The Beano - Issue 3582

Well, it's that time again, the new comics are out and I'm writing a review on them! Fun stuff... ;)
Anyway, this week's Beano has a tie in with the return of Doctor Who so it seems from the front cover!

PG 1: Front Cover - Dennis and Gnasher fighting the Dal-eggs! - Barrie Appleby
PG 2: Contents
PG 3: Dennis and Gnasher - Barrie Appleby
PG 6: Meebo and Zuky - Laura Howell
PG 7: WIN! Beyblades
PG 8: The Numskulls - Barry Glennard
PG 10: Billy Whizz - Nick Brennan
PG 11: Advertisement: Beano Summer Annual
PG 12: Minnie the Minx - Ken Harrison
PG 14: Ball Boy - Dave Eastbury (with a wonderful grassy border around it!)
PG 15: Advertisement: Dolphins or something...
PG 16: The Bash Street Kids - David Sutherland
PG 18: Beano V.I.P.
PG 20: Game: Beat the Eggy-Invaders
PG 21: WIN! Moshi Monsters and Rips Ice
PG 22: Fred's Bed - Tom Paterson
PG 24: BFG (Britain's Funniest Gag)
PG 25: Beano Subscription Page
PG 26: Beano Retro: The Bash Street Kids - David Sutherland
PG 28: Roger the Dodger - Barrie Appleby WARNING! REPRINT ALERT! WARNING!
PG 30: Puzzle: Escape from the Empire Scrimp Building
PG 31: Next Time
PG 32: 60 Second Dennis - Nigel Parkinson

Okay, first, let's make it clear... Last week the Beano made a massive deal about Gnasher having a new strip called Gnasher's Bit(e), yet this week, it wasn't there. Now why should they make a big deal out of it and then not have it in the next issue. That's just stupid.

Anyway, not a bad issue but in my opinion way to many boring competitions, puzzles and adverts... Is this really what kids want to read? Throughout this whole issue, there are no stories that both feature on a double page... You have a one page story, then an advert or some other non-comic thing.

Once again, screw the roster. Because this week there's definitely not the whole lot there.

This week had no Ivy the Terrible, The 3 Bears, Calamity James, Super School, Ratz, Beano Manga or Lord Snooty the Third. To be honest, The 3 Bears and Calamity James haven't appeared in ages and Beano Manga has supposedly ended along with Ivy the Terrible.

Has anyone realised that since Issue 3578, all the front covers have some reference to either a celebrity, a TV show or an event? 3578 had Formula 1, 3579 had Wrestlemania, 3580 had Barack Obama, 3581 had Lego and now 3582 has Doctor Who. Why must they do this? Next week's will probably have some reference to the Royal Wedding. When will this end?!

Anyway... Time for the ratings....

RATINGS:

Dennis and Gnasher - 9.5/10
A brilliant piece by Barrie, some fantastic artwork and an entertaining read, I liked his Dal-eggs a lot, but the one thing that bugged me was this strip lacked menacing, he uses his catapult but as defence, not as attacking or menacing.
Meebo and Zuky - 10/10
The beginning made me laugh already with Meebo's German and the repeating in Panels 1 and 2 with a few changes. The strip on a whole was planned well. Some nice violent comedy here.
The Numskulls - 10/10
This is a lot better than previous week's. No stupid comments made at the end. A funny story. Some good facts and same good artwork. Let's hope the Numskulls carries on at this standard.
Billy Whizz - 10/10
Very funny, nice storyline here with some fantastic, cartoony artwork by Nick Brennan, however I felt the gnome should have been a cameo of the 80's strip Gordon Gnome. That would've been some nice hidden detail.
Minnie the Minx - 8/10
Urrrgh. Such a good storyline until the end. Why does Teacher feel the need to say that comment and why does it end so sweetly. Minnie's meant to be a minx not a child who helps out her class.
Ball Boy - 10/10
This strip was brilliant. I loved the artwork, I find Dave Eatsbury's artwork remarkable. Only one thing ruined this for me. Th old lady's comment at the end. Why was that needed?!
The Bash Street Kids - 10/10
Brilliant stuff, also nice seeing the swot back after a long absence. This strory has a classic feel to it, the artwork also feels classic.
Fred's Bed - 10/10
Funny stuff. Some beautiful artwork by Tom here. I loved the ending!
Roger the Dodger - 9/10
I hate reprints. I absolutely hate them. Why? Becaue I've already read them!! I love the checkered border, they should keep doing this, reprint or not...
60 Second Dennis - 9.5/10
I liked the ending however there was hardly any menacing. Still a brilliant story!

So overall, not bad, certainly not amazing either...
This issue is the Easter special. But hardly any of the strips were Easter related.
Dennis and Gnasher - Easter related
Meebo and Zuky - Not Easter related
Billy Whizz - Not Easter related
Minnie the Minx -Kind of Easter related...
Ball Boy - Not Easter related
The Bash Street Kids - Not Easter related
Fred's Bed - Not Easter related
Retro Beano - Easter related
Roger the Dodger - Not Easter related
60 Second Dennis - Not Easter related

Anyway. The Beano Easter Special is on sale now at £2.50. Buy it or something...