The Next Issue promo page in OiNK #65 elicited a level of excitement I didn’t know was still possible by this daft, silly comic after 35 years since publication and over two years of this read through. But Lew Stringer had an announcement to make and, alongside Pete Throb and his brilliant takes on Horace (Ugly Face) Watkins and Uncle Pigg, Pigswilla was the star and he was returning in the next issue with a huge nine-page strip! Although, “raunchy”? (That part would’ve been added by co-editor Patrick Gallagher.)
According to Lew this image was originally intended as a cover but was used in this context instead. A shame, but at least we got to see it. The strip itself was definitely one of the biggest highlights of these six monthly OiNKs. In fact, all of Lew’s strips in #66 are reasons to splash out on this issue if you see it on eBay, with Pete and his Pimple getting Lost in Space and Tom Thug making children’s humour comics history! Plus, one of the funniest OiNK strips ever comes from Kev F Sutherland, one I’ve been particularly looking forward to seeing again. You can see these highlights and more in the full review from Sunday 20th August 2023.
Readers flicking to the back page of the latest OiNK back in 1988 may have let out a little piggy squeal of excitement when they saw the return of The Street-Hogs was almost here! Last appearing way back in #35, their return had been hinted at in the weeklies as one of a few new serials to come, but since then of course OiNK has gone through something of a facelift and so the entire story was printed in one issue! I can remember the excitement the moment ten-year-old me realised I could read it all at once when I flicked through the issue before reading it.
Promo art by J.T. Dogg
Surely there couldn’t be anything else in this issue that would be as memorable as that? Actually, there’s a first for a humour comics character which was kind of a big deal, at least for the remainder of the issues of OiNK. It’s right there in the caption on the bottom-right. I’m sure pig pals will remember which one I’m referring to. The next OiNK review will be right here this Sunday 16th July 2023. I can’t wait!
This Sunday on the blog OiNK returns at last after what feels like a small lifetime since the last issue. As a child it did take some time getting used to only having one issue every four or five weeks but when the big, fat comics arrived they made the wait worth it. Another 48 pages of prime pork awaits, but what does it contain?
Promo art by David Haldane
The Next issue promo would have you believe there’d be a starring role for David Haldane‘s Torture Twins, but in actual fact this was just a funny promotional piece (the twins would have their usual half-page strip). What we do get is the return of Police Vet who was first seen in The OiNK! Book 1988 and a couple of memorable OiNK additions in the shape of a John McCrea pencilled strip and a page that would go on to be read out in the House of Commons! Check back anytime from Sunday 18th June 2023 to see that one.
Since the last OiNK Holiday Special a few other special editions of our favourite comic have been released, namely the OiNK Crash Edition, The OiNK! Book 1988 and the OiNK Smokebuster Special and now it’s time for the latest. The second big, thick Holiday Special really stands out on its glossy paper after the paper stock changed for the regular comic in the past six months. This edition has 48 pages stuffed with prime pork and was released this week 35 years ago, announced on Patrick Gallagher‘s Grunts page in #56 by the sizzling bacon that was our editor, Uncle Pigg.
That same issue contained this promo drawn by Eric ‘Wilkie’ Wilkinson full to the brim with terrible puns and a fishy take on Cliff Richard‘s summertime hit which was already 25 years old by this point, although it was still just as popular on radio station playlists this time of year. Watch out for a special bonus from Hadrian Vile after we’d just come to terms with his diary basically ending in the weekly, Weedy Willy getting some unexpected athletic workouts in and there’s another one of those classic wordy Burp strips taking in the wonders of the universe in his inimitable style.
Also, for those long trips with the family there’s a superb board game by Frank Sidebottom, or if you prefer some quiet time you can try your hand at some OiNK puzzles to keep you (pork) scratching your head while taking a break from your loved ones on a lengthy trip to the loo. The full review will be here in just two days, on Wednesday 29th March 2023. Get the sun tan lotion ready, it’s going to be a scorcher.
Way back in the mists of time that was June this year the special edition of OiNK that was given away free with Crash computer gaming magazine teased at a couple of upcoming treats for pig pals. The OiNK 45 record you can check out in its entirety already on the blog. As for the other part of the announcement, I was thrilled to see that plasticine piggy face for the first time in this read through!
Over the course of 1987 little mentions would be placed into some issues, beginning with the first birthday edition in April in a blink-and-you’ll miss it moment on the Grunts letters page, and again in a May issue. Then during the summer half-page teasers began to appear, before finally in the fantastic #36 the first full-page reveal showed us that glorious book cover in full for the very first time!
This brings me so much joy. That cover represents everything about OiNK to me and I can’t wait to share its review with you in a couple of days. The OiNK! Book 1988 is thebest edition of Uncle Pigg‘s comic that was ever produced. How do I know this before the review and before I’ve covered the whole run? Because it’s always been my favourite (with the recent Christmas issue being my fave regular issue) and remains my favourite childhood book to this day. It’s been reread at least once every few years since!
Here it is advertised alongside Fleetway‘s other annuals from 1987. I can remember it standing out so much from all of the other comics annuals on the huge display table in my local newsagent. It was a hugely exciting prospect, but even though it was there in the shop from September, as with all annuals we wouldn’t get our hands on it until Santa brought it to us on Christmasmorning. So that’s when you can expect the review of course!
Promo drawn by Ian Jackson
The very next day (on Boxing Day) you’ll get even more OiNK in the shape of #44, the second Hogmanay issue and the last fortnightly one. It’s the end of my own personal Golden Age of OiNK (not to take away from what follows of course) and it goes out with a bang, like all years do with their fireworks and parties etc. It’s quite the festive celebration this weekend.
So when you’re full to bursting with turkey, stuffing and sprouts you can kick back, let the kids’ new toys do their job and catch up with The OiNK! Book 1988 on Christmas Day and then see off 1987 all over again with #44 on Boxing Day. Before then there’ll be a quick message from me and Psycho Gran in the evening of Christmas Eve. The holidays are here and so is OiNK, big time!
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