Beau Peep is a comic strip published in the British newspaper The Daily Star, written by Roger Kettle and drawn by Andrew Christine. It was first published on 2 November 1978. It features the eponymous lead character, Beau Peep, a French foreign legionnaire in North Africa.
Characters
Beau Peep - the main character. Joined the legion to escape from Doris. He is a short, bespectacled man. According to his file, he is an "utterly brainless idiot" although he is considerably smarter than his best friend Dennis. Beau is nowhere near as brave as Dennis. Beau is often annoyed by Dennis' stupidity, although he has a great deal of patience for him. When he was young, Beau wanted to be a concert pianist, or a great conductor.
Dennis Pratt - Dennis is the extremely slow-witted best friend of Beau. Dennis is slow- witted, vulgar, and a bit of a womanizer, although he is actually one of the comic's most likeable characters. He enjoys doing magic tricks, which he is famously bad at. He has a brother named Hector and a sister called Mavis, which is also the name of his first girlfriend. Apparently he does not like Easter eggs. Dennis is rather brave, but this is down to his stupidity rather than nerve. Dennis likes to be read stories before bed, and is apparently aware of his own stupidity. He wishes to be smart like Beau.
Doris - Doris is never actually seen in the comics, although she is described as very ugly. Apparently she has many chins, a large frame, an ape-like stance, and short legs. Her knuckles drag on the floor when she walks. She is madly in love with Beau, and follows him everywhere. She can be aggressive, as she threatens to punch the Nomad many times.
The Nomad - The Nomad was banished from his tribe, until he can find the head of an enemy warrior. The Nomad is fond of singing and dancing, and loves sweets. The Nomad occasionally tries to take over the fort, often failing for stupid reasons, such as forgetting his ladder, or forgetting that there is only one of him. He still believes that the Earth is flat. He also has the nickname "Bobby Brains, the desert whizz kid".
Sergeant Bidet - Described as having a quality that no one else in the comic has - sanity. He often sends Beau out on dangerous missions, which usually causes Beau to break down in tears.
Egon the chef - The fort's unclean, unhygienic chef who appears to be an alcoholic. He loves the drinks sherry and vodka. He also has a bad temper, once holding Beau over the wall of the fort by the ankles because he made a joke about Egon's cooking.
Pierre - The fort's resident bully. Interests include smacking Beau in the mouth, and cracking his knuckles. Seems to leave Dennis alone. Beau has come to a compromise with Pierre at times- but this doesn't last long before Beau's face comes back into contact with Pierre's fist.
The Colonel - The commanding officer of Beau's fort. He is totally unsuitable for the job as he is insane, often ordering Beau to perform ridiculously stupid tasks. Is receiving psychiatric help, but as he is oblivious to his insanity (and because he is the CO) he chooses to ignore it.
If I leave this town, I'll go out horizontal!' - tensions explode in Carrizal when a former soldier seeks work at the Cattle Agency, only to face the iron grip of Mac Cain over the town's employment.
A classic Western confrontation from Wes Slade, illustrated in bold black and white by Harry Bishop, originally featured in the Sunday Express.
Diamond Lil is a feisty 75-year-old widow living in Turkey Knuckle, Indiana, who doesn't suffer fools, or anyone else for that matter, gladly. Her interests include telling people what she really thinks, hot bingo and cold Schlitz. She also has a thing for Pat Sajak's butt.
Ralph Hagen launched The Barn in 2008. It follows the daily adventures and mishaps of a curious sheep named Rory and a sarcastic bull named Stan. The storylines mimic the everyday experiences of their human keepers.
Set on a farm, next door to a veterinary clinic, Stan and Rory usually spend time with the owner and vet, Brenda.
Ralph’s work has appeared in outlets such as Reader’s Digest, Saturday Evening Post and Woman's World. He dedicates The Barn to his biggest fan, his father.
"The longest running daily cartoon strip by a single author is "Bristow" by Frank Dickens (UK) which has been in continuous publication since first published in the Aberdeen Press & Journal on 18th September 1961".
