Editing Dennis the Menace (U.S. comics) (section)

==Characters and setting==
''Dennis the Menace'' takes place in a [[Middle class|middle-class]] [[suburb]]an neighborhood in [[Wichita, Kansas]].<ref>"'Dennis the Menace' creator dies at 81; strip to continue"</ref> In the comics, the Mitchell family lives in a two-story house at the fictional address of 2251 Pine Street.<ref>Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun #2. Christmas Double Feature "I want a..." p. 77.</ref> The Wilson family lives next door at 2253 Pine Street.<ref>''Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun'' #2. p.  171.</ref> The television series differs, putting the Wilsons at the also-fictional 627 Elm Street.<ref>{{citation |title=Dennis the Menace |date=June 27, 2014 |url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1950s/dennis-menace/ |publisher=Nostalgia Central |access-date= November 8, 2021}}</ref>

===The Mitchell family===
* '''Dennis Roger Mitchell''' is a [[freckle]]-faced five-year-old<ref>Dennis the Menace cartoon march-14-2014</ref> boy with a troublesome but soft-hearted and helpful personality. His long-suffering parents, Henry and Alice Mitchell, can only shake their heads and try to explain their son's antics to others, yet they very much love and care for him. The comic efficacy of Dennis's personality lies within how his genuine attempts to help those in need, combined with his youthful energy and enthusiasm, frequently lead to trouble wherever he goes (usually at Mr. Wilson's expense). He wears a black T-shirt with blue stripes, red [[overalls]], and white [[sneakers]]. He hates [[carrot]]s and baths, loves [[root beer]] (especially with [[cookie]]s or [[Chocolate brownie|brownies]]), [[ketchup]], [[sandwich]]es, [[Water gun|water pistols]], playing with other boys his age, mud puddles, [[camping]], and [[Western (genre)|Westerns]] (especially those starring Cowboy Bob, the comic's take on the [[Lone Ranger]]), and has occasionally been depicted wearing a [[cowboy]] costume.<ref>Dennis the Menace comic June 2, 2014</ref> Dennis has a Cowboy Bob Deputy Badge,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_050_Hallden-Fawcett/page/n37 Dennis the Menace 050]</ref> poster, and an autographed picture of Cowboy Bob, as well. Among the [[running gag]]s: Dennis has a soft spot for animals such as [[kitten]]s and [[Puppy|puppies]], which he is always taking home to feed; he loves loud instruments, such as [[Horn (instrument)|horns]] and [[Drum kit|drums]], and he ruins [[Christmas music|Christmas songs]] with shouts of cowboy songs or annoys adults by shouting out loud.<ref name="Dennis the Menace Fawcett comic 3">[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Giant_003_Pines_Hallden_Dennis_The_Menace_Giant_Christmas_I/page/n7 Dennis the Menace Fawcett comic 3]</ref> When Dennis is in the local [[department store]] trying out toys, such as [[tricycle]]s, he often ends up breaking them and making his parents buy them. In fact, Dennis nearly causes [[Portrait photography|portrait photographers]], [[hairdresser]]s,<ref name="Dennis the Menace Fawcett Comic #18">[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_018_Pines/page/n11 Dennis the Menace Fawcett Comic #18]</ref> bank presidents,<ref>Dennis the Menace 28</ref> grocery-store personnel,<ref name="Dennis the Menace 42">[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_042_Hallden-Fawcett/page/n23 Dennis the Menace 42]</ref> [[kindergarten]] teachers,<ref>Dennis the Menace comic march-27-2014</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_The_Menace_094_1968 Dennis the Menace 94]</ref> restaurant [[Waiting staff|waiters]], [[librarian]]s,<ref>Dennis the Menace Comic strip Nov 13, 1987</ref> museum [[security guard]]s, [[police officer]]s, [[bus driver]]s,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_025_Pines/page/n35 Dennis the Menace 25]</ref> house heating equipment repairmen,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_034_Hallden-Fawcett_1958/page/n13 Dennis the Menace 34]</ref> the town [[mayor]],<ref name="Dennis the Menace Fawcett comic 3"/> department-store Christmas Santa Clauses and saleswomen, [[Pharmacy (shop)|drug store]] salesmen, [[hardware store]] salesmen, shoe salesmen, [[barber]]s,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_039_Hallden-Fawcett_1959/page/n31 Dennis the Menace # 39]</ref> and the local [[post office]] workers<ref name="Dennis the Menace Fawcett COMIC 61">[[iarchive:fawcett Dennis the Menace Giant 061 Hallden-Fawcett 1968/page/n1|Dennis the Menace Fawcett Comic 61]]</ref> to have nervous breakdowns when he comes around.<ref>For an example of Dennis the Menace chaos in a department store, see "Dennis Goes Christmas Shopping" in ''Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun'' #2.