63) Dennis the Menace…

Dennis the Menace by Hank Ketcham 6-4-1975

Another one of my favorite cartoonists is Hank Ketcham.

Hank Ketcham was an American cartoonist best known for creating the comic strip Dennis the Menace. Born on March 14, 1920, in Seattle, Washington, Ketcham developed an interest in drawing at a young age. After studying at the University of Washington, he moved to California to work as an animator for Walt Disney Productions. During World War II, Ketcham served in the U.S. Navy and created cartoons for the Navy’s aviation training unit.

Dennis the Menace was inspired by Ketcham’s own son, Dennis, who was a mischievous child. The comic strip debuted on March 12, 1951, and quickly gained popularity for its humorous portrayal of the everyday antics of a rambunctious five-year-old boy named Dennis Mitchell. Dennis’s well-meaning but troublesome behavior often caused headaches for his parents, particularly his father, Henry, and their neighbor, Mr. Wilson.

The success of the comic strip led to various adaptations, including a television series, animated shows, and a feature film. Ketcham continued to work on the strip until 1994 when he retired and handed over the duties to his assistants. Hank Ketcham passed away on June 1, 2001.

Here are pieces from my collection that demonstrate the skill of this great artist. Please excuse the ripple on the Sunday strips—those large Sunday strips are hard to scan.

If you have any questions or comments, please email me at themythfits@gmail.com.

Dennis the Menace by Hank Ketcham 6-28-1953

Dennis the Menace by Hank Ketcham 10-29-1972