BillyBatson4360

No it was not a Wiseman issue. I'll let Joe look up the issue number. I think I have it somewhere. I picked quite a few non-Wisman issues buying Dennis comics in lots when I was assembling my collection. I haven't looked through most of them. But I seem to recall a Dennis Visits London cover somewhere in there.

Finally, this doesn't have anything to do with Dennis' supporting cast, but in my research I came across this cartoon and thought those of us who are comic book fans (especially of 1950's "Seduction of Innocent" era comics) would get a kick out of it.

I'm pretty confident that this panel represents Gina's first appearance in the Dennis newspaper strip. It also comes from "Teacher's Threat," which would place her debut somewhere from mid 1958 to early 1959. Her comic book debut came in issue #39, cover dated November 1959. Again, this indicates she was created in the newspaper strip and then moved into the comic book.

Just a few short months later, Joey had morphed into the character we all know. This cartoon is from the paperback collection "Teacher's Threat." It features cartoons from 1958 and 1959 and Joey is used in a lot of them.

Okay, did a little research and as near as I can tell Joey made his debut in the Dennis comic strip somewhere from mid 1957 to early 1958. He didn't make it to the comic book until issue # 31, cover dated November 1958 (which means it was probably on sale some time in the mid-summer of '58). This would indicate that the character was created for the newspaper strip.

Also, it looks like Joey went through a design change from the time he was introduced. Here's a panel featuring the early version of Joey. It comes from the paperback collection "In This Corner..." As these paperback collection don't contain every Dennis panel - nor are any of the panels dated, it's impossible to pin down the exact date of this cartoon or whether or not it represents Joey's first appearance.

BTW Margaret made her debut a year earlier.

Before I get into listing the various back-up strips that ran in "Dennis the Menace," does anyone know the real reason for these back-ups? I seem to remember reading that comics in the 1950's and early 60's were required to feature at least one story that used different characters than the rest of the stories in the comic in order to qualify for 2nd Class mailing permits. These were the same regulations that required text stories.

Most single character comics all featured one story per issue that starred a different character. Uncle Scrooge had Gyro Gearloose, Popeye had O.G. Wottsnozzle, etc. Yet, Superman comics all featured Superman from cover to cover, so who knows? If anyone knows the reason behind these second bananas, I'd appreciate the information.

All right, now on to the listing of the back-up strips that ran in Dennis the Menace:

No back-up strips # 1-4

Pee Bee Kappa (Boy Genius) # 5

Chub # 6, 22 - This character was overweight, back when that was an accepted target for a kids humor strip (think Little Lotta). Mercifully, he only made two appearances.

Punky # 7-10, 23-30 - A forerunner of Joey's. A much younger kid than Dennis who got into all kinds of adventures that his parents remained blissfully unaware of.

Screamy Mimi # 11-21 - A female "Menace" whose main quality was shouting instead of speaking in a quiet voice. Even as a kid, I found her to be a one-joke character whose joke wore thin quickly.

Joey # 31-37 - Before Joey joined the main Dennis stories he spent a few issues as a back-up feature. He actually crossed over into the main continuity in issue # 34 and that may explain why his last solo outing was in # 37 (if the back-up characters couldn't apear in the main story or vice versa).

A Grandpa Story # 38-51, 53, 58-60, 68-70 - Appears to be the longest running back-up story. A grandfather tells some kids stories that the kids exaggerate or take too literally in their imaginations.

The above mentioned strips all were drawn by Wiseman if Wiseman did the art on the Dennis strips as well. The strips below I'm not as familar with because I don't collect the non-Wiseman issues.

Shorty’s Tall Tales # 52, 54-57, 62-67

Special Cowboy Coloring Section # 61 - Actually this one seems pretty self-explanatory.

Flags That Tell the Story of Our Country # 71 - Ditto.

Beany # 72-81, 83-85

Some Thrilling “Blue Angels” Maneuvers # 82 - The issue's cover story featured Dennis & Henry watching an exhibition by the Blue Angels.

If Joe or anybody else wants to complete this list, be my guest.

Thanks, that cleared up the problem. Now, what did you do to my original image to make it sharper (so the next time I want to change my avatar I don't have to rely on the kindness of fellow posters)?

