Beano is celebrating the 40th birthday of one of the super hero world’s fruitiest creation, Bananaman, with the launch of a special edition comic, featuring an extended story for the character.
The super hero will also appear throughout all of the comic’s Dennis & Gnasher, Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids, and Billy Whizz strips within the special comic that hits news-stands today.
This time Bananaman’s birthday party has been crashed by a robot squid who has stolen all his powers, allowing villains to take over Beanotown. The Beanotown kids come together to defeat the baddies and free Bananaman.
Bananaman, and his alter ego Eric Wimp, first appeared in the British comic Nutty on February 16th 1980. Created by David Donaldson, writer Steve Bright and legendary artist John Geering, Bananaman turned traditional superhero tropes on their head with his hair-brained hijinks and misadventures.
In 1985 he moved across to the Dandy and after a short stint, Bananaman then appeared from 2012 in the Beano comic. Bananaman still appears in the weekly Beano comic, and stars in both The Dandy and Beano annuals each year.
Mike Stirling, editorial director of Beano Studios, said: “Get ready to peel the power. The last few years have been awash with superheroes, but none quite compare to our own barmy Bananaman.
“He might be originally from the Nutty comic but he’s Beano all the way down to his banana boots. This very special edition of the comic celebrating his 40th birthday will become a real collector’s item and treasured by fans for years to come.”
In honour of his birthday the Beano shop has released special edition Bananaman t-shirts and mugs with 15 per cent off all products for a limited time using the code BANANAS.
The range also includes dress-up costumes and ‘Man of Peel’ t-shirts.
