Roger the Dodger
Encyclopedia
This is the article for The Beano comic strip, for other uses please see Roger the Dodger (Disambiguation)
Roger the Dodger is a fictional character
featured regularly in the UK
comic
The Beano
. His strip consists solely of Roger's basic remit to avoid doing chores and homework which usually involves him concoting complex and ultimately disastrous plans, the undoing of which results in him being punished (usually by his long-suffering father). To perform these tasks he enlists the help of his many 'dodge books'.
; he wears a black and red chequered jumper, black trousers and takes better care of his hair than his equally mischievous counterpart he also used to have a white tie but it has seemed to have disappeared. Originally drawn by Ken Reid, Gordon Bell
took over in 1959, but Roger dodged his way out of the Beano in 1960. He returned, drawn by Bob McGrath
, in April 1961. Ken Reid was re-commissioned to draw the strip in 1962, and Robert Nixon
when Reid left DC Thomson
in 1964. When Nixon left in 1973, Tom Lavery
began drawing the strip, who was then followed by Frank McDiarmid in 1976.
Ten years later, after Euan Kerr took over as Beano editor, Nixon returned, drawing in a noticeably different style than before. Roger's strip was given a second page in 1986. Between 1986 and 1992, a spin-off
strip appeared at the end called Roger the Dodger's Dodge Clinic. Readers would write in with problems, and Roger would try and find a dodge for it (which would usually go wrong). Winning suggestions would win a transistor radio
and special scroll. Roger is often shown in other Beano characters' stories offering "help", which he took to a new level in Beano issue 2648 from April 1993. This issue marked Roger's 40th birthday, and in order to celebrate he made appearances in every strip in the comic.
Nixon continued drawing it until his death in October 2002, though due to the strips being drawn months in advance, his strips continued appearing in the Beano until the end of January 2003 when artist, Barrie Appleby
took over. He drew the strip until 2011, when he stopped to concentrate on Dennis and Gnasher, though Trevor Metcalfe
drew a few strips in 2003 and 2004, and there have also been some Robert Nixon
reprints during 2005 and 2006. Since Appleby stopped drawing Roger, the comic has run reprints of Robert Nixon strips from the 1980s.
Roger is currently the second longest-running character in the Beano, behind only Dennis the Menace
. However if taken into account the strip's absence in 1960 then he would be the third longest-running behind Minnie the Minx.
with a white shirt collar poking out. He is also usually attired in a white tie, however, the Barrie Appleby dropped this around 2005. Upon his debut, Roger sported the usual school boy shorts, however he began wearing trousers during the 1970s.
Despite his laziness, Roger is clearly quite intelligent, as his dodging schemes are often complex (in many cases, more complicated than performing the task he is supposed to do) and he has been seen to even swindle the class swot from The Bash Street Kids
, Cuthbert Cringeworthy.
Roger the Dodger is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
featured regularly in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comic
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
The Beano
The Beano
The Beano is a British children's comic, published by D.C. Thomson & Co and is arguably their most successful.The comic first appeared on 30 July 1938, and was published weekly. During the Second World War,The Beano and The Dandy were published on alternating weeks because of paper and ink...
. His strip consists solely of Roger's basic remit to avoid doing chores and homework which usually involves him concoting complex and ultimately disastrous plans, the undoing of which results in him being punished (usually by his long-suffering father). To perform these tasks he enlists the help of his many 'dodge books'.
Character History
He first appeared in issue 561, dated 18 April 1953. His appearance is vaguely similar to that of Dennis the MenaceDennis the Menace (UK)
Dennis the Menace, later called Dennis the Menace and Gnasher and now Dennis and Gnasher, is a long-running comic strip in the British children's comic The Beano, published by D. C...
; he wears a black and red chequered jumper, black trousers and takes better care of his hair than his equally mischievous counterpart he also used to have a white tie but it has seemed to have disappeared. Originally drawn by Ken Reid, Gordon Bell
Gordon Bell (artist)
Gordon Bell is an artist who lives in the UK. From the 1960s onward he has worked extensively for D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd, publishers of The Beano and The Dandy comics . His sketchy, breezy cartoon style places the emphasis firmly on the foreground characters, with the backgrounds often consisting...
took over in 1959, but Roger dodged his way out of the Beano in 1960. He returned, drawn by Bob McGrath
Bob McGrath
Robert Emmet "Bob" McGrath is an American singer and actor best known for playing the human character Bob on Sesame Street. He was born in Ottawa, Illinois. McGrath was named for Irish patriot Robert Emmet....
, in April 1961. Ken Reid was re-commissioned to draw the strip in 1962, and Robert Nixon
Robert Nixon (artist)
Robert Nixon was an artist who worked on several British comics.Bob was born in South Bank, Middlesbrough, in North Yorkshire on July 7, 1939. He was the fifth of six children born to Arthur Nixon and Phylis Thompson. Robert's mother Phylis worked as a housewife while his father worked locally...
when Reid left DC Thomson
D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd
D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd, is a publishing company based in Dundee, Scotland, best known for producing The Dundee Courier, The Evening Telegraph, The Sunday Post, Oor Wullie, The Broons, The Beano, The Dandy and Commando comics...
in 1964. When Nixon left in 1973, Tom Lavery
Tom Lavery
Thomas Patrick Lavery was a South African athlete who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.He was born in Scotland and died in Germiston....
began drawing the strip, who was then followed by Frank McDiarmid in 1976.
