Bananaman relaunch: Beano greenlights origin graphic novel for 2027

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The Beano’s publishing partner Farshore has extended its deal with Beano Studios through 2028 and announced a refreshed slate of books that will bring classic characters to new audiences — including a reimagined origin for Bananaman and a series of new graphic novels timed around Dennis the Menace‘s 75th anniversary. The move aims to modernize beloved strips for today’s children while positioning the properties for international attention, including the US market.

Farshore and Beano signed world English-language publishing rights in the renewed agreement, confirmed by Zoe Masters, Farshore’s Publisher for Brands and Licensing, and Rob Glenny, Beano’s Executive Director of Growth. The partnership will steer the comic’s fiction output through a redesigned line focused on Dennis-led titles and fresh graphic novel series arriving in 2027.

What’s coming and when

Farshore is using the milestone anniversary in 2026 as a launch point. The publisher has already released a Dennis-themed novel this month and plans a joke book next. Two new graphic novel runs will follow next year, developed to reach bookstores and convention floors alike.

2026 — Dennis the Menace turns 75; new fiction titles celebrating the anniversary are being published.

March 2027 — A new Dennis and Gnasher graphic novel series begins.

July 2027 — A revamped Bananaman graphic novel series debuts, timed ahead of San Diego Comic‑Con.

The Dennis projects are written by members of The Beano’s in‑house team, while Ned Hartley will script the updated Bananaman origin with art by Wayne Thompson. Farshore has signalled it will also seek US readership for these new editions.

A refreshed Bananaman for a new era

The new Bananaman book will retell the character’s beginnings rather than simply reprinting classic strips. First created by John Geering for the comic Nutty in 1980 and later appearing in The Dandy and The Beano, the character — schoolboy Eric Wimp who becomes a larger‑than‑life hero after eating a banana — has long mixed superhero parody with broad British slapstick.

On television, the eighties animated series helped popularise the character beyond the UK. The show’s writers and voice cast, including Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie and Tim Brooke‑Taylor, brought Bananaman into homes across Britain and into the US market via Nickelodeon, often packaged alongside other British imports.

Ned Hartley’s recent work has played with comic-book conventions, sending up both classic and modern superhero storytelling. The new origin is expected to blend that self-aware approach with more contemporary visuals from Thompson — and some industry observers are already speculating about deluxe or collected editions aimed at older fans.

Why this matters now

Renewing the publishing deal secures a steady flow of Beano-branded books at a moment when legacy children’s brands are being repackaged for digital‑native readers and global retail. The timing around Dennis’s 75th year gives Farshore a marketing anchor that could drive sales in bookstores, schools and at events such as comic conventions.

For parents and libraries, the new editions offer refreshed entry points for familiar characters; for the publisher and Beano Studios, they represent an effort to grow readership beyond the UK and to adapt decades‑old properties for contemporary tastes without losing their irreverent spirit.

Key contributors and roles

Farshore — Publisher handling world English-language rights and distribution.

Beano Studios — IP owner and creative partner on new fiction and graphic novels.

Craig Graham and Mike Stirling — Lead writers on the revamped Dennis fiction line.

Ned Hartley — Assigned to write the new Bananaman origin.

Wayne Thompson — Illustrator for the Bananaman graphic novel series.

Zoe Masters described the renewal as an opportunity to “encourage children to read through entertaining, laugh‑led stories,” while Rob Glenny said the deal expands Beano’s book range and brings fresh creative directions for its characters. Both framed the partnership as a long‑term play to develop must‑have titles for retail and to grow the audience internationally.

Expect further details on formats, target age ranges and international roll‑out as Farshore and Beano reveal cover art and pre‑order information ahead of the 2027 releases.