Guinness World Records TM
The greatest hero any world has ever known - from its surreal beginnings to its improbable middle.
A Temp, a Travel Agent and a Lawyer by day. Their free time is is taken rather less seriously!
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In the middle of the ocean there's a tiny island where the sun always shines and the waters are warm. These shores are home to the Fish Tales Crew!
Classic Western Action in Dodge City
Marshal Matt Dillon is the law in Dodge City, a rugged frontier town rife with danger and adventure.
Based on the iconic CBS TV series Gunsmoke, starring James Arness, Gun Law brings the Wild West to life with gripping tales of cattle rustling, gunfights, and frontier justice.Created by award-winning artist Harry Bishop, this daily comic strip ran in the Daily Express from 1957 to 1975, earning acclaim for its dynamic storytelling and authentic depictions of Western life.
Bishop’s artistry, influenced by legends like Norman Rockwell, captured the essence of the Old West and earned him multiple accolades, including the British Cartoonists Award in 1965 and Best Dramatic Strip Cartoonist in 1975.
Our favourite fables in strip cartoon format:
- The Ugly Duckling
- Little Mermaid
- The Emperor's New Clothes
...and many more tales
Everyone's favourite secret agent in vintage comic art.
Step into the world of 007 with the James Bond newspaper comic strips, first published in the Daily Express in 1958.
Adapted from Ian Fleming’s groundbreaking novels, which began with Casino Royale in 1953, these strips brought Bond’s thrilling adventures to life for a new audience. Illustrated by John McLusky and later other renowned artists, the series ran for 25 years, producing over 6,500 strips across 52 story arcs.
From Casino Royale to The Spy Who Loved Me, these comics faithfully adapt Fleming’s original stories, showcasing Bond’s iconic missions, villains, and charm. A cornerstone of British pop culture, these strips are perfect for syndication or reprint. Relive the legacy of James Bond through his original comic adventures!
Often regarded as one of the most important science fiction comics ever released.
Jeff Hawke: Groundbreaking Sci-Fi Comic Adventure
Explore the visionary world of Jeff Hawke, the science fiction comic strip that redefined storytelling in the Daily Express from 1955 to 1974. Created by Sydney Jordan, this strip delivered intelligent, sophisticated narratives with stunning black-and-white art.
A cult favourite in Europe, Jeff Hawke remains a celebrated gem of comic history. Discover the strip that pushed the boundaries of science fiction.
Step into the delightful world of The Gambols, the beloved British comic strip created by Barry Appleby.
First published in the Daily Express on March 16, 1950, the strip humorously chronicles the everyday lives of George and Gaye Gambol, a happily married suburban couple. Written with input from Appleby’s wife, Doris "Dobs" Appleby, the stories capture relatable moments, from Gaye’s shopping adventures to George’s DIY mishaps.
Running for nearly 50 years in the Daily Express before moving to the Mail on Sunday in 1999, The Gambols remains a timeless celebration of middle-class life and lighthearted humor. Perfect for fans of classic comics and nostalgic storytelling!
The joys and predicaments of parenting have spawned a stream of funny and poignant observations from the pen of Steven Appleby.
WuMo celebrates life's absurdity and bittersweet ironies, holding up a funhouse mirror to our modern world and those who live in it.
Facts and figures in strip cartoon format. Did you know that tomatoes were thought to be poisonous by the British until the last century?
Our digital puzzles are developed in HTML5, CSS and JavaScript and can be viewed across multiple devices (pc, tablet and smart phone) without requiring any plug-ins.
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Step into the golden age of comics with the Express Newspaper Comic Archive, a collection of some of the most beloved and influential comic strips ever published.
From the thrilling espionage of James Bond to the interstellar exploits of Jeff Hawke, the heartwarming humor of The Gambols, the gritty Western tales of Wes Slade, and the action-packed drama of Gun Law, this archive offers something for every comic enthusiast.