The Beano comic first appeared on 30 July 1938. Pictured here are the few characters I could find from its early days - chosen because they were ones from my childhood so are of course the best. But Beano continued to create iconic characters throughout its long life. That its humour was always very British, often acutely (working)class-conscious in form and content was for its readers part of the appeal. I was given to understand the DC Thompson were not always the most enlightened of employers but they did make good comic. As witness ( break for commercial ) the bumper edition for June 25th, the commemorative issue of the world’s longest running comic. about which - https://www.dctmedia.co.uk/2018/07/23/david-walliams-to-guest-edit-bean… about the first edition - https://downthetubes.net/?p=99193 All images copyright DC Thompson ( Has any one ever offered an explanation for why there is a watermelon-eating guy on the masthead ?)