I've actually put together a listing of the back-up features in Dennis the Menace for the first 60 or 70 issues. I will post that this weekend.

I'm curious to discover if Joey was introduced into the Dennis comic strip first or was he a creation of Wiseman/Toole that debuted in the comic book and then migrated to the strip. If so, it would be a significant addition to the Dennis lore for Wiseman/Toole as Joey quickly supplanted Tommy as Dennis' #1 playmate.

I'm pretty sure that Margaret and Gina were introduced in the daily strip and then made their way into the comic book.

Hmmm. More research seems in order...

[bTW still looking for someone who can tell me how I can sharpen up my avatar.]

tth2:

To help your search, here's the cover to the issue # 30 - "The Inside Story" is the last story in the book. BTW, I love this cover!

As I mentioned before, Al Wiseman and Fred Toole worked themselves into a story in Dennis the Menace # 30. Appropriately called "The Inside Story," this tale had Dennis and his Dad visiting a comic book studio where they met Wiseman and Toole. Very surreal. Here's the last page from the story.

As depicted with the crazy glasses, I gotta believe Wiseman wasn't nearly as goofy as he drew himself.

Well, I finally got my avatar graphic small enough so the board would accept it. Only problem is the line work looks sort of sketchy. That's not the way the scan looked on my computer screen. Anybody have any suggestions on how I could sharpen the image? (I'll keep trying until I get it right!)

I was busy with a freelance writing project last week, so I couldn't post much. Just have a couple of quickies today. The first is the original cover to the Dennis the Menace Fun Book.

While this issue was reprinted many times as part of the Dennis Giant/Bonus Magazine Series. It's first printing was as a one-shot. 100 pages thick, I believe this is also the only printing to sport a blue background (also the only printing carry "No. 1" on the cover as well.). Subsequent reprintings featured a white background. The art inside contains several Wiseman stories, but it is not 100% Wiseman.

I can't speak for the rest of the board, but it looks like your scanner may need a little Windex, Joe. There are blurry patches on both the Groening page and the top half of the Hembeck page.

Also, it's probably my failing eyes, but I cannot read the baloons on the Hemback page. Is there a way to arrange the scan in chunks so it posts panels in a bigger size?

I can't really shed too much light on the Grand Comic Book Database either. I've used it for research, but I've never contributed. It was my understanding that people could reserve titles, but they needed to be turning in research in a timely fashion or they would lose their reservation. Maybe that's not the case, I really don't know.

It is a private website - somebody is paying the freight on the bandwidth - so I guess they can choose whoever they want to do the research. If you're interested, Joe, drop them a nice friendly e-mail and see what response you get.

If Fred drops by the thread, that would be great - I've been a fan of his work since way back when he started his weekly strip for CBG. I own several collections of that work.

As for the growing Bolling cult, I have a feeling that many comic book fans (like the population in general) have a lot off people who simply follow the herd. After all, Rob Liefeld was "star" for awhile and I thought the guy was atrocious (big necks, big guns, little heads, scowls - over and over and over). Somebody liked Bolling's work, got it some exposure, other jumped on the bandwagon. I just wish Wiseman could be so lucky!

Gotta agree, Joe. Recognition for Dennis comics (especially Al Wiseman's) are long overdue. I've watched as first Carl Barks and then John Stanley emerged from the shadow of super-hero comics. Very worthy candidates!

I was pleased when Dan DeCarlo received his due. I have a fondness for George Carlson (Jingle Jangle Tales), but I have to be honest - when Bob Bolling started getting recognition for "Little Archie" - I must confess to getting a little irritated.

Not that I begrudge Bolling his due. It's just that I find Wiseman a much better artist - and he continues to languish in annonymity. It is long past time for his (and Fred Toole's) contribution to comic book culture to be recognized.

BTW, I'm very excited to see Fantagraphics launching a "complete" Dennis project. (Just what I needed - another "must buy" item!)

My understanding is that sales of regular "newsstand" size issues of the Archie line of comics would not be enough to keep the company afloat without the digests. The outlets for comics are few once you get past comic book shops. And comic book shops don't really sell many Archies. Mine doesn't even stock any on the display they reserve for kids comics. (They stock the new Disney titles, Simpsons comics, as well as the DC and Marvel books aimed at younger readers.)

