The Beano

Created for the Exhibition: A Boy with a Leg Named Brian: Memoirs by Pete McKee

'The Beano was delivered to our house on a Thursday. It was the cornerstone of my life. I completely devoured it – as well as all other comics of that time. I tried to copy-draw my favourite characters and even became a member of the Dennis the Menace Fan Club. Gnark gnark.

It was an odd comic in some ways, bridging a divide between traditional strips, with their post-war values and antiquated dress, like “Lord Snooty” and “Biffo the Bear”, and the more contemporary, Goonish, wacky humour of Leo Baxendale’s creations, like “The Bash Street Kids” and “The Three Bears”.

In a way, the Beano was comforting and slightly conformist, like the BBC’s Blue Peter and Swap Shop. But then, in the same way that ITV’s Tiswas shook up Saturday morning TV, along came Cheeky, Monster Fun and the groundbreaking 2000AD, shaking up the foundations and bringing a new edge and sense of liberation to the comic world. Just like punk did with prog rock.' 

Product Options:

Unframed Art Print:
Small: 40cm x 56cm
Large: 50cm x 70cm
Printed on high-quality paper with a white border.
Collect in store in 1 - 4 days
Items must be collected within 30 days of receiving the ‘Ready for Collection’ email. Please review our Collection Policy on the Delivery and Collections page.
Delivery in 3 - 5 days

Framed Art Print:
Small: 43cm x 59cm (approx)
Large: 53cm x 73cm (approx)
Mounted in a bespoke glass, black angled frame by our local framer.

Please note our frame profile has changed slightly due to stock of our original frame style being discontinued. There is a slight visible difference if you are buying a frame to sit next to an existing one. Please contact us before ordering if you are unsure.

Collection in store in 4 - 10 days
Items must be collected within 30 days of receiving the ‘Ready for Collection’ email. Please review our Collection Policy on the Delivery and Collections page.
Delivery in 9 - 10 days

Mini Prints
Size: 25cm x 31cm
Fixings for the picture to be hung on your wall or stood on a desk or shelf.
Mounted in a bespoke glass, black angled frame by our local framer.
Collection in store in 4 - 10 days
Items must be collected within 30 days of receiving the ‘Ready for Collection’ email. Please review our Collection Policy on the Delivery and Collections page.
Delivery in 9 - 10 days