WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES...

Images copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

Here's something I'm deliberating over, with which you might be able to help me.  The very first DENNIS The MENACE book came out in 1955 (for '56).  It then came out every second year until 1977 (for '78), and then took a holiday for five years.  In 1982, the '83 book was issued, and again there was a two year gap between the next two books ('85 & '87, issued in '84 & '86 respectively).

The next book (for '88) came out a year after the previous one, and they were released annually right up until the last one in 2010 (for 2011).  So here's what's bothering me: Which one would you say qualifies as the first 'Annual'?  The '87 book, which came out a year before the next (but two years after the one before), or the '88, which came out a year after its predecessor?

What's your view on the matter?

SPECTACULAR SPLASH PAGES #8

Image copyright DC COMICS

A cracking BERNIE WRIGHTSON illustration is the latest in our splash page series, which I trust all you cavortin' Criv-ites are following and appreciating in equal measure.  What will the next one be?  Well, there's only one way to find out, so don't stray too far - you'd hate yourself if you missed anything!