downthetubes contributor and comics archivist Richard Sheaf has shared plenty of strange British comic one shots and short-lived titles over on his brilliant Boys Adventure Blog, and while his recent coverage of Gilbert’s Fridge intrigued, I think it’s more than out trumped by Marvel UK’s 1982 Not the World Cup: The Official Souvenir Brochure…
With a cover by 2000AD artist John Higgins, the magazine includes a three page strip by Roy of the Rovers artist Barrie Mitchell, written by Alan Moore.
Written at a time when Moore was writing strips for various British annuