THE SECRET OF WILLIE BOGGINS

Printed and published in 1991 by DC Thomson, A Dandy Special No.4 is the second of five Bananaman stories to feature in the series.  Curiously titled The Secret of Willie Boggins, the story reveals Eric Wimp is not the only regular Bananaman character to reside incognito on Acacia Road!

Front cover of A Dandy Special No.4: The Secret of Willie Boggins

At Number 24, just five doors down from Eric's house, lives Willie Boggins.  Portrayed as a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and an acquired taste for tripe, black pudding and worms (!), his peculiarity becomes the focus of attention from a local news reporter who has grown bored of frequently reporting on Bananaman.  However, unbeknown to all, Willie Boggins is the secret alter-ego of one of Bananaman's arch-villains!

Mirroring Eric Wimp's ability to transform into Bananaman whenever he eats a banana, Willie Boggins changes upon eating a pickled egg.  When this is revealed, the story becomes a slugfest between superhero and supervillain, which only gets zanier with every page turn!

Just who is Willie Boggins the alter-ego of?

Out of respect for anyone wanting to read The Secret of Willie Boggins, I won't reveal his real identity here.  However, long-time Bananafans may be able to work out who he is by studying the picture above.

That's torn it! Bananaman ruins another set of Eric's clothes

​Throughout the story, Eric Wimp's clothes get ripped beyond repair every time he transforms into Bananaman.  As seen on the front cover, regular readers know this isn't the norm;  Eric's clothes usually transform with him.  However, artistic licence has been used on this occasion for a pivotal plot point, resulting in some hilarious moments.

Eric Wimp bares all!

Thanks a bunch, Bananaman!

The Secret of Willie Boggins includes a rare appearance of Eric's mum, and the appearance of Willie's mum too!  ​Readers also get to see what happens when Bananaman eats a tall bunch of bananas in one go!

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BANANA FACT

Did you know a bunch of bananas is actually called a hand? A single banana in a bunch is known as a finger!

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Eric Wimp's mum, Mrs. Wimp, appears in the story

I won't spoil the ending but it does involve a cooling tower being used as an emergency toilet!  Well worth a read if you can get your hands on a copy!

Readers are advised to keep an umbrella close by as next time I'll be diving into Bananaman's third story in the A Dandy Special series:  Stormy Weather!

​Thanks a bunch for stopping by!