Billy Whizz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Billy Whizz |
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| Comic strip character(s) from The Beano | |
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| Publication information | |
| Stars in | Billy Whizz |
| Creator(s) | Malcolm Judge |
| Other contributors | Barry Appleby Steve Horrocks David Parkins Vic Neill Wilbur Dawbarn Nick Brennan Andy Fanton |
| Current/last artist | Wayne Thompson Danny Pearson |
| First appearance | Issue 1139 (16 May 1964) |
| Also appeared in | The Beano Annual The Bash Street Kids |
| Current status | Ongoing |
| Schedule | Weekly |
| Main Character | |
| Name | Billy Whizz |
| Alias(es) | The World's Fastest Boy |
| Family | Alfie Whizz (brother) Dad Mum |
| Characters | |
| Regular characters | Alfie Whizz, Dad |
Billy Whizz is a super-fast character from the British comic The Beano. He first appeared in issue 1139 on 16 May 1964. Billy is known for being able to run incredibly fast, which often causes funny accidents. But sometimes, his amazing speed can be really helpful!
Billy has a younger brother named Alfie Whizz. Alfie looks a lot like Billy. Usually, Alfie is a normal boy, but sometimes he can run just as fast as his big brother. For a long time, Billy lived in a place called Whizztown. Later, his stories started to take place in Beanotown, where many other Beano characters live.
Contents
Billy Whizz's Look: Clothes and Hair
Billy's appearance has changed a bit over the years. When his comic strip first started, he wore a simple T-shirt and black shorts.
Billy's Clothes: From Shorts to Tracksuits
In the late 1970s, Billy's dad tried to slow him down. He told Billy to buy new trousers. Billy chose tracksuit bottoms, which didn't slow him down at all! From then on, he wore these trousers. In the early 1990s, Billy got a new look. He started wearing a black tracksuit with a cool lightning bolt design.
When his tracksuit was shown in colour, the lightning bolt was first yellow. Then, most of the tracksuit turned red, except for the lightning bolt. Later, even the lightning bolt became red. Billy used to wear regular shoes. But around the same time he got his tracksuit, he started wearing trainers. Because he runs so fast, his trainers often get worn out quickly. You can sometimes see holes in the soles!
Billy's Hair: The Two Hairs and Lightning Flash
From his very first comic strip, Billy has had a unique hairstyle. He has a shaved head with two long, antenna-like hairs sticking up at the top. In a 1970 Beano Annual, it was explained why Billy, his dad, and Alfie all have this style. They always get kicked out of the barber shop before the last two hairs can be shaved off!
Later, an artist named Vic Neill changed his hair. The two hairs turned into a lightning flash shape. No reason was given for this change in the comic. When Wayne Thompson became the artist, Billy's hair went back to the original two hairs. Some stories have shown that Billy's hair is blond if it grows out long.
Billy Whizz's Personality
Billy is usually not as naughty as other Beano characters. He doesn't often try to cause trouble or annoy people on purpose. Most of the problems he causes are by accident. This happens a lot because of his super speed!
However, Billy can get angry quite quickly. In a 1999 Beano Book, he got really mad when he found out Alfie had ice during a race. He also seems to be very impatient. He can't even sit still to watch a movie! Unlike some other Beano characters, Billy doesn't have a regular group of friends.
Because Billy is kind and has a good heart, other Beano characters sometimes take advantage of him. For example, Roger the Dodger and Dennis have used his speed. In one story, Billy agreed to carry Roger's "dodge books" to help Roger slow down.
Billy Whizz's History in The Beano
Here are some important dates in Billy Whizz's comic history:
- 16 May 1964: Billy Whizz first appeared in The Beano in issue No. 1139.
- Late 1970s/Early 1980s: Billy started wearing trousers instead of shorts. This was explained in a story where his dad hoped trousers would slow him down.
- 9 May 1992: Billy Whizz wore his new lightning bolt tracksuit for the first time in issue No. 2599. In the story, he ran so fast in it that people thought he was a lightning storm!
- 9 July 1994: Billy's hairstyle changed to the lightning flash shape in issue No. 2712.
- 5 April 2003: Wayne Thompson became the new artist for Billy in issue No. 3168.
- 10 November 2012: Wilbur Dawbarn took over as artist, bringing back Billy's original look.
Billy Whizz in Other Places
Billy Whizz has appeared outside of the comic books too!
Billy Whizz in Videos
- Billy was in the 1994 straight-to-DVD movie called Beano Video. An actor named Jonathan Kydd did his voice.
Billy Whizz in Theme Parks
- Billy used to have his own ride at Chessington World of Adventures! It was a flying chair ride called Billy's Whizzer. It was part of "Beanoland" from 2000 until 2009.
Billy Whizz Merchandise
- You could even find a Billy Whizz figure! Robert Harrop designed one that showed Billy inside a bumper car.