</ref> A running gag is that Dennis causes chaos wherever he visits, such as the [[Urban park|city park]],<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_018_Pines Dennis the Menace 18]</ref> a Marineland Aquarium,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Bonus_Magazine_Series_165_1977/page/n25 Dennis the Menace 165]</ref> [[United States Army|the US Army]],<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_037_Hallden-Fawcett/page/n5 Dennis the Menace 37]</ref> and even on vacation trips to [[Mexico]]<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Giant_008_Hallden-Fawcett Dennis the Menace in Mexico]</ref> and [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]].<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Giant_007_Hallden-Fawcett_1959/page/n47 Dennis the Menace 007]</ref> Despite all this, he is a "popular kid" with his peers, having countless friends both at his school and around the neighborhood, who are taken with his very fun-loving demeanor. Dennis also believes in the [[Easter Bunny]] and [[Santa Claus]]. Another running gag is Dennis dreaming that he meets Santa Claus on [[Christmas Eve]] and causing chaos for everyone else.<ref name="Dennis the Menace Fawcett COMIC 61"/>
* '''Henry Mitchell''', age 32,<ref name="dennis.kingfeatures.org">[http://dennis.kingfeatures.org/cast-and-crew/ Cast and Crew]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504140343/http://dennis.kingfeatures.org/cast-and-crew/|date=May 4, 2014}}</ref> is Dennis' father, an aeronautical engineer.<ref>{{cite web |title=About: Dennis The Menace |url=https://comicskingdom.com/dennis-the-menace/about |website=Comics Kingdom |access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref> Henry seems to understand Dennis more than his wife does, especially in affairs of the heart. One example was when a furious Dennis stormed in, saying, "Woman can say some of the stupidest things!" Henry knowingly said to Alice, "Margaret." Another time, while Dennis was watching Gina, he confided to his dad, "There's somethin' about Gina that I can't figure out." Henry wisely advised his son, "Wait." Again, Henry and Alice overhear Dennis tell Gina that she "smelled better than a plateful of peanut butter [[sandwich]]es." Henry remarks, "The ultimate compliment." Like his creator Hank Ketcham, Henry served in the [[United States Navy]]; starting position as a quartermaster (helmsman) second class on a US Navy ship,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_105_Hallden-Fawcett_1969/page/n13 Dennis the Menace # 105 1969]</ref> he ended up on an aircraft carrier<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_The_Menace_155_1978/page/n9 Dennis the Menace 155]</ref> and rose to the rank of [[chief petty officer]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} Among his hobbies are playing [[card games]] such as [[poker]],<ref>''Dennis the Menace'' 34</ref> [[Birdwatching|bird watching]],<ref>''Dennis the Menace'' 43</ref> and playing the [[ukulele]] and singing old songs. A running gag is that Henry often plays the [[straight man]] dupe—either resulting from Dennis's "helpfulness," or because of his foolishness; once, he tried to save money on a Christmas tree by cutting one down in the country—and ended up paying $20.00 ($10.00 for a fine and $10.00 for the owner charging him for the tree).<ref>''Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun'' #2, "Up a tree"</ref>
* '''Alice Mitchell, née Aberdeen''' is Dennis' [[Housewife|stay-at-home mother]], who is usually the reassuring figure to whom Dennis can run when things get too overwhelming, ready to greet him with a warm [[hug]]. Although she grew up among animals on a [[Poultry farming|chicken ranch]], a [[running gag]] is that Alice is [[Ophidiophobia|Ophidiophobic]]. (She also dislikes mice and white rats, implying she is [[Fear of mice and rats|musiphobic]] as well.)<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_050_Hallden-Fawcett/page/n13 Dennis_the_Menace_050]</ref> {{citation needed|date=April 2021}} She is the president of a local [[Bridge (card game)|bridge]] club.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_021_Pines/page/n25 Dennis the Menace Fawcett Comics 21]</ref> Another running gag involves Dennis's ever-changing parade of new [[Babysitting|babysitters]];<ref>Dennis the Menace comic June 28, 2019</ref> no one will take the job twice, much to Alice's annoyance.<ref>Dennis the Menace comic June 13, 1958</ref><ref>Dennis the Menace December 9, 1959</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Bonus_Magazine_Series_165_1977/page/n25 Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series 165]</ref> Alice is the disciplinarian in the Mitchell household; for example, she punishes Dennis for his misbehavior by having him sit in the corner in a [[rocking chair]] for timeout.<ref>Dennis the Menace comic february-28-2014</ref><ref>Dennis the Menace march-16-2014</ref><ref>Dennis the Menace march-18-2014</ref> 
* '''Ruff''' is Dennis's [[dog]] (a [[Newfoundland dog|Newfoundland]] mix{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}) and best friend. He is always eagerly following him around, accompanying him while Dennis is [[running]], or riding his [[Bicycle|bike]] or [[skateboard]]. Another [[running gag]] is that although Ruff chases cats, he is afraid of them.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_114_Hallden-Fawcett_1971/page/n13 Dennis the Menace 114]</ref>