Well, I've been known to stray off topic a time or two myself. Someone is sure to have more information, but as I understand it, Harvey temporarily suspended publication due to a family squabble over control of the company.

They resolved the squabble, returned to the marketplace - and even for a brief moment tried reviving non-Harvey core characters like Felix the Cat, Popeye, and Tom & Jerry (featuring a great T&J artist whose name I've now forgotten as well as Carl Barks reprints of Droopy & Benny and His Burro) - but ultimately failed to find a large enough audience to survive.

Archie managed to keep publishing due to their digests - which they're placed into checkout lines of supermarkets.

Wow! Very impressive collection case, LD! I noticed you have a nearly complete set of Dennis hand puppets (with a few doubles) AND the Dennis the Menace Mischief Kit (which I so fondly remember from my childhood).

I'd love to see more examples of what you've got. Obviously, Sunday pages and original art, but any Dennis items you think are worthwhile. Glad you can join us!

Great start Joe. Very exhaustive. I'm looking forward to seeing future updates.

You mention the ad for Dennis puppets on Chirstmas Giant # 6. Here's the ad - pulled from the back cover of the regular series issue where it first appeared Dennis the Menace # 31:

And in a very ususual attempt to promote better sales of the puppets, issues # 31 and # 32 also featured "Puppet Tales" - very strange little Dennis stories where the characters are drawn (and move) like hand puppets. Notice the expressions on the puppets do not change from panel to panel:

I actually owned the "Dennis" puppet when I was kid. I also saw a batch of 4 of these (Dennis, Henry, Mr. Wilson & Joey) go for over $100 on eBay (and the Henry puppet was missing its glasses) this weekend. I would imagine the puppets of the lesser characters (especially Tommy) would be very hard to find.

Just to keep my hand in with scans this weekend. Here's one from the back cover

of any early issue of Dennis, promoting a Denis the Menace doll:

Anybody (Joe?) own one of these?

There was also a product I loved as a kid called "The Dennis the Menace Mischeif Kit." My parents bought it for me. It contained "gags" like fake spilled ink, etc. I'd love to get my hands on a well-preserved copy!

Thanks for posting those "Bible Kids comics, Joe. Funniest had to be the "David" cover as it fit both the Bible story & Dennis' character.

Still no post on the interior art - am I correct in assuming it's not Wiseman?

New Price Guide is out. Not much in the way of increases in the Dennis books. I'm always kind of stumped with the listings for books like Dennis. As most of us have stated, these books are very hard to locate. Most comic shops have little to no inventory on hand (especially of the earlier issues). I've only seen 4 copies of #1 in my life. Joe says he's only seen a few as well. SO, if almost no copies of # 1 are changing hands during any given year, how does one establish a price for it?

For those just looking to start collecting Dennis, I would highly recommend looking for the later issues of the Bonus Series magazines that reprint the earlier Al Wiseman drawn giants. Or, if you can locate them, the Best of Dennis the Menace issues that reprint Wiseman stories from the regular series. Then, if you find that you like Wiseman's art and Fred Toole's scripting, you can begin searching for the original issues. As Joe has pointed out, eBay is your best source. I was attempting to complete my collection for over 15 years. On eBay I was able to finish my collection in about 18 months. Now, unlike Joe, I was only interested in the Wiseman issues, but diligent searching of eBay will turn up even the lower numbered issues in a given time period.

This is a bit off-topic, but I'm trying to add an avatar to my posts. My problem sems to be file size. No matter how I compress the jpeg file, it's still too big to upload. No only that, but the higher the compression ratios, the blotchier the color becomes.

How do some of you get such great looking avatars? Expecially, adamstrange - yours seems so sharp, colorful, and filled with details. What's the trick?

We have talked quite a bit about "Dennis in Hawaii" - probably the first comic book that ever sent its creative team "on location" to get story and art ideas. Joe (CBG) posted a scan from one of the reprints, so I thought I would post the cover from that first printing. It's easy to spot because it was the only edition published by Pines Comics and the only one (of the covers to carry the # 6) that doesn't mention what printing it is:

First of all, thanks for clearing up the mystery of the two #99's. I have already adjusted my master list.

