Mr Bean to step into the world of Dennis the Menace and more in Beano crossover

The beloved comedy character Mr Bean will step into the world of Dennis the Menace, Bash Street Kids and Minnie the Minx for a special crossover with the comic magazine Beano.

The suit-and-red-tie-wearing character, made famous by comedian Rowan Atkinson, will take over the children’s magazine as guest editor for a four-issue collaboration.

For the opening issue, Mr Bean will make some editorial changes of his own, including promoting his brown knitted bear, Teddy, to ”Teditor” – while Beano will be renamed Mr Beano for the first time in the comic’s history.

Across the remaining three issues, Mr Bean will find himself accidentally working at Bash Street School, while his cat Scrapper will meet dogs Gnasher and Gnipper, bringing another part of Mr Bean’s world face-to-face with the characters from Beanotown.

Atkinson said: “I grew up reading Beano and always adored its anarchic style and tone – and as I regard Mr Bean as a natural born anarchist and a child at heart, I’m surprised it’s taken us so long to explore a creative tie-up and finally exploit the Bean/Beano name connection.

“It’s time has come.”

The eccentric character was first introduced to audiences in the eponymously named 90s TV series, gaining acclaim for his physical comedy and slapstick humour.

It has since been adapted for film – 1997’s Bean and 2007’s Mr Bean’s Holiday – as well as the ITV cartoon, Mr Bean: The Animated Series.

Mike Stirling, director at Beano, said: “Kids voted Rowan one of their top three Mischief Makers earlier this year, so Mr Bean was always going to fit right into Beanotown.

“He and Beano share the superpowers of creativity, imagination and finding the funny in everyday life. Giving him the Editor’s pencil was probably a terrible idea, but a very funny one – as everyone will see.”

Tom Beattie, managing director at the production company behind the Mr Bean animated series, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, added: “Having been a Beano Fan Club member as a kid, it’s a dream come true to work on this collaboration – it feels like the perfect partnership between two comedy greats.

“Mr Bean has fitted perfectly into Beanotown, and the Beano team has been a pleasure to work with and welcomed the whole proposal with open arms.”

The collaboration is part of Beano’s Year of Mischief, marking the 75th anniversary of Dennis the Menace, who first appeared in the comic on March 17, 1951.

Beano was first published in 1938 and is still created every week in its original Dundee headquarters and printed in the UK.

The first issue in the four-part Mr Bean x Beano comic serialisation will be available in supermarkets, newsagents and online from September 16.