The Beano transformed with new characters in bid to be more representative of modern world

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Beano has undergone a transformation in the hope of being more representative of modern Britain. The consultancy firm who helped re-write Roald Dahl books to remove offensive material, Inclusive Minds, have been involved in the transformation of the Scots comic which celebrates its 85th birthday this year.New characters introduced to one of Dundee-based publisher DC Thomson’s most well known titles are vetted by digital focus groups of children.One of the comic’s longest running strips, The Bash Street Kids, have welcomed five new classmates: Harsha, Mandi, Khadija, Mahira and Stevie Starr, promoting more diversity among the characters.Characters formerly named Fatty and Spotty have been renamed Freddy and Scotty to ensure young people who have freckles, weight problems or acne are not taunted by their peers.The comic’s creative director, Mike Stirling, said The Beano was not afraid of being branded “woke” as a result of the changes.

He told The Sunday Times: “We have never seen that as a pejorative term.“It’s awareness and being awake to things. What would be easy to do would be to sleepwalk and keep The Beano the way it had always been done for ever.“When we make a new character, (Inclusive Minds) connect us with an ambassador who advises us.

That allows us to get the details right in terms of clothes they are wearing and cultural celebrations their family might get involved in.”Parents and teachers have also been given a makeover, from past depictions as strict disciplinarians, to nurturing figures who help children with their problems.In 2018, The Beano poked fun at Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg by sending him a “cease and desist” letter after a young reader pointed out his resemblance to character Lord