Post by aubrey on Oct 30, 2009 10:09:53 GMT
OK, it might not be funny as it used to be (according to a note at the front of one of its annuals, Mark E Smith was the first to point this out), but that doesn't mean that is isn't still funny.
I have every issue from about no 7, and every couple of years I read all through them (about due for one now). I have a new one still in its wrapper to read at the hospital today. I think what makes it good - and not offensive - is that its humour comes from below - the working class people it takes the piss out of are seen as equals, and not looked down on: this means (amongst other things) that there are details included that someone who was not a part of it wouldn't notice. Also, I don't thionk I've ever seen the word Chav used in Viz, though most of the characters are archetypal chavs; Viz sees them as people.
I am just the right age for it: the comics it parodies in Felix and his amazing underpants and others were around, or even starting (Whizzer and Chips) when I was about 10. I think a lot of younger people wouldn't know what Felix was really about.
But they use earlier references, as well. The artwork of some strips uses the style of Radio Fun from the 40s and 50s, which makes the characters look as if they're dancing. The artwork in Viz has generally been a lot better than it needs to be, and also a lot better than it's usually given credit for - it's like the way that F Zappa is remembered for his crude lyrics, and not the - sometimes amazingly intricate - music that backed them.
This - Life of Christ in Cats - is one of my favourites - mainly for the Judas cat, who reminds me a lot of one of our cats (no one else here will believe me; but then, he doesn't look at them in that way).
Also, Dr Poo. (Though purists migh quibble - surely Jamie (Joe Sugden) wasn't with Tom Baker? And the voices are nothing like.)
I have every issue from about no 7, and every couple of years I read all through them (about due for one now). I have a new one still in its wrapper to read at the hospital today. I think what makes it good - and not offensive - is that its humour comes from below - the working class people it takes the piss out of are seen as equals, and not looked down on: this means (amongst other things) that there are details included that someone who was not a part of it wouldn't notice. Also, I don't thionk I've ever seen the word Chav used in Viz, though most of the characters are archetypal chavs; Viz sees them as people.
I am just the right age for it: the comics it parodies in Felix and his amazing underpants and others were around, or even starting (Whizzer and Chips) when I was about 10. I think a lot of younger people wouldn't know what Felix was really about.
But they use earlier references, as well. The artwork of some strips uses the style of Radio Fun from the 40s and 50s, which makes the characters look as if they're dancing. The artwork in Viz has generally been a lot better than it needs to be, and also a lot better than it's usually given credit for - it's like the way that F Zappa is remembered for his crude lyrics, and not the - sometimes amazingly intricate - music that backed them.
This - Life of Christ in Cats - is one of my favourites - mainly for the Judas cat, who reminds me a lot of one of our cats (no one else here will believe me; but then, he doesn't look at them in that way).
Also, Dr Poo. (Though purists migh quibble - surely Jamie (Joe Sugden) wasn't with Tom Baker? And the voices are nothing like.)
)