* '''Hot Dog''' is Dennis's rarely seen [[cat]], which usually commiserates with him while he sits in the corner and reflects on his wrongdoings. Dennis gave the cat its name after the cat ate a package of [[hot dog]]s.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_143_Hallden-Fawcett_1976/page/n23 Dennis the Menace No 143]</ref>
* '''Barney''' is another cat of the Mitchells.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
* '''Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell'''<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_037_Hallden-Fawcett/page/n5 Dennis the Meanace 37]</ref>
* '''Grampa''' (Arnold "Swede" Aberdeen) is Alice's father, who spoils Dennis often. He evokes the unintentional jealousy of Mr. Wilson, for he gets to see Dennis occasionally, but Mr. Wilson sees him all the time. Because they are so much alike, Dennis and Grampa Johnson get along well. Mr. Wilson and Grampa have different perspectives on life and how to live it. While Mr. Wilson believes in acting one's age, Grampa encourages Dennis to enjoy life to the fullest. His wife's status is unknown; she is never seen in the comics, although she is mentioned four times—twice when, thanks to Dennis, Alice finds out Henry destroyed his Christmas gift (a tie) from his mother-in-law;<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Giant_003_Pines_Hallden_Dennis_The_Menace_Giant_Christmas_I/page/n97 Dennis the Menace giant Christmas]</ref> another time a furious Alice finds out that Henry had thrown his mother-in-law's gift (a tie) into the trash.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Another time, Alice wished her mother a Happy Mother's Day by telephone.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Grandpa mentions his wife to Dennis but not her status{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
* '''Uncle Fred and Aunt Mollie'''<ref>''Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun'' #2 "Too Many Santas"</ref>
* '''Uncle Richard and Aunt Ginny'''<ref>''Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun'' #2</ref>
* '''Uncle John''' lives in [[Florida]]. The Mitchells visited him once for a vacation.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun'' #8</ref>
* '''Uncle Al''' lives in [[Texas]] and works in the "oil business." He runs a small oil and [[Filling station|gas station]].<ref>Dennis the menace #15</ref>
* '''Uncle Charlie'''<ref name="Dennis the Menace Fawcett Comic #18"/>
* '''Uncle Ernie and Aunt Blanche'''
*'''Aunt Betty'''<ref name="ReferenceA" />
* '''Aunt Hetty'''<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* '''Aunt Sue'''<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===The Wilsons===
* '''George Everett Wilson Sr.''' is Dennis's cranky, cantankerous, middle-aged next-door neighbor, a retired [[mail carrier]] and (at least as far as Dennis is concerned) his best adult friend. Not much is told about his early life except he grew up on a farm, lived through [[The Great Depression]] of the 1930s, served in [[World War II]], and is a retired postman. Dennis loves Mr. Wilson, but unintentionally annoys him, as he regularly disrupts Mr. Wilson's attempts at a serene, quiet life; he often interrupts Mr. Wilson's hobbies such as gardening and bird watching, at times accidentally damaging his property. As a result, he displays a less than cordial attitude towards the young boy, though Dennis continues his well-meaning intrusions unabated. As many readers suspected, he is secretly fond of Dennis and misses him when he is away, although he would never openly admit it. On one occasion when the Mitchells went to Hollywood for two weeks, Mr. Wilson kept seeing Dennis' face everywhere.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Giant_007_Hallden-Fawcett_1959/page/n47 Dennis the Menace Giant 007]</ref> Mr. Wilson is named after a teacher Hank Ketcham knew. Dennis often (especially in the television series) refers to him as "Good Ol' Mr. Wilson." Although a running gag is that Dennis's pranks drive Mr. Wilson crazy, at times Dennis tries to do nice things for Mr. Wilson, such as the time Dennis left Ruff the dog and Hot Dog the cat with Mr. Wilson so he would not be lonely on [[Father's Day]], while Dennis and his father went to a baseball game,<ref>"Dennis the Menace" June 20, 2010</ref> or the time Dennis tries to cheer Mr. Wilson up on [[April Fool]]'s day by placing a fake "Mitchell House for sale" sign up.<ref>"Dennis the Menace" comic April 2, 2012</ref>
* '''Martha Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's engaging wife who adores Dennis. Mrs. Wilson freely dotes on him and plies him with freshly baked cookies and [[Dairy milk|milk]]. Martha sees Dennis as a surrogate grandson. By 1975, George and Martha had been married for 25 years.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Bonus_Magazine_Series_142 Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series 142]</ref>
* '''John Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's brother.
