To help us celebrate Beano’s 85th birthday, we got YOU to submit drawings to tell everyone ‘What’s cool about being a kid in 2023’! 

We got loads of entries and crammed as many as we could and made them into a mini-mag called Beanow, which is included with the latest issue, which is out now! Dennis edited it himself and he’s very proud of it!

We asked some of your favourite Beano characters to tell us why is Being Me in 2023 is cool, too.

Take it away!

1. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Dennis says: “Kids are true to themselves and accept others too. So if you want to be an awesome boy with a blamtastic dog – like me – be my guest! Being a kid never gets old. It’s only if you drop your guard and grow up that the trouble starts!”

2. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Minnie says: “When it comes to my life, I MIN CHARGE! GEDDIT? It’s my life, I live by my rules, and I do things my way!”

3. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

The Bash Street Kids say: “We get to hang out with our pals all day at school, and nothing can stop us meeting up again later – IRL if the weather’s good or online if not!”

4. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Dangerous Dan says: “There’s a whole world of cool information out there, and I’ve got them all at my fingertips – you can learn about anything you like! No secret is safe from a top agent like me!”

5. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Eric says: “Nobody thinks kids should be ‘seen and not heard’ anymore – we have a voice and we will be heard!”

6. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Bananaman says: “People are always holding out for a hero. They’ve gotta be strong and they’ve gotta be fast, and they’ve gotta be dressed for the fight. And I am SO dressed for the fight!”

7. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Rubi says: “We have more choices than ever before about the kind of lives we want to live, and I can’t wait to find out what the future looks like. See you there!”

8. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Harsha says: “I love pranks and tricking people, especially when they take themselves too seriously! Everybody looks silly sometimes. I say ’embrace the embarrassment’ and if you get pranked, be prepared to prank back!”

9. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Roger says: “No matter what grown-ups throw at me , I can always use AI to dodge it! That’s Artful Instincts. What would YOU use?”

10. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Billy Whizz says: “Everything is faster and better than before – human beings, broadband, the trains… Well, nearly everything!”

11. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

JJ says: “Sport has opened up, and now anyone who wants to compete can do it. I feel like the things that used to be walls are now just hurdles to be jumped!”

12. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Sketch Khad says: “When I get inspired to use my creativity, I can share my work with the whole world… or just the people I want to see it!”

13. Being me in 2023 is cool, because…

Mahira says: “I can play football whenever I like, with whoever I like, and women’s football is the best it’s ever been! Go Lionesses!”