Beano Review - Issue 25 May 2016

Beano Issue Wednesday 25 May 2016 - Review

During this review, I will go through each page of the latest Beano (Issue Wednesday 25 May 2016) with my thoughts on the content.

Page 1 - Front Cover - The cover is good, as it highlights comic snips from the previous week for readers that may not have had read it, and is very detailed, with humour such as "THAT'S WHAT WE CALL A CLIFF... HANGER!" whilst the bus is on the edge of a cliff. This is classic Beano humour and definitely belongs on the front cover! 

The cover gets a 5/5 from me.

Page 2 - Puzzle: Dot To Dolt (Dot to Dot) - I see puzzle pages as a weak feature. Beanotown Confidential pages were more beneficial to the reader, and, to the main point, had an opening or 'welcome' to the comic. This was better than a puzzle just slap banged on the page for the reader. Additionally, Beanotown Confidential also had a 'hunt' which 'earned' the reader a special card at the back of the comic, which is no longer here. I'm just glad the Menace Test is still here and I will not be happy if that becomes discontinued, also. 

I give the puzzle a 1/5.

Also, the gifts (which I went and bought a copy in a shop because I wanted to see what they were like) included a cardboard pair of Beano-Culars (binoculars) which my pair came with one of the 'lenses' slightly misplaced and is very delicate. This gift isn't worth the extra £1 for the comic (£3.50 instead of £2.50) in my opinion, however the other gift compensates for this. It's a folded cardboard Map of Beanotown, complete with the Beanotown Confidential symbol on the front. I think this gift was due some time ago since it states you can follow the adventures of Beanotown in Beanotown Confidential every week in The Beano, which you no longer can. Not to mention it has 2015 on it. The map is good and has loads of information on it. I feel the cardboard binoculars were cardboard, not plastic as they were quickly made to go with the map as if you're 'zooming in' or 'out' at the locations. 

I give the binoculars gift a 2/5 and the Beanotown Confidential Map gift a 5/5.

Note: I did not take pictures of the gifts.

Page 3, 4 & 5 - Dennis The Menace and Gnasher (Words: Nigel Auchiterloune Art: Nigel Parkinson) 

(Yes, I know they've now called it "Dennis and Gnasher" but I refuse to name it without saying 'The Menace' in the title.)

This comic strip is decent. I don't want to spoil it since it contains the conclusion from the latest weekly cliff-hanger comic story, but I'll just say this...

...this strip gets a 5/5 for me this week!

Page 6 - Fun Kids Strip (Words: Nigel Auchiterloune Art: Barrie Appleby) - This weeks guest is Chief O'Reilly... and a potential Bananaman, you could say.

I give this strip a 3/5.

Page 7 - Funsize Funnies

1 - Simply Smiffy (Words & Art: Paul Palmer) - The strip could have been detailed more. This strip showcases Smiffy being tired from answering the phone late in the night only to be notified the person called Smiffy by mistake. Smiffy is supposedly tired, but doesn't look that tired to me, he just looks how I'd look a few minutes before I go to sleep.

I give this strip a 4/5.

2 - Jungle Judy (Words & Art: Sharp Bros.) - This strip is okay to me, but isn't my favourite. I did enjoy the gag this week though.

I give this strip a 5/5.

3 - Betty & The Yeti (Words & Art: Hugh Raine) - This week the strip really made me laugh, let's just say Yeti sitting in a cafe eating an ice-cream is not something you see every day, with an additional gag in there!

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 8 - Gnasher and Gnipper (Words: Barry Hutchison Art: Barrie Appleby) - This week, the dogs are not chasing the postman, which gets boring seeing the same old gag week by week. I don't mind it every few weeks, but not every issue running. Instead, Gnasher and Gnipper are being hypnotised... but at the same time they're not... someone else is. (Not the postman!)

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 9 - (Advert) Puzzle: Scooby-Doo Coordination Grid - Even though this is nothing to do with The Beano, and is still technically advertising Scooby-Doo, I enjoy this sort of puzzle.