* '''Eloise Wilson''' is John's wife and Mr. Wilson's sister-in-law.
* '''Earl Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's estranged son.
* '''Elena Wilson''' is Earl's wife.
* '''Winnie Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's granddaughter and Earl's daughter.
* '''Walter "Walt" Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's grandson and Earl's son.
* '''Keith Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's grandson and Earl's son.
* '''Sammy Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's grandson and Earl's son.
* '''George Wilson Jr.''' is Mr. Wilson's son.
* '''Edna Wilson''' is George Jr.'s wife.
* '''Tammy Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's daughter.
* '''George Wilson III''' is Mr. Wilson's grandson.
* '''Will Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's grandson.
* '''Helga Wilson''' is Mr. Wilson's granddaughter.
* '''Uncle Ned''' is Mr. Wilson's 70-year-old uncle who visited his nephew in 1964.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Television_Special_022 Dennis the Menace Television Special 022 Fawcett comic]</ref>

===Dennis' friends===
* '''Tommy Anderson''' is Dennis' best friend (after Mr. Wilson). This character eventually disappeared from the strip, although he does make appearances in the ''Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun'' books.
* '''Joey McDonald''' is loyal, timid, and not too bright. He is a year younger than Dennis. He usually plays the [[sidekick]] to Dennis's schemes and sees him as a big brother figure. Dennis often gives him naïve advice and gives him little "nuggets" of wisdom and insight.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_086_Fawcett_-_1966/page/n33 Dennis the Menace 86]</ref>
* '''Margaret Wade''' is a freckled, [[Red hair|red-haired]], [[Glasses|bespectacled]] know-it-all whose cloying and self-important demeanor is always getting on Dennis's nerves. She is attracted to Dennis and is stubbornly confident in the belief that she will [[Marriage|marry]] him in adulthood,<ref>Dennis the Menace June 2, 1958 comic</ref> but he has no interest in her. She always tries to improve Dennis and his manners but succeeds only in annoying him. She has a certain amount of dislike for Gina, whom she sees as her competition. Gina gains Dennis' respect and admiration by just being herself, and Margaret's pretensions fail to impress him. Margaret, who is two years older than Dennis,<ref name="dennis.kingfeatures.org"/> is very ambitious: when she was five, she decided to join the [[Camp Fire (organization)|Camp Fire]] Girls when she reaches the age of seven,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> and in one cartoon, she sells [[Girl Scout Cookies|Girl Scout cookies]] to the Mitchells.<ref>Dennis the Menace february-22-2014</ref> She likes taking [[gymnastics]] and [[ballet]],<ref name="Dennis the Menace 143">[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_143_Hallden-Fawcett_1976 Dennis the Menace 143]</ref> and singing Christmas carols.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_Giant_074_Hallden-Fawcett_1969/page/n15 Dennis the Menace 74]</ref>  She is a devout religious believer, and has had pets<ref name="ReferenceA"/> of her own—four white [[Persian cat]]s: one named Charlie,<ref>Dennis The Menace Giant 004 Pines Hallden 1957</ref> one named Prudence,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_The_Menace_095_1968/page/n25 Dennis The Menace 095 1968]</ref> one named Snowflake,<ref>Dennis the Menace comic April 7, 2013</ref> and another named Mr. Coddles (whom she wheels around in a [[baby carriage]]).<ref name="Dennis the Menace #39">[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_039_Hallden-Fawcett_1959/page/n31 Dennis the Menace #39]</ref> Whenever Margaret seeks to show him kindness, such as inviting him over to her house to help decorate a [[Christmas tree]],<ref name="ReferenceB">''Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun'' #2 "How not to Decorate a Tree"</ref> be a guest at her birthday party,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> or when Dennis tries to have Margaret give him too much candy,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Dennis' "helpfulness" results in his expulsion. Regardless of his ill-will toward Margaret, Dennis cannot resist eating at the Wades'.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> Margaret and Dennis are not always adversaries. Dennis once used a water pistol to spray both Margaret and Gina with his mother's [[perfume]], prompting both to play with him and angering his mother.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>  Margaret is a frequent victim of Dennis's [[practical joke]]s, such as being sprayed by a [[garden hose]].<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_086_Fawcett_-_1966/page/n31 Dennis the Menace  86]</ref> On one Valentine's Day, Dennis gave "trick" Valentine's messages to Margaret, Gina, and Sally that had messages read "I DON'T Like", which earned him punishment.