Dennis the Menace is a daily syndicated newspaper comic strip that was originally
created, written, and illustrated by Hank Ketcham. It debuted on March 12, 1951,
in 16 newspapers, originally distributed by Post-Hall Syndicate. It is now written
and drawn by Ketcham’s former assistants, Marcus Hamilton and Ron Ferdinand,
and distributed to at least 1,000 newspapers in 48 countries and in 19 languages
by King Features Syndicate. The strip usually runs for a single panel on weekdays 
and a full strip on Sundays.

Henry (Hank) King Ketcham (March 14, 1920 – June 1, 2001)

The serial came to WOR radio as a syndicated show and went to Mutual on
August 31, 1942, airing until March 1, 1951 on ABC.

From left: Jackson Beck (announcer), Joan Alexander
(Lois Lane) and Bud Collyer (Superman) on the air.

 
Bud Collyer

The Sunday strip appeared in the half-page format, which was the only complete
format for the entire life of the Sunday strip. Most of the other characters that
eventually became the main characters of Peanuts did not appear until later

Charles Schulz

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Ross Simpson

Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. is 60 years old today