Thursday 23 October 2008

Disturbing Dennis

A nice find in Hackney Oxfam today, A 1959 Dennis The Menace annual in reasonable shape for 59p. It's full of the usual pranks and slipperings, but features a back cover which disturbed me slightly...

Click for a larger image

Like every other British kid, I read The Beano and became desensitised to Dennis's frequent beatings, but this one? I don't know, it's all a bit sus.

Leaving aside the angle of Dennis' arse or the fact that he's pointing to a "Handle With Care" sign, there's also something a bit dodgy about the way Dennis' dad is rolling up that sleeve, it's almost like he's about to flex his biceps for the men in the background. His expression is, well, let's just say he's focused on that arse and he doesn't look like he plans on holding back, a fact that clearly meets with the approval of those onlookers. Take a look at their faces, the chimney sweep's fucking loving it! And what's with the identical folded arms, splayed feet, clamped shut legs and ramrod straight postures?

No wonder Dennis looks so scared. Those are some creepy, sadistic looking bastards his dad has invited round to watch him take a hiding.

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