Viz Magazine Stars Make Comic Comeback 25 Years After Sid the Sexist Axed
More than a quarter-century after bidding farewell to legendary characters like Roger Mellie, Sid the Sexist, and Billy the Fish, the visionary founders of Viz magazine are staging a remarkable return to the world of comics. Chris and Simon Donald, the creative masterminds behind the iconic publication, have picked up their pencils once again to craft an entirely new universe of humorous figures.
A Nostalgic Revival with Fresh Twists
The brothers have introduced 'Codswallop and Chips', a comic that pays homage to their roots while injecting modern wit. This new venture features an array of quirky characters, including the mischievous 'Saucy Seaman' Captain Codpie, the foul-mouthed Charvas in 'Jamas, and the delightful Robinson Cremebruloe on Dessert Island. The launch coincides with the 800th anniversary celebrations of North Shields, a coastal town located eight miles from their native Newcastle upon Tyne, now renowned as the birthplace of singer Sam Fender.
In a playful nod to their heritage, the comic includes a competition offering a £10 prize to readers who can spot a bin 'sent in by regular reader' Fender. The winner, humorously announced as Fender's dad in upside-down, minuscule text, correctly identified the bin as the one that props open the door in the gents' toilet at the Low Lights car park—a favourite local haunt for the star when he visits home.
Recalling the Halcyon Days of Viz
This revival stirs memories of Viz's golden era, when it emerged as a cultural phenomenon. First sold for just 20p in December 1979 at the Gosforth Hotel in Newcastle, with an initial run of 150 copies, the magazine quickly skyrocketed to become one of the nation's top-selling publications. By the 1990s, its sales peaked at an impressive 1.2 million copies, surpassed only by the Radio Times and TV Times.
Chris, now 65, and Simon, 61, reminisce about rubbing shoulders with comedy luminaries such as Harry Enfield, Paul Whitehouse, Jonathan Ross, and Peter Cook. Their fanbase extended to literary and entertainment figures like writer Jilly Cooper, Michael Palin, Noddy Holder, and Paul Daniels. The magazine's influence was so profound that a 'top tip' about delaying planes at airports even prompted an interview with Scotland Yard.
Celebrity Tributes and Creative Collaborations
The Donalds' talents garnered a legion of celebrity admirers, with Adrian Edmondson and Steve Coogan among those paying tribute. Chris fondly recalls actor Sean Bean participating in one of the Jackie magazine-style 'True Romances', while Jonathan Ross contributed material for his early chat show, 'The Last Resort'. Chris modestly notes, 'Harry Enfield owes his entire career to us. He was nobody until we came along to help him.'
Their journey began humbly in the late 1970s, with Chris, then 19, and Simon, just 15, printing and selling copies around Newcastle's pubs and bars. Initially photocopied at a loss, demand surged as production costs fell. Virgin Media eventually offered a publishing deal, propelling them to sell over a million copies ten times a year during their peak in the 1980s and 1990s.
Life After Viz and New Ventures
In 1999, Chris stepped down as editor at age 39 to pursue passions like working at Barter Books in Alnwick, living in a railway station, and opening a restaurant in another former station—reflecting his avid trainspotting hobby. Simon departed around four years later, acquiring a large house in Jesmond and a fleet of Minis. While speculation swirled about them becoming millionaires from the magazine's sale, both brothers laugh off the notion, citing various ventures that consumed their earnings.
The pressure of deadlines and the relentless quest for new ideas eventually took its toll. Simon explored stand-up comedy, television writing, and a music career, documenting encounters with heroes like Alan Shearer and Noel Gallagher in his memoir, 'Him off the Viz'.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Working alongside collaborators like Graham Dury and Davey Jones, the brothers addressed the need for more female readership by creating characters such as Mili-Tant, the militant feminist, and 'The Fat Slags' San and Tray. Chris recalls the inspiration: 'I was walking past a bus stop when I saw girls arguing over a fella... it sparked the idea for characters that stereotype a night on the town.' They acknowledge that these creations might not survive in today's politically correct climate.
While 'Codswallop and Chips' hasn't inspired a full-time return to comics, the Donalds hint at potential stand-up comedy revivals, possibly under the playful moniker 'Donald Trumps', a nod to the classic Johnny Fartpants. Their latest work, commissioned by The Globe Gallery for the North Shields 800 Festival, is available for purchase, keeping their irreverent spirit alive for a new generation.
