VIZ MAGAZINE – MAY 2021 – ISSUE 305 – ORIGINAL BRITISH HUMOUR COMIC

Original Viz Magazine, Issue 305, May 2021, featuring a colourful, traditional British waterways-themed front cover with an elaborate cartoon steam-powered boat, eccentric characters, wildlife and humorous references to fox hunting.

This edition features the familiar oversized VIZ masthead against a purple and pale-blue background, accompanied by the headline "Win a Fantastic Fox-Hunting Starter Kit!"

The cover also advertises several established Viz comic-strip characters, including Baxter Basics, Raffles, Mr Logic, Fru T Bunn, Mrs Brady and Gilbert Ratchet.

An interesting collectable for enthusiasts of British humour magazines, satirical cartoons and the distinctive comic artwork associated with Viz.

MAGAZINE DETAILS

• Publication: Viz Magazine

• Issue Number: 305

• Publication Date: May 2021

• Original UK Cover Price: £3.20

• Language: English

• Format: Printed comic magazine

• Genre: British humour, satire, parody and comic strips

• Condition: Pre-owned – visible handling and storage wear

• SKU: 1574

FRONT COVER – DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The front cover features an elaborate, brightly coloured cartoon illustration depicting an eccentric steam-powered pleasure boat travelling along a river.

The artwork uses pale blues, greens, yellows, purples and oranges, creating a deliberately cheerful countryside scene filled with exaggerated characters and absurd visual details.

Steam-Powered Riverboat

The central illustration shows a small, old-fashioned boat travelling through choppy blue water.

The boat features:

• A black hull with decorative cream and yellow trim.

• A small mechanical engine and paddle-wheel arrangement.

• An ornate red-and-cream striped canopy.

• Decorative rope supports.

• A tall chimney topped with a golden crown-shaped ornament.

• Traditional-looking mechanical equipment and wooden fittings.

• The number 305 prominently displayed on the front paddle-wheel housing.

The boat's exaggerated construction combines elements of a Victorian steam launch, a pleasure cruiser and a cartoon contraption.

White spray and foaming waves surround the vessel as it moves through the water.

Eccentric Boat Passenger

Seated beneath the canopy is a cartoon gentleman wearing a light-coloured suit, red bow tie and striped boating hat.

He is reclining in a deckchair with his legs stretched out in front of him.

The character has an exaggerated red nose, prominent ears and a relaxed expression.

He appears to be holding a cigarette while enjoying the journey.

A large gramophone-style horn and various mechanical fittings are illustrated behind him, adding to the boat's deliberately old-fashioned appearance.

Boat Operator

At the rear of the boat stands another eccentric character wearing a tall orange top hat and a purple bow tie.

He is positioned beside the machinery and appears to be operating the unusual vessel.

The character's oversized nose, expressive eyes and elaborate clothing contribute to the traditional British comic-strip style.

River Wildlife

The foreground features several animals swimming around the boat.

These include:

• A mallard duck with a green head and brown-and-grey body.

• Several small yellow ducklings following through the water.

• A large white swan with a long curved neck.

The ducks are surrounded by exaggerated white foam and splashing water.

The swan occupies the lower-right portion of the illustration and provides a humorous contrast to the chaotic mechanical boat.

Countryside Background

The riverbank features green grass, reeds, bushes and a lightly wooded countryside setting.

Two elaborately dressed cartoon women stand beside the water.

One wears a pink dress with a bonnet and decorative frills, while the other wears a pale cream outfit with a matching hat.

Both are shown making exaggerated gestures towards the boat.

A picnic basket and a cooking pot are illustrated nearby, adding further comic details to the countryside scene.

MAIN COVER HEADLINE – FOX-HUNTING STARTER KIT

The upper portion of the magazine features the prominent headline:

"Tally Ho! Win a Fantastic Fox-Hunting Starter Kit!"

A small cartoon horse and rider appear alongside the headline.

The upper-right corner features a humorous illustration of a traditional hunting hat and equipment.

The accompanying wording advertises a fictional prize package consisting of:

• A top hat.

• A trumpet.

• A red coat.

• Forty dogs.

The promotion is presented in Viz's characteristic satirical style, parodying traditional countryside pursuits and exaggerated magazine competitions.

The artwork and wording are part of the printed magazine cover and do not indicate that any such equipment is included with the item.

COMIC STRIPS & FEATURES ADVERTISED

The lower section of the cover lists a selection of recurring Viz comic-strip characters and features.

Baxter Basics

A comic feature advertised prominently along the bottom of the cover.