I give this feature a 4/5.

Page 10 & 11 - Minnie The Minx (Words & Art: Nigel Parkinson) - The story this week is unrealistic, as because Minnie cannot sleep her Dad suggests he reads a book... um, that isn't going to work, so Minnie shreds it - but that's not the unrealistic bit. The unrealistic bit is the next suggestion by her Dad is counting sheep, and a load of sheep magically appear. However, a comic does not have to be realistic, so I have no objection. I never stated the unrealistic parts were bad, and to me, they're not. They are what make the comic funny. If the comic was based on what would happen in real life, it would just be boring. I'm not going to spoil the strip for you, so buy your copy if you haven't already to read it.

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 12 - Dennis... and Gnasher's Gnawesome Giveaways - The prizes this week are a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles package (one to win) which consists of a Sewer Lair Playset, Technodrome Tactical Truck and four Super Deluxe turtle action figures, as well as a PS4 Game Pack (which includes a Playstation 4 and Goosebumps DVD). Again, there is only one of these to win. The final prize in the selection is a StickBot Studio and StickBot Figure, there are fifteen of these to win.

Overall, only one of the prizes have more than one available to win, and only one (the PS4) has a 'high value'. I feel the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles package could have had a few more winners on it, rather than just one.

I give this weeks prize selection a 3/5.

Page 13 - Calamity James (Words & Art: Leslie Stannage) - This weeks Calamity James is quite funny, has the great Calamity James texture to it, rather than a 'modernised' comic texture.

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 14 - The Numskulls (Words & Art: Nigel Auchterlounie) - This weeks strip mainly focuses on Brainy, the Numskull in charge of Edd's Head. I think it's safe to say that Brainy doesn't have a fantastic night. I would however like to see the strip focus on Edd and the other Numskulls more.

I give this strip a 4/5.

Page 15 - Puzzle: Help Brainy! - This puzzle is a maze where you move your finger or use a pen to try to follow the correct path to the relevant object/area, in this case the brain. The puzzle relates to the comic strip however I'd rather not have it and just have a comic strip to read. They could even make the puzzle half the size of a page and put two Funsize Funny strips (3 panel ones) underneath or on top of the puzzle. I wouldn't mind this.

I give this puzzle a 2/5.

Page 16 - (Advertisement) - WIDL DEALS! - This is an advertisement for The Beano Shop, showcasing the deals on The Beano website. I like the style, as 'WIDL' is clearly a mimic of Lidl, however the "deals" could be better. For example, a Menace Mug is £14.99, so basically £15. Although it is personalised and has your name on it, this is a bit much. I would happily settle on paying £10, but I can get a normal Beano Mug (I have several in my house) that is not personalised for about £5 in shops such as Tesco and sometimes Wilkinson.

I give this page a 3/5.

Page 17 - Ball Boy (Words: Barry Hutchison Art: Chris McGhie) - This doesn't really involve the gang playing football, more of trying to cool down, therefore I found it funny. I don't like football, never will, but this strip I found okay, and even though I don't like football, I don't mind the Ball Boy Comic Strip as it doesn't always largely relate to or include the gang playing football.

I give this strip a 4/5.

Page 18 & 19 - The Bash Street Kids (Words: Tommy Donbavand Art: David Sutherland) - This strip entertained me as it starts off with a 'normal' day in class and turns into... I'm not spoiling it for you. Buy the comic!

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 20 - The Bash Feet Kids (Puzzle) - This is similar to The Numskulls puzzle earlier, so I'll just give it a...

...2 out of 5.

Page 21 - Pup Parade (Words & Art: Lew Stringer) - I really liked this strip, and Lew Stringer is one of my favourite artists in The Beano.

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 22 - Funsize Funnies

1 - Hayley Comet (Words & Art: Steve Beckett) - This strip was good, so let's just say computer tablets can have some disadvantages with people from outer space, as you'll find out in the actual comic strip itself.

I give this strip a 4/5.

2 - Les Pretend (Words & Art: Paul Palmer) - This week was brilliant for this strip. Let's just say there's a little twist!

