Beano's Bash Street Kids artist David Sutherland dies

The creator down the Beano's Bash Street Kids comic portion has died.

David Sutherland was described arsenic the "single astir important illustrator successful Beano history" by the exertion of the children's comic.

Mr Sutherland, who lived successful Invergordon successful the Highlands, spent much than 60 years with Beano and began illustrating the Bash Street Kids successful 1962.

Mr Sutherland, who joined the Beano aft entering a DC Thomson creation competition, besides drew Biffo the Bear and Dennis the Menace during his agelong career.

Dundee-based DC Thomson has been publishing the comic since its archetypal contented successful 1938.

Announcing his decease connected Thursday an authoritative connection from Beano acknowledgment the illustrator for "so galore lols, laughs, giggles and guffaws implicit the years".

After his OBE was announced successful December Mr Sutherland said: "When I entered the DC Thomson creation contention much than 60 years ago, I couldn't person guessed wherever it mightiness lead.

"I've been truthful fortunate to beryllium capable to bash thing I emotion for a living, and enactment with truthful galore talented writers whose words person helped bring these characters to life."

Editor John Anderson said Mr Sutherland's publication to the comic and British comic past would ne'er beryllium matched.

"No 1 volition ever repetition what David achieved implicit 60 years. He was 1 of a kind, a genuine legend. It is the extremity of an era," helium said.

"Given that David started moving successful 1959 and had been drafting The Bash Street Kids since 1962, helium is the azygous astir important illustrator successful Beano history."

Nigel Parkinson, existent Dennis and Gnasher illustrator, said: "The federation and its children and grandchildren and large grandchildren person each loved David Sutherland's joyous, happy, teeming-with-life, hilarious drawings astir each azygous week successful Beano for 60 years, helium has touched the heart, tickled the comic bony and amused the eyes of millions."