Beano Celebrates 85 Years as Report Reveals Increased Kids’ Comic Readership

Increasing numbers of children are reading comics digitally, according to digital magazine and newspaper app, Readly. It reports a 31% increase in its comic and kids’ category year-on-year. This comes as Beano, a title available on the Readly app, celebrates its 85th birthday.

Research shows that over a third (34%) of parents introduce comics to their children to spark interest in literacy, and one in 10 children said comics and fantasy magazines were their favorite read out of all literature choices. 

Furthermore, almost half (42%) of parents reported reading fantasy magazines or comics as a child, with 11% of adults still reading them today.

The report comes as Beano, the world’s longest-running comic, celebrates its 85th birthday. The comic’s commemorative issue has guest appearances from musicians, Adele, Stormzy and Harry Styles as well as depictions of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. TV personality, Sir David Attenborough, Formula One racing driver, Lewis Hamilton, and former England soccer player, Jill Scott also appear.

Readership Poll

The guests were picked after 3,000 children were polled to determine which celebrities they would like to see in cartoon form. Manchester United and England soccer player, Marcus Rashford, was voted the most inspirational celebrity, while children said they would invite TV duo, Ant & Dec, to their birthday party. The King can be seen wondering if he is the monarch in Beanotown, and the Queen informs him that children rule in the fictional town. The Prince and Princess of Wales also feature as well as singer, Dua Lipa.

“The Beano is one of the most loved comics, popular with children and adults alike,” says Chris Couchman, head, content, Readly. “We all love a little mischief in life to transport us into a world of fun, adventure and humor, and The Beano has depicted this perfectly for years. Our comic and kids’ category is gaining popularity as digital reading amongst kids increases across all forms, from books to magazines. Audiences can enjoy titles such as The Beano globally. With thousands of magazines in one app, Readly is a great app for families and a sustainable way to read too.”

Readly allows children to read all of Beano’s current and back issues alongside other children’s magazines and comics, such as National Geographic Kids, GoGirl, Viz, Animal Planet Kids, Minecraft Secrets & Cheats, Animals and You, anorak and Match! on its platform.

Almost a third of children (27%) read digital and physical formats equally, building a strong reading culture, with 41% reading on digital formats every day or several times a week.