All comic strip collectors know that the Dennis the Menace comic series was not drawn or written by Hank Ketcham. The first issue was done by his friend Al Wiseman and written by Fred Toole. Later, both men would be followed by other assistants, but together they shaped the look of Dennis in the minds of many younger readers. They also were the first to get the tyke involved in longer stories and developed the side characters, like neighbour Mr. Wilson. He also figures a lot in the Sunday version, but those were not made by Ketcham either. Or at least, the ones we know best. I have always had my doubts about the first year of Sundays. Some Dennis fans assure me that Wiseman was reponsible for those as well, from the start. But other sources say he did not quit his day job in advertising before the comic book became an overnight hit in 1953. Anyway, the first year of Sundays do not feature Mr. Wilson as prominently and focus mainly on Dennis and his parents. Furthermore they do not read as well developed stories or gags, but as a series as cartoons. Because I did not grow up in the US and have no sentimental attachment to any version, I think this first year is the best. It has all of the stylistic mastery of the daily panel and just focusses on the same subject as the panel, the terrible things that rotten kid does. In fact, it's just like reading more of the daily cartoon.
Showing posts with label Dennis the Menace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dennis the Menace. Show all posts
Monday, January 01, 2018
The Pest That Lasted
Monday Cartoon Day.
All comic strip collectors know that the Dennis the Menace comic series was not drawn or written by Hank Ketcham. The first issue was done by his friend Al Wiseman and written by Fred Toole. Later, both men would be followed by other assistants, but together they shaped the look of Dennis in the minds of many younger readers. They also were the first to get the tyke involved in longer stories and developed the side characters, like neighbour Mr. Wilson. He also figures a lot in the Sunday version, but those were not made by Ketcham either. Or at least, the ones we know best. I have always had my doubts about the first year of Sundays. Some Dennis fans assure me that Wiseman was reponsible for those as well, from the start. But other sources say he did not quit his day job in advertising before the comic book became an overnight hit in 1953. Anyway, the first year of Sundays do not feature Mr. Wilson as prominently and focus mainly on Dennis and his parents. Furthermore they do not read as well developed stories or gags, but as a series as cartoons. Because I did not grow up in the US and have no sentimental attachment to any version, I think this first year is the best. It has all of the stylistic mastery of the daily panel and just focusses on the same subject as the panel, the terrible things that rotten kid does. In fact, it's just like reading more of the daily cartoon.
All comic strip collectors know that the Dennis the Menace comic series was not drawn or written by Hank Ketcham. The first issue was done by his friend Al Wiseman and written by Fred Toole. Later, both men would be followed by other assistants, but together they shaped the look of Dennis in the minds of many younger readers. They also were the first to get the tyke involved in longer stories and developed the side characters, like neighbour Mr. Wilson. He also figures a lot in the Sunday version, but those were not made by Ketcham either. Or at least, the ones we know best. I have always had my doubts about the first year of Sundays. Some Dennis fans assure me that Wiseman was reponsible for those as well, from the start. But other sources say he did not quit his day job in advertising before the comic book became an overnight hit in 1953. Anyway, the first year of Sundays do not feature Mr. Wilson as prominently and focus mainly on Dennis and his parents. Furthermore they do not read as well developed stories or gags, but as a series as cartoons. Because I did not grow up in the US and have no sentimental attachment to any version, I think this first year is the best. It has all of the stylistic mastery of the daily panel and just focusses on the same subject as the panel, the terrible things that rotten kid does. In fact, it's just like reading more of the daily cartoon.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Everything But the Sink
Wednesday Advertising Day.
Two miscellaneous bit of Ketchamalia - a newspaper article from 1951 and an ad from 1973 (which he probably did not draw himself).
Two miscellaneous bit of Ketchamalia - a newspaper article from 1951 and an ad from 1973 (which he probably did not draw himself).
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Gag-A-Minute
Tuesday Comic Strip Day.
A nice early run of the Dennis the menace Sunday, when it was less story- and more gag-based.
A nice early run of the Dennis the menace Sunday, when it was less story- and more gag-based.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Dennis The Partnership
Tuesday Comic Strip Day.
It is widely known that cartoonist Al wiseman joined Hank Ketcham on the Denis the Menace from very early on. Their syles were alrady similar and it apparently took Wiseman very little time to adjust to Ketcham's radical inking style. Still, if you look at the number of redo's and overlays he produced for his succesor when he finally left the panel years later, it is hard to imagine him not helping his friend out in any way at leats in the first perio. The Sunday page started in 1952 and here are a few sampled. The style here closely resembles that of the daily panel at that time.
It is widely known that cartoonist Al wiseman joined Hank Ketcham on the Denis the Menace from very early on. Their syles were alrady similar and it apparently took Wiseman very little time to adjust to Ketcham's radical inking style. Still, if you look at the number of redo's and overlays he produced for his succesor when he finally left the panel years later, it is hard to imagine him not helping his friend out in any way at leats in the first perio. The Sunday page started in 1952 and here are a few sampled. The style here closely resembles that of the daily panel at that time.
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About Me
- Ger Apeldoorn
- I am a Dutch television writer, who has written about comics and television for a number of publications here in Holland and in the US. I love hearing from (forgotten) artists and/or their relatives, so if you are one of those and happen upon this blog, please leave a note.