Ten years later, after Euan Kerr took over as Beano editor, Nixon returned, drawing in a noticeably different style than before. Roger's strip was given a second page in 1986. Between 1986 and 1992, a spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
strip appeared at the end called Roger the Dodger's Dodge Clinic. Readers would write in with problems, and Roger would try and find a dodge for it (which would usually go wrong). Winning suggestions would win a transistor radio
Transistor radio
A transistor radio is a small portable radio receiver using transistor-based circuitry. Following their development in 1954 they became the most popular electronic communication device in history, with billions manufactured during the 1960s and 1970s...
and special scroll. Roger is often shown in other Beano characters' stories offering "help", which he took to a new level in Beano issue 2648 from April 1993. This issue marked Roger's 40th birthday, and in order to celebrate he made appearances in every strip in the comic.
Nixon continued drawing it until his death in October 2002, though due to the strips being drawn months in advance, his strips continued appearing in the Beano until the end of January 2003 when artist, Barrie Appleby
Barrie Appleby
Barrie Appleby is a British comics artist who works mainly for Scottish publisher D. C. Thomson & Co., drawing strips such as Dennis the Menace and Roger the Dodger for The Beano since the 1970s. He has also drawn Cuddles and Dimples for The Dandy, as well as strips for Nutty, Hoot, Monster Fun and...
took over. He drew the strip until 2011, when he stopped to concentrate on Dennis and Gnasher, though Trevor Metcalfe
Trevor Metcalfe
Trevor Metcalfe born May 1939 in Brotton, Yorkshire is a British illustrator and comic book artist. Known for his comic strips in IPC Magazines comics such as Sweet Tooth and Junior Rotter in Whizzer and Chips....
drew a few strips in 2003 and 2004, and there have also been some Robert Nixon
Robert Nixon (artist)
Robert Nixon was an artist who worked on several British comics.Bob was born in South Bank, Middlesbrough, in North Yorkshire on July 7, 1939. He was the fifth of six children born to Arthur Nixon and Phylis Thompson. Robert's mother Phylis worked as a housewife while his father worked locally...
reprints during 2005 and 2006. Since Appleby stopped drawing Roger, the comic has run reprints of Robert Nixon strips from the 1980s.
Roger is currently the second longest-running character in the Beano, behind only Dennis the Menace
Dennis the Menace (UK)
Dennis the Menace, later called Dennis the Menace and Gnasher and now Dennis and Gnasher, is a long-running comic strip in the British children's comic The Beano, published by D. C...
. However if taken into account the strip's absence in 1960 then he would be the third longest-running behind Minnie the Minx.
Characteristics
Roger is a crafty-looking ten year old boy who sports a red and black chequered jerseySweater
A sweater, jumper, pullover, sweatshirt, jersey or guernsey is a garment intended to cover the torso and arms. It is often worn over a shirt, blouse, T-shirt, or other top, but may also be worn alone as a top...
with a white shirt collar poking out. He is also usually attired in a white tie, however, the Barrie Appleby dropped this around 2005. Upon his debut, Roger sported the usual school boy shorts, however he began wearing trousers during the 1970s.
Despite his laziness, Roger is clearly quite intelligent, as his dodging schemes are often complex (in many cases, more complicated than performing the task he is supposed to do) and he has been seen to even swindle the class swot from The Bash Street Kids
The Bash Street Kids
The Bash Street Kids is an ongoing comic strip featuring in the British comic The Beano. The strip was created by Leo Baxendale under the title When the Bell Rings, and first appeared in The Beano in issue 604, dated 13 February 1954. It became The Bash Street Kids in 1956 and since then, it has...
, Cuthbert Cringeworthy.
Other Characters in the strip
- His Mum and Dad. In one strip in the Beano Book from 1957, his dad's name is revealed to be Bill, and he has occasionally shown to have been a dodger in his youth and on occasion asks Roger for dodging help.
- His rival is a bully named Cruncher Kerr named after the Beano editor at the time Euan Kerr.
- Roger has had two different pets, firstly a CrowCrowCrows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
called Joe the Crow, and secondly a cat called Dodge Cat. - Roger also had two friends, called Crafty Colin and Sneaky Pete. These two mainly appeared in the 1990s, though Pete did reappear in the 2006 Beano Annual. However, in the late 2000s Roger gained a new friend called Dave.
Theme Park
- Roger had his very own ride in Chessington World of AdventuresChessington World of AdventuresChessington World of Adventures Resort is a theme park and zoo in South West London, England. It lies south of Central London. Historically opened as Chessington Zoo in 1931, a theme park was developed alongside it, opening in 1987...
named Roger the Dodger's Dodgems before Beanoland was re-themed to Wild Asia.
Video Games
- Roger appeared in the PCPCPC most commonly refers to:* Personal computer, a computer whose original sales price, size, and capabilities make it useful for individuals* Political correctness, language or behavior that appears calculated to provide a minimum of offense...
Racing gameRacing gameA racing video game is a genre of video games, either in the first-person or third-person perspective, in which the player partakes in a racing competition with any type of land, air, or sea vehicles. They may be based on anything from real-world racing leagues to entirely fantastical settings...
Beanotown RacingBeanotown RacingBeanotown Racing is a PC Game and has The Beano and a few Dandy characters. It was released in 2003.There are ten characters :...
as a playable character. His vehicle was a chequred bumper car. - Roger was also featured as a character in The Beano Interactive DVD which consisted of mini-games and a few short animations.