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_the_Menace_050_Hallden-Fawcett/page/n3  Dennis the Menace 050 Hallden-Fawcett]</ref> In one April Fool's Day comic, Dennis decided to trick Margaret with compliments instead of pranks; to his horror, she accepted the joke as real and dragged Dennis to hear her piano playing.<ref>Dennis the Menace comic April 1, 2012</ref> Although she is fond of Dennis, she can lose her temper and "bop" him.<ref name="Dennis the Menace #39"/><ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_The_Menace_094_1968/page/n27 Dennis The Menace 094 ]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/fawcett_Dennis_The_Menace_154_1977_/page/n17 Dennis the Menace 154]</ref>
* '''Gina Gillotti''' is a fiercely independent young [[Italian Americans|Italian-American]] girl, on whom Dennis is mostly unaware that he has a crush. Gina is [[tomboy]]ish yet still feminine in appearance. She also likes Dennis in a future-sweethearts manner, but in contrast to his dislike of Margaret, Dennis enjoys Gina's company because of her independent mind and their common interests. Gina is aware of her femininity, and woe betide anyone who thinks otherwise. Just as Margaret had "flipped" Dennis in [[karate]], Gina once "flipped" Dennis in [[judo]].<ref name="Dennis the Menace 143"/> and in at least one story, her mother is depicted as being an excellent cook.
* '''Jackson''' is an [[African Americans|African American]] character whom Ketcham decided to add to the cast in the late 1960s. A panel from May 13, 1970, depicted Jackson and Dennis playing in the backyard, with Dennis saying to his father, "I'm having some race trouble with Jackson. He runs FASTER than I do!"<ref>[http://i46.tinypic.com/2nhhunr.jpg May 13, 1970 Cartoon]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225064628/http://i46.tinypic.com/2nhhunr.jpg|date=February 25, 2012}}</ref> Because Jackson was illustrated as a [[Controversial newspaper caricatures|racial caricature]], the character was not received well. Protests erupted in [[Detroit]], [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Miami]], and [[St. Louis]], and debris was thrown at the offices of the ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch|Post Dispatch]]''. Taken aback, Ketcham issued a statement explaining that his intentions were innocent. Jackson appeared in another comic with a less exaggerated design, in which Dennis says "Me 'n Jackson are exactly the same age. Only he's different. He's ''left-handed''."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Foster |first1=William |title=Dennis the Menace's Friend, Jackson |url=https://scoop.previewsworld.com/Home/4/1/73/1016?articleID=98408 |website=Scoop}}</ref> However, readers found the redesigned character "scarcely less offensive".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mikkelson |first1=David |title=When 'Dennis the Menace' Created a Racial Controversy |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/dennis-the-menace/ |website=Snopes|date=March 31, 2015 }}</ref> He makes no further prominent appearances in the comics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fantagraphics.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=977 |title=Dennis the Menace – Introduction |author=Brian Walker |publisher=Fantagraphics Books |access-date=February 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613150309/http://www.fantagraphics.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=977 |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> 
** On January 22, 2024, Dennis is illustrated speaking to a black child of indeterminate identity. This child does not resemble either of Jackson's earlier designs, but like Jackson, he has no spoken dialogue.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mon, January 22, 2024 |url=https://comicskingdom.com/dennis-the-menace/2024-01-22 |website=Comics Kingdom}}</ref>
* '''Jay Weldon''' is another African American friend of Dennis. He appeared in the 1986 animated series and was characterized as being fond of [[basketball]]. Jay was much more well-received than the character of Jackson because he was not designed as a caricature.
* '''Ben''' is a [[Jewish]] friend of Dennis. Although they celebrate different religious holidays, Ben and Dennis bond over a love of Halloween.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sun, October 26, 2014 |url=https://comicskingdom.com/dennis-the-menace/2014-10-26 |website=Comics Kingdom}}</ref>
* '''Cowboy Bob''' is a film cowboy whom Dennis idolizes. He appears in a series of Westerns known as Cowboy Bob films. What the boy fails to realize is that Westerns are rarely made in his time and that the films he watches so enthusiastically are old repeats. In one story arc, Dennis' parents invite the retired actor to a party, and Dennis meets him and remarks that he must be Cowboy Bob's grandfather.