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Book Review: Pocket Full of Dennis the Menace


Author Mark Arnold’s book on Dennis the Menace, from Bear Manor Media, is a thorough and informative history from the very first ideas thru the comic strips, comic books, TV shows, cartoons, and movies.

Cartoonist Hank Ketcham’s early comic work is discussed and the creative process that leads him to the creation of Dennis the Menace offers great insight in this book’s initial chapters. There is even some material on the British version of Dennis the Menace- a completely different character that caused the Ketcham one to be retitled in that country.

The author takes us through the comic panel, the Sunday newspaper comic strip, the comic books, the eventual popularity that extended overseas, and then to the TV series. Throughout each of these chapters, we are offered complete details as to how it came to fruition, from the creative aspect as well as the marketing perspective. For those of us who preferred funny comic books to the more adventurous super hero ones, the Dennis the Menace series was a consistent favorite. Mark Arnold provides us with information on the different writers and artists involved with Ketcham’s creation, and how the original creator oversaw each aspect. The television series continues on in reruns on the classic TV stations, and the chapter covering this area of the Dennis franchise is most fascinating. The author draws from extensive interviews with Jay North (Dennis), Gloria Henry (his mom, Alice), and Jeannie Russell (his nemesis Margaret), with their varied memories of the experience.

The book continues with various changes that took place over the next several years, including some areas of controversy, and examines the marketing approaches that extended beyond comics and TV (including the notable use of the character in the Dairy Queen organization’s advertisements). It concludes with Ketcham’s retirement, eventual passing, and ideas for the character’s future, as it continues to this day.

In short, this book has everything that a person with an interest in the comics could possible want. It is filled with insight, personal recollections, historical significance, cultural impact, and many many photos and graphics that carefully illustrate each of its informative chapters. It is a necessity for libraries and research centers. It is most assuredly recommended for comic book fans, especially those with a particular interest in this character.

“Pocket Full of Dennis The Menace” is one of the best books written on a comic franchise’s history. It is available for purchase here.

James L. Neibaur
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