Viz Comic Collectibles


‘Viz’ magazine is a legend amongst the student population of Great Britain. The first issue appeared in Newcastle upon Tyne way back in 1979 and since then ‘Viz’ has progressed from a cheaply published home made comic to being a proper magazine with staples and colour covers and everything like that. ‘Viz’ owes its success to its clever lampooning of the ordinary British comics of the 1960s and 70s. Thus, loveable characters from the ‘Beano’, ‘Dandy’, ‘Beazer’ and the like are re-invented as monstrous, foul mouthed ‘Viz’ creations with the emphasis firmly on outrageous and scatological humour. Among the magazine’s more famous (and obnoxious!) comic creations are Sid the Sexist (a most un-PC Geordie) and the good time girls ‘The Fat Slags’. The editors of ‘Viz’ cleverly added scabrous parodies of reader’s letters pages, advice columns, photo stories and competitions to the mix and a publishing success story was born. The magazine is still widely read and collected today, but its real heyday was in the late 80s and early 90s. Nevertheless, there is still plenty to collect and the secondhand market for ‘Viz’ memorabilia is strong.

Among the many items of ‘Viz’ memorabilia to collect, apart from the original issues of course, are a range of mugs and T-shirts bearing the faces of many ‘Viz’ characters. The magazine’s publishers have also issued a wide range of annuals and other offshoot books on a regular basis since the early 80s. One of the best items of ‘Viz’ memorabilia is a limited edition chess set featuring pieces modelled on such famous ‘Viz ‘ characters as Biffa Bacon, Millie Tant, Mrs Brady Old Lady, Student Grant and the aforementioned Sid the Sexist. This high quality collectible can also be bought with a deluxe wooden board and is sure to become a classic in future years. The ‘Viz’ chess set is currently valued at around £130. Today, ‘Viz’ magazine has its own official web site, www.viz.co.uk, and among the many attractions are an interactive dictionary of rude words, ‘Roger’s Profanisaurus’ and a great selection of jokes, comic strips and lavatorial gags. Just like the magazine, really.