I'm glad to finally be able to find a practical use for the checklist. I actually began assembling it when I was putting together my collection of Dennis Giants that Wiseman had worked on. It was frustrating to see eBay listings that just gave issue numbers with no pictures or titles to go along with them. I never knew if I needed the issues or not. So I began to keep a record so I wouldn't wind up bidding on something I didn't really want.

Be my guest if you want to take the list from #111 on out. As I said, I am primarily a fan of the Wiseman comics and don't have many of the non-Wiseman Giants.

Don't get me started on Overstreet. There are errors and omissions (particularly among non-superhero books) that have been in there for over a decade. I belive the people who put out that book have forgotten they were supposed to reflect the marketplace. Now, they think they're trying to lead the marketplace.

Here is the listing of contents for the first 113 Dennis the Menace Giants. Some of this list was compiled from comics I personally owned and the rest was put together from other sources (such as the Grand Comic Book Database and eBay auction listings). It is as accurate as I can make it. I would appreciate anyone correcting me if they have better information.

The numbering on these is a bit perplexing. The first two Giants had no number. Then, the third Dennis Giant was issued with a # 2 (perhaps the thought was that it was the 2nd Vacation Special). However, the second Christmas Special appeared with # 3 on the cover. There are two # 6's (owing to the change from Pines Comics to Hallden). There are also two # 95's and NO # 96. And I believe there are two # 99's. I do not own either version of # 99 that my research has turned up, so I would appreciate it if anybody could confirm this information.

Christmas Specials I presume that the Christmas Specials always featured new material. I haven't read all of them, so I don't know if they ever simply reprinted one of the specials from the past.

In Hawaii "Dennis the Menace in Hawaii" was first published by Pines Comics in the summer of 1958. Hallden reissued the book again in the summer of 1959, the summer of 1960 and again in the summer of 1962 without changing the numbering on the front cover (#6). The later editions carried a different banner at the top of the cover. 1959 said "3rd Large Printing," 1960: "4th Large Printing," and 1962: "5th Large Printing." In 1963, with the "6th Large Printing," the numbering became # 18 and all future reprintings were part of the regular series of Dennis Giants. I'll be posting a scan of the original first printing for you after I get done with this post.

For the sake of space, I have omitted the term "Dennis the Menace" which figures into the official title of most of thse issues.

nn Vacation Special (New)

nn Christmas Special (New)

