It can be interesting to compare an original story with the reprinted one, to see what changed. In the 2003 Dennis the Menace annual they reprinted the Christmas story from Beano #2475 from December 23rd 1989, that year's Christmas issue. Originally just called Dennis the Menace and Gnasher, the annual renamed it to 'Dennis the Menace and Gnasher in a Christmas Chortle', adding Santa in his sleigh and moon to the panel.
The colour scheme also changed, the original version is generally darker with a nice purple sky. I personally prefer the original version, the reprint just doesn't seem as festive. Even the bells that read 'Dennis the Menace and Gnasher' aren't as nicely coloured.
Here's the full strip, the original next to the reprint. Art is by David Sutherland. As always click on the images and then again to view in full size.
And here's the book the reprint appeared in, the 2003 Dennis the Menace annual.
Many thanks to Phil Creighton for informing me of this reprint! Cheers Phil!
