Dennis the Menace and the Bible Kids

From 1977 to 1980, Word Books published a unique ten-issue series that merged Hank Ketcham's iconic, mischievous Dennis the Menace with biblical storytelling. Written primarily by Fred Toole, with Ketcham himself providing the familiar, expressive artwork, the series placed Dennis, his friends Joey and Margaret, and his long-suffering parents and neighbor Mr. Wilson into gentle, faith-based adventures. Rather than typical comic mischief, the stories used the recognizable cast to explore moral lessons and Bible stories for young readers. It stands as a curious, wholesome artifact of the late 1970s, blending a beloved newspaper strip character with religious educational publishing.