Alley. Moreover during the war years, Lord Snooty was one of many comic favourites who helped keep up British morale, by making enemies such as Hitler look foolish. In 2008, the original Lord Snooty was replaced by his grandson, "Lord Snooty the Third", who rode a quad bike, and once drove a train through the house.

"Korky the Cat" had his own strip in "The Dandy", while "Billy Whizz" was one of the stars of "The Beano". Dudley Dexter Watkins, (as mentioned above), was the English cartoonist responsible for drawing "The Dandy's" "Desperate Dan".

Answer: Black and white

In 1937, "Korky the Cat" made his debut in the very first issue of "The Dandy". Drawn by James Crighton, he was "The Dandy's" first front-cover star, reigning supreme until 1985, when "Desperate Dan" took over. He was a black and white male cat, whose enemies were the mice. During his time at "The Dandy" he underwent numerous changes in appearance, and didn't actually speak until 1942. The 1950s saw Korky being joined by his "Kits", who eventually became more prominent in the comic strip. However by 2004 it seemed that Korky's popularity had dropped, and he did disappear for a while.

Answer: Cuthbert Cringeworthy

"The Bash Street Kids" was created by Leo Baxendale, who also invented other comic greats such as "Little Plum" and "Minnie the Minx". However, the strip was originally known by another name, and when it first appeared in "The Beano", (in February 1954), it did so under the title of "When the Bell Rings". In fact it wasn't until 1956 that it changed its name to "The Bash Street Kids". Moreover the very first strip only featured three characters, (which were Danny, Toots and the Caretaker), and the rest appeared gradually over time. Cuthbert Cringeworthy didn't actually appear until 1971, and was portrayed as an insufferable know-it-all, as well as a teacher's pet. He also bore a startling resemblance to Teacher himself.

All of the other characters are complete fiction, and their names are entirely made up.

Answer: Colonel Blink

The first issue of "The Beezer", (later know as "The Beezer and Topper"), was published in January 1956. However it wasn't until two years later, (in November 1958), that "Colonel Blink" made his first appearance in the comic. Drawn by Tom Bannister, "Colonel Blink" was portrayed as a blunt, no-nonsense, short-sighted man, who continually found himself in trouble, due to his innocent mistakes, usually involving hilarious cases of mistaken identity. One character who was always wrongly identified was Rover the dog, who was once confused with a rug, a lion, and even an insurance salesman by the blundering, short-sighted title character.

One again, all of the other characters are completely made up.

Answer: Bananaman

Drawn by John Geering, "Bananaman" appeared in the very first issue of the "Nutty" comic, before moving over to "The Dandy", following the demise of "Nutty" in 1985. In this strip, Little Eric, (also known as Eric the Wimp, or Eric Twinge), is an ordinary schoolboy. However this all changes when he eats a banana, which transforms him into "Bananaman". Known by his colourful yellow and blue outfit, (complete with a yellow cape), "Bananaman" is an adult superhero who only has to eat a banana in order to top up his strength. He possesses numerous powers, including the ability to fly and breathe in space. He has a helium-boosted heat finger and also has the added advantage of super strength and invulnerability.

Mr Fantastic is a member of "The Fantastic Four", and is a fictional character created by Marvel. "Superman" is also a comic book hero, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. "The Hulk" too, is also part of "Marvel Comics", and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Answer: Foo Foo

Walter the Softie was the nerdy, effeminate next door neighbour of "The Beano's" "Dennis the Menace". Dressed in a blue school jumper and shorts, he also wore glasses and a bow tie. His first appearance in the comic strip was in 1952, nearly a year after the creation of "Dennis the Menace", although he was not actually named until the following year. Regularly "menaced" by Dennis, he was much more likely to be seen picking flowers or holding a tea party, than causing mischief like his tormentor. Finally, in 1975 Walter found himself some friends, in the form of Bertie Blenkinsop and Algernon "Spotty" Perkins, and together they made up "The Softies".

Tubby and Bones were part of "Pup Parade", which was a "Beano" comic strip that centred around the dogs belonging to "The Bash Street Kids". Gnasher too, was a "Beano" character, and was the canine companion of "Dennis the Menace".