Dennis the Menace (U.S. comics)

Dennis Roger Mitchell is a -faced 5-year-old^[9] boy with a troublesome but soft-hearted and helpful personality. His long-suffering parents, Henry and Alice Mitchell, can only shake their heads and try to explain their son's antics to others, yet they very much love and care for him. The comic efficacy of Dennis's personality lies within how his genuine attempts to help those in need, combined with his youthful energy and enthusiasm, frequently lead to trouble wherever he goes (usually at Mr. Wilson's expense). He wears a black T-shirt with blue stripes red overalls and white sneakers. He hates carrots and baths, loves root beer (especially with cookies or brownies), ketchup, sandwiches, water pistols, playing with other boys his age, mud puddles, camping, and Westerns (especially those starring Cowboy Bob, the comic's take on the Lone Ranger), and has occasionally been depicted wearing a cowboy costume.^[10] Dennis has a Cowboy Bob Deputy Badge,^[11] poster, and an autographed picture of Cowboy Bob, as well. Among the running gags: Dennis has a soft spot for animals such as kittens and puppies, which he is always taking home to feed; he loves loud instruments, such as horns and drums, and he ruins Christmas songs with shouts of cowboy songs or annoys adults by shouting out loud.^[12] When Dennis is in the local department store trying out toys, such as tricycles, he often ends up breaking them and making his parents buy them. In fact, Dennis nearly causes portrait photographers, hairdressers,^[13] bank presidents,^[14] grocery-store personnel,^[15] kindergarten teachers,^[16][17] restaurant waiters, librarians,^[18] museum security guards, police officers, bus drivers,^[19] house heating equipment repairmen,^[20] town mayor,^[12] department-store Christmas Santa Clauses and saleswomen, drug store salesmen, hardware store salesmen, shoe salesmen, barbers,^[21] and the local post office workers^[22] to have nervous breakdowns when he comes around.^[23] A running gag is that Dennis causes chaos wherever he visits, such as the city park,^[24] a Marineland Aquarium,^[25] the US Army,^[26] and even on vacation trips to Mexico^[27] and Hollywood.^[28] Despite all this, he is a "popular kid" with his peers, having countless friends both at his school and around the neighborhood, who are taken with his very fun-loving demeanor. Dennis also believes in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Another running gag is Dennis dreaming that he meets Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and causing chaos for everyone else.^[22]

freckle

Henry Mitchell, age 32, is Dennis' father, an aeronautical engineer.^[30] Henry seems to understand Dennis more than his wife does, especially in affairs of the heart. One example was when a furious Dennis stormed in, saying, "Woman can say some of the stupidest things!" Henry knowingly said to Alice, "Margaret." Another time, while Dennis was watching Gina, he confided to his dad, "There's somethin' about Gina that I can't figure out." Henry wisely advised his son, "Wait." Again, Henry and Alice overhear Dennis tell Gina that she "smelled better than a plateful of peanut butter sandwiches." Henry remarks, "The ultimate compliment." Like his creator Hank Ketcham, Henry served in the United States Navy; starting position as a quartermaster (helmsman) second class on a US Navy ship,^[31] he ended up on an aircraft carrier^[32] and rose to the rank of chief petty officer. Among his hobbies are playing card games such as poker,^[33] bird watching,^[34] and playing the ukulele and singing old songs. A running gag is that Henry often plays the straight man dupe—either resulting from Dennis's "helpfulness," or because of his foolishness; once, he tried to save money on a Christmas tree by cutting one down in the country—and ended up paying $20.00 ($10.00 for a fine and $10.00 for the owner charging him for the tree).^[35]

[29]

Alice Mitchell, née Aberdeen is Dennis' , who is usually the reassuring figure to whom Dennis can run when things get too overwhelming, ready to greet him with a warm hug. Although she grew up among animals on a chicken ranch, a running gag is that Alice is Ophidiophobic. (She also dislikes mice and white rats, implying she is musiphobic as well.)^[36] She is the president of a local bridge club.^[37] Another running gag involves Dennis's ever-changing parade of new babysitters;^[38] no one will take the job twice, much to Alice's annoyance.^[39][40][41] Alice is the disciplinarian in the Mitchell household; for example, she punishes Dennis for his misbehavior by having him sit in the corner in a rocking chair for timeout.^[42][43][44]

stay-at-home mother

Ruff Mitchell is Dennis's pet (a Newfoundland mix) and best friend. He is always eagerly following him around, accompanying him while Dennis is running, or riding his bike or skateboard. Another running gag is that although Ruff chases cats, he is afraid of them.^[45]

dog

Hot Dog is Dennis's rarely seen , which usually commiserates with him while he sits in the corner and reflects on his wrongdoings. Dennis gave the cat its name after the cat ate a package of hot dogs.^[46]

cat

Barney is another cat of the Mitchells.

Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell

[47]

Grampa (Arnold "Swede" Aberdeen) is Alice's father, who spoils Dennis often. He evokes the unintentional jealousy of Mr. Wilson, for he gets to see Dennis occasionally, but Mr. Wilson sees him all the time. Because they are so much alike, Dennis and Grampa Johnson get along well. Mr. Wilson and Grampa have different perspectives on life and how to live it. While Mr. Wilson believes in acting one's age, Grampa encourages Dennis to enjoy life to the fullest. His wife's status is unknown; she is never seen in the comics, although she is mentioned four times—twice when, thanks to Dennis, Alice finds out Henry destroyed his Christmas gift (a tie) from his mother-in-law; another time a furious Alice finds out that Henry had thrown his mother-in-law's gift (a tie) into the trash.^[49] Another time, Alice wished her mother a Happy Mother's Day by telephone.^[49] Grandpa mentions his wife to Dennis but not her status

[48]

Uncle Fred and Aunt Mollie

[50]

Uncle Richard and Aunt Ginny

[51]

Uncle John lives in . The Mitchells visited him once for a vacation.^[49]

Florida

Uncle Al lives in and works in the "oil business." He runs a small oil and gas station.^[52]

Texas

Uncle Charlie

[13]

Uncle Ernie and Aunt Blanche

Aunt Betty

[49]

Aunt Hetty

[49]

Aunt Sue

[49]

January: The Dennis the Menace Fun Fest #16

February: The Dennis the Menace Big Bonus #10

March: The Dennis the Menace Fun Fest #17

April: The Dennis the Menace Big Bonus #11

(2017). Pocket Full of Dennis the Menace. BearManor Media. ISBN 9781629331188.

Arnold, Mark

Official website

Dennis the Menace at King Features

List and short bios of the strip's characters

NCS Awards