Happy 30th birthday Viz

14 October 2009

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Sinclair McKay celebrates 30 years of Britain’s funniest, sharpest and most irreverent cartoon. David Cameron need look no further for a perfect picture of broken Britain

The circulation might not be quite what it was 20 years ago — there was a point when Viz was outselling Radio Times, with a million copies per issue — but Thorp is aware of just how loyal long-term Viz readers are. The forthcoming 30th anniversary issue features the return of such old favourites as Roger Irrelevant and Finbarr Saunders. ‘Some characters have continual appeal because they reflect the times,’ Thorp says. ‘Billy the Fish (half-fish, half-goalkeeper, Viz’s surreal answer to Roy of the Rovers) will be competing on Strictly Come Dancing.’

Perhaps average Viz readers now resemble the three-bearded real-ale bores who sometimes appear in the comic. Every time I see someone chortling away at it, it’s a middle-aged man in a jacket and tie. Oh, hold on. That’s me as well.

‘We have had people reading us for a very long time. And convicts,’ Thorp adds helpfully. ‘We had a plaintive letter from a convict recently complaining that he couldn’t get Viz in his prison. We sent him an issue with the proviso that on his release, he must never offend again. We always look out for our incarcerated clientele.’

Thorp is thrilled about the forthcoming Cartoon Museum exhibition. His own favourite artists are H.M. Bateman and Pont. ‘Pont...’ he says wistfully. ‘I only wish I had that subtlety. It’d have to be an accident.’

Too modest! In truth, the needle-sharp satire of Viz — combined with the important fact that it is consistently, howlingly funny — means that it has more than earned its place in the comic pantheon.

The Viz exhibition is at the Cartoon Museum, Little Russell St, London WC1, from 4 November.