Raffles

Another recurring comic-strip character associated with Viz's exaggerated British humour.

Mr Logic

One of Viz's recognisable characters, known for taking excessively literal and complicated approaches to ordinary situations.

Fru T Bunn

A further comic character advertised in the issue.

Mrs Brady

An established Viz comic-strip character appearing among the advertised features.

Gilbert Ratchet

A recurring character whose name appears in the lower cover listings.

Grassy Knollington

Another humour feature advertised on the cover.

Nash

A further character or feature listed along the lower section.

The magazine also advertises its familiar Letterbocks, Top Tips and Roger's Profanisaurus features.

These sections contribute to the publication's distinctive mixture of reader contributions, comic-strip humour, parody and satirical observations.

SPECIAL FEATURE – THE GOD PARTICLE

A large yellow banner across the bottom of the cover advertises:

"Religion and Science Meet in... THE GOD PARTICLE!"

The title is presented in oversized red lettering with a white outline.

The feature appears to combine religious and scientific subject matter in the magazine's characteristic satirical style.

A small black-and-white cartoon illustration appears at the lower-right corner, depicting two figures beside a wheeled contraption.

The illustration includes exaggerated character designs and mechanical details consistent with the magazine's traditional cartoon artwork.

ABOUT VIZ MAGAZINE

Viz is a long-running British adult humour publication recognised for its irreverent comic strips, fictional characters, satire and parodies of everyday life.

The magazine has developed a distinctive visual identity through exaggerated cartoon artwork, bold lettering and humorous interpretations of British popular culture.

This May 2021 issue continues that tradition with a colourful riverboat-themed front cover and references to traditional countryside pursuits.

The magazine may appeal to collectors interested in:

• British humour magazines.

• Viz Magazine back issues.

• Traditional British comic-strip artwork.

• Satirical cartoons and parody.

• Collectable comedy publications.

• British popular culture.

• Early 2020s comic magazines.

• Distinctive illustrated magazine covers.

Please note: Only the front cover has been supplied for inspection. The complete internal contents and individual pages have not been verified.

CONDITION – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Pre-owned magazine showing visible signs of previous handling and storage.

The following observations are based on the supplied photograph.

Front Cover

The original illustrated front cover is present and retains strong, colourful printing.

The large VIZ masthead, riverboat illustration, publication date and issue number remain clearly visible.

There are minor surface marks and light handling wear across the cover.

Spine

The left-hand spine shows visible rubbing and handling wear.

Small white stress marks are noticeable along the folded edge, particularly around the middle and lower sections.

There are minor creases and signs of repeated handling.

The spine appears generally aligned, although the complete internal binding has not been inspected.

Top Edge

The upper edge shows slight waviness and minor handling wear.

The top-left corner has a small amount of bending and rubbing.

The top-right corner also shows light wear.

Corners

The corners display general age-related and handling wear.

The bottom-left corner has slight rubbing and softening.

The bottom-right corner shows a small amount of bending and edge wear.

Cover Surface

The cover retains its colourful appearance.

Light surface scuffs, minor marks and handling-related creasing are visible.

The printed artwork and lettering remain clear.

Bottom Edge

The lower edge shows minor rubbing and slight unevenness.

There is light wear around the bottom corners.

Binding & Interior

The magazine appears intact externally, but the internal pages and binding have not been individually examined.

The complete page count and condition of every internal page cannot be confirmed from the supplied photograph.

Overall Condition

A pre-owned copy with general handling and storage wear, most noticeable around the spine, edges and corners.

The front cover remains colourful and visually appealing, with the principal artwork and text clearly readable.

Please examine the supplied photograph carefully, as it forms an important part of the condition description.

IMPORTANT – ORIGINAL EXTRAS & FREE GIFTS

This listing is for the magazine only.

Any original free gifts, promotional items, loose inserts, supplementary booklets, additional publications or other accessories that may originally have accompanied this issue are no longer included.

Only the magazine shown in the photograph is included in the sale.

PACKAGING & POSTAGE

We take care when packaging collectable magazines to help minimise the risk of damage during transit.

UK Orders: The magazine will be dispatched in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: The magazine will be dispatched in a sturdy cardboard mail-size box for additional protection during international shipping.

PLEASE NOTE

You will receive the actual magazine shown in the photograph.

This is an original pre-owned publication, not a reproduction.

Viz Magazine is an adult-oriented British humour publication and may contain satire, strong language and mature comic themes.

Please review the photograph and condition information carefully before purchasing.

SKU: 1574