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 23 - Bananaman (Words: Cavan Scott Art: Wayne Thompson) - Conclusion to the latest weekly running story in the Bananaman strip. Was a decent conclusion.

I give this strip a 4/5.

Page 24 - Tricky Dicky (Words: Nigel Auchterlounie Art: Laura Howell) - Tricky Dicky is my second favourite strip of The Beano after Dennis The Menace and Gnasher. This weeks strip is not to be missed, or should I say 'dodged'?

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 25 - Feature Page: Tricky Dicky's School of Pranks! Lesson 99: Taking The Biscuit! - This was a decent prank, that can be done. Trapping the biscuit tin so it soaks the person when they open it, using a water balloon and obviously the biscuit tin. The only thing I'd say is it states to ask an adult to help with the prank, but it may be the adult the child is pranking or the adult may be suspicious and refuse to help. Also, since this is the 99th prank, I'm hoping prank 100 next week will not be the last one, if we even get a 100th prank. This is a pattern with The Beano, we usually get 50 or 100 weeks of a decent feature (I love Tricky Dicky and the School of Pranks) and then they stop running. I hope this feature, Tricky Dicky's School of Pranks, keeps on going!

I give this feature a 5/5.

Page 26 - Subscription Offer: 13 Issues for £17 - This is a direct debit offer and the total price concludes of £68... for 13 issues. This isn't cheap, working out at £1.33 an issue (even though the retail price is £2.50). I'm stating this as you can get other better offers, which I do myself, such as 15 issues for £15, one-off payment, therefore being just £1 an issue.

I give this offer a 1/5.

Page 27 - Billy Whizz (Words: Gordon Volke Art: Wayne Thompson) - This strip is a sort of Summer style strip, involving donkey rides and reminds me of Beano Summer Specials.

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 28 & 29 - Dennis's Wall Of Fame (Fan Page) - Some good fans featured here but no drawings... drawings are what I'd like to see. I do however like the drawers that a fan (who I won't name since I don't have permission to put their name online) decorated... Beano style!

I give this weeks Wall Of Fame a 4/5.

Page 30 - (Advertisement) - Top Cat Jokes - Not much to say apart from it's a load of cat-themed jokes and an advertisement on when Top Cat is in cinemas.

I give this feature a 4/5 as there are a decent amount of jokes (12 in total).

Page 31 - Funsize Funnies

1 - Dangerous Dan (Words & Art: Paul Palmer) - The strip was 'pants' but in a good way! You'll see what I mean if you buy the comic and read it...

...I give this strip a 5/5.

2 - Zoo-Ella (Words & Art: Gary Northfield) - This strip showcases Zoo-Ella vlogging about where she lives... Beanotown Zoo.

I give this strip a 5/5.

3 - Rasher (Words & Art: Lew Stringer) - This strip was decent, Rasher finds a way to get food.

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 32 & 33 - Roger The Dodger (Words: Gordon Volke Art: Barrie Appleby) - This strip entertained me as Roger pulls off some dodges but are they successful? I'm not spoiling that for you, so you'll have to buy and read the comic yourself to find out!

I give this strip a 5/5.

Page 34 - (Puzzle) Trainspotting Wordsearch - This is a puzzle that is okay to me, takes a bit longer to complete than the other puzzles which can be completed within a few minutes. But... I'm still going by my opinion, I'd rather have a comic strip than a puzzle.

I give this puzzle a 3/5.

Page 35 - The Menace Test and Next Weeks Highlights - The Menace Test is great as always and the next week highlights look promising, keeping me excited to collect the next issue.

Page 36 - Indra The Ninja (Make Me A Menace) (Words: Nigel Auchterlounie Art: Hunt Emerson) - This strip really entertained me. I have tried a few times to get in this strip and I'll have to keep trying every week. Let's just say Indra is a real Ninja!

I give this strip a 5/5.

Overall, this was a good issue. Thank you for reading this review. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed typing it, as it did take me a good hour.

See you in my next post!

-Andrew.