David Sutherland dead – Beano illustrator dies as heartfelt tributes to ‘genuine legend’ pour in
THE artist behind the Beano’s iconic comic strip the Bash Street Kids David Sutherland has died aged 89.
David spent more than 60 years with the kids’ comic and started illustrating the Bash Street Kids in 1962.
He was described as the “single most important illustrator in Beano history” by the editor of the long-running comic.
David was given an OBE for services to illustration in the New Year Honours’ List.
He joined the Beano having entered a DC Thomson art competition and was also responsible for drawing Biffo the Bear and Dennis the Menace, over his extensive career.
DC Thomson first published the comic in 1938.
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In an official statement from Beano, it thanked David for “so many lols, laughs, giggles and guffaws over the years”.
David described the Bash Street Kids as being like a “second family”.
Speaking after his OBE was announced in December, he said: "When I entered the DC Thomson art competition more than 60 years ago, I couldn't have guessed where it might lead.
"I've been so lucky to be able to do something I love for a living, and work with so many talented writers whose words have helped bring these characters to life."
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His wife Margaret said: “David only put his pen down last month when he took ill. Drawing was his life; it made us forget the age he was.
“He was getting older but we never noticed it. He just kept going and the editors remained happy with his work.”
The Beano’s editor John Anderson said David’s contribution to the comic and to British comic history would never be matched.
He said: "No one will ever repeat what David achieved over 60 years. He was one of a kind, a genuine legend. It is the end of an era.
"Given that David started working in 1959 and had been drawing The Bash Street Kids since 1962, he is the single most important illustrator in Beano history."
Christopher Thomson, Chairman of DC Thomson, said: “David was a tremendously talented artist and creative and we are immensely grateful for the outstanding contribution he made over the last 60 years.
“He brought joy to our beloved audiences – children and adults alike – and to those who were fortunate enough to work alongside him. He will be much missed and his legacy will undoubtedly have a lasting impact for many years to come.”
Nigel Parkinson, the current Dennis and Gnasher illustrator, said: "The nation and its children and grandchildren and great grandchildren have all loved David Sutherland's joyous, happy, teeming-with-life, hilarious drawings nearly every single week in Beano for 60 years, he has touched the heart, tickled the funny bone and amused the eyes of millions."
David was born in Invergordon, Scotland, in 1933, the youngest of three children.
