The other way this comic differed from the existing offerings was through its main content of self-contained rather than serialised stories. The Scottish publisher D C Thomson was already a major producer of British children's story papers when in 1937 they introduced a new humorous anthology, the Dandy comic which, unlike the existing story magazines, offered predominantly drawn comic strips, and included 'American style' speech balloons rather than captions. Comic strip stories were gradually included, though the magazines remained primarily textual, often drawing from literary genres. Text story magazines for children had been popular since before the turn of the century, offering serialized popular narratives of mystery and adventure. The market of comics for children was already richly populated both with imports and British story papers by the late 1930s. The diversity of characters has continually morphed throughout the 80 years of publication, reflecting real social changes which affect childhood experiences, but the feeling of a chaotic carnival has remained the foundation of the comic. They sometimes fail, sometimes succeed, they laugh at others and at themselves, they challenge and question, they play on the edge of the adult world, but always remain children. It is published weekly as a gathering of fun-loving, original and energetic personalities who throw themselves wholeheartedly into celebrating life. As a title Beano drew from the positive associations of a festive occasion to inform the tone of the comic. The expression ‘beano’ originated from this and in its abbreviated form it became associated more informally with any party. ‘Bean feast’ is an eighteenth century term referring to an annual formal dinner.
It appears that despite its irreverent and mischievous nature, the comic has become a British institution in its own right. What seems remarkable about these widespread appropriations of the comic's birthday celebrations is the incongruous relationship between these prestigious and well-respected institutions, and a comic for children where silliness, ridicule and misbehaviour are central tropes. The event became the most popular comics exhibition in UK history.
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In its honour, the V&A art museum in London hosted an exhibition entitled Beano: A Manual for Mischief, Stella McCartney produced a dedicated fashion collection for kids paying homage to the comic characters, the National Trust (a heritage charity for historic buildings and landscapes) held Beano inspired "mischief and mayhem" related events across the country, and the McManus, Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, was renamed 'The McMenace' and hosted exhibits such as 'Minnie Lisa' by Duh Vinci, a Mona Lisa inspired portrait of Minnie the Minx, one of the comic’s most well-known naughty characters. The ways that this special birthday was celebrated speaks loudly to the place it has in British culture and British hearts.
British comic readers also celebrated an 80th in 2018, of not one character but of a whole comic, and importantly a children's comic.
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