2. Vacation Special (New)

3. Christmas Special (New)

4. Vacation Special (New)

5. Christmas Special (New)

6. In Hawaii (New)

6. Christmas Special (New)

7. In Hollywood (New)

8. In Mexico (New)

9. Goes to Camp (New)

10. Christmas Special (New)

11. Christmas Special (New)

12. Triple Feature (New)

13. Best of (Reprints from regular series)

14. And His Dog Ruff (New)

15. In Washington, D.C. (New)

16. Goes to Camp (Reprints # 9)

17. And His Pal Joey (New)

18. In Hawaii (Reprints # 6)

19. Christmas Special (New)

20. Spring Special (New)

21. Best of (Reprints from regular series)

22. Television Special (New)

23. In Hollywood (Reprints # 7)

24. Goes to Camp (Reprints #9)

25. In Mexico (Reprints # 8)

26. In Washington, D.C. (Reprints # 15)

27. Christmas Special (New)

28. Triple Feature (New)

29. Best of (Reprints from regular series)

30. In Hawaii (Reprints # 6)

31. All Year ‘Round (New)

32. And His Pal Joey (Reprints # 17)

33. In California (New)

34. And His Dog Ruff (Reprints # 14)

35. Christmas Special (New)

36. Spring Special (New)

37. Television Special (Reprints # 22)

38. In Mexico (Reprints # 8)

39. Goes to Camp (Reprints # 9)

40. In Washington, D.C. (Reprints # 15)

41. From A to Z (New)

42. In Hollywood (Reprints # 7)

43. Christmas Special (New)

44. Around the Clock (New)

45. And His Pal Joey ( Reprints # 17)

46. Triple Feature (Reprints # 28)

47. In California (Reprints # 33)

48. Way Out Stories (New)

49. All Year ‘Round (Reprints # 31)

50. At the Circus (New)

51. Christmas Special (New)

52. Sports Special (New)

53. Spring Special (Reprints # 36 – Partially)

54. And His Dog Ruff (Reprints # 14)

55. Television Special (Reprints # 22)

56. Tall Stories (New)

57. Pet Parade (New)

58. Best of (Reprints from regular series)

59. Day By Day (New)

60. In Hollywood (Reprints # 7)

61. Christmas Favorites (New?)

62. Fun Book (Reprints Fun Book # 1 – Partially)

63. And His I-Wish-I-Was Book (New)

64. In Mexico (Reprints # 8)

65. Around the Clock (Reprints # 44)

66. Gags & Games (New)

67. Goes to Camp (Reprints # 9)

68. In Hawaii (Reprints # 6)

69. Best of (Reprints from regular series)

70. Tangled Tales (New)

71. Highlights ( Reprints or new)

72. In Washington D.C. (Reprints # 15)

73. Way Out Stories (Reprints # 48)

74. Mr. Wilson and His Gang at Christmas (New)

75. Christmas Special (New?)

76. In the Caribbean, Jamaica and Puerto Rico (New)

77. Sports Special (New)

78. Spring Special (Reprint?)

79. Tall Stories (Reprints # 56)

80. Day by Day (Reprints # 59)

81. Summer Funner (New)

82. In California (Reprints # 33)

83. Mama Goose (New)

84. At the Circus (Reprints # 50)

85. Fall-Ball (New)

86. Mr. Wilson and His Gang at Christmas (Reprints # 74)

87. Christmas Special (New?)

88. In London (New)

89. Spring Fling (New)

90. Here’s How (New)

91. Fun Book (Reprints Fun Book # 1 – partially)

92. In Hollywood (Reprints # 7)

93. Visits Paris (New)

94. Jackpot (New)

95. That’s Our Boy (New)

95. Summer Games (new

97. Comicapers (New)

98. Mr. Wilson and His Gang at Christmas (Reprints # 74)

99. Fiesta (new)

99. Christmas Special (New?)

100. Up in the Air (New)

101. Rise & Shine

102. And His I-Wish-I-Was Book (Reprints # 63)

103. Short Stuff Special (New)

104. In Mexico (Reprints # 8)

105. Birthday Special (New)

106. Fast & Funny (New)

107. Around the Clock (Reprints # 44)

108. Goes to Camp (Reprints # 9)

109. Gags & Games (Reprints # 66)

110. Mr. Wilson and His Gang at Christmas (Reprints # 74)

The two "no numbers" issues were published by Standard Comics, # 2 thru # 6 ("Hawaii") were published by Pines. The remainder by Hallden/Fawcett. The title changes from Dennis the Menace Giants to Dennis the Menace Bonis Magazine with issue # 75. The last square bound issue is # 57.

Okay, I'm doing some collating on the Dennis Giants. I have the information in an Excel spreadsheet and I'm transposing it into a Word document, which will be much easier to cut and paste here. May take a couple of days.

CBG - Yes, I do feel "Dennis in Hawaii" may be the best -selling comic of all-time. First of all, it came out when comics were still selling close to a million copies a month. One of the circulation figures printed in the regular Dennis comic at that time pegged the paid circulation at over 900,000 copies per month (average).

I think "Dennis in Hawaii" proved so popular that Pines went back and did a second printing that first summer it was released (1959). That would account for the "3rd Printing" header on the edition that was released in the Sumer of 1959. It was reprinted again in the summers of 1960 and 1962. Each of those reprints were still carrying the # 6 designation on the front cover. So that's four or five printings right there. Then the book was reprinted again at least three more times during the first 110 issues of the Dennis Giant/Bonus series (# 18, # 30, # 68). Each of those reprinting carried a different number, but it was essentialy the same book (although some of the later editions must be less than the original's 100 pages). I don't think you can think of a single issue of another comic, published all by itself that could ever have racked up the sales of that one book.

And the first printing of "Dennis in California" was Dennis Giant # 33.

More later...