This week's issue

[Peter Gray]

Made me smile seeing the chimps tea party...it was like seeing another era...

[Peter Gray]

Nice to see more seaside/holiday themes this issue...almost a summer special..

The studio for the One show didn't look right to me..not bright colours..unless on Friday with Chris Evans it will be more subdued..

[Digifiend]

Notice the anonymous female presenter, who we only see the legs of. They didn't know Alex's identity at the time I guess. And I think (judging by other forums) everyone was expecting a new set and graphics, which didn't materialize. They were advertising The One Show as new look. New presenters doesn't mean new look in my book. Basically, Ken didn't know what the set would look like at all.

Why are Bash Street stories still set in school in August?

And is Roger's pet pig a permanent addition or a one shot gag?

[AndyB]

Bash Street, being out the back of the Beano Office, is only just back to school now. Scottish holidays, don't you know?

(I think they gave up doing holiday strips for the kids years ago)

[Digifiend]

I know the Scottish kids go back earlier than in England - but my question about why they're in school during the summer holidays still stands. You're quite right that this is nothing new. But the type of storylines formerly used in the Summer Special, would've been perfect for the six weeks summer break, especially with the summer fun theme the Beano has going this year.

[Classic Comics]

Notice the anonymous female presenter, who we only see the legs of. They didn't know Alex's identity at the time I guess. And I think (judging by other forums) everyone was expecting a new set and graphics, which didn't materialize. They were advertising The One Show as new look. New presenters doesn't mean new look in my book. Basically, Ken didn't know what the set would look like at all.

When the script was written Christine Bleakley hadn't officially left the show. She was still in mid-swither about whether to stay at the Beeb or jump to ITV but it looked probable that she might be on her way from The One Show, so I made a gag out of the female co-presenter being removed by Minnie so we didn't have to give her name or show her face. As for the look of the set, you're right - we had no idea what the set would look like. But I think Ken's interpretation is perfectly fine and works for the story.

[Jay]

I noticed in the Les Pretend strip that the workers of the Dandy Joke Factory were 'red with embarrassment'. Was this some friendly in-house rivally and did it often spill over into the comics?

[Digifiend]

Yes, it's friendly in-house rivalry as you say, and it happens so often they once released a video game, Beanotown Racing, based on that rivalry.

[Digifiend]

No Roger this week. It was displaced by an extra 4-page Bash Street story, "Danny in Spy Story".

The Minnie fame arc ended differently to my prediction... she ended up on Crimewatch! I thought it would be a simple realisation that she's famous for being in The Beano!

[AndyB]

I think that if you were to ask Classic Comics, he might point out that the whole idea is to keep the readers guessing

[Digifiend]

Hey, I wasn't complaining!

[BeanoMark]

I think 'Classic Comics' is too busy eating cakes marking 25yrs at the firm. Congrats, Iain!

[Classic Comics]

I think 'Classic Comics' is too busy eating cakes marking 25yrs at the firm. Congrats, Iain!

Aw, thankee... was it a quarter of a century ago that a slim, fresh-faced youth wandered nervously through the front door, wondering that working on a comic would be like? Well, actually, I was never that slim and I wasn't all that fresh-faced either, to be honest... There's three of us in the office mark 25 years with the company this year... still as youthful as the days we started...

[kevf]

Forgive me if this has been answered already, but are the Mike Pearse Three Bears strips reprints that have been recoloured, or are they new?

Kev F

[Jonny Whizz]

They're reprints. I've seen some of the strips before in older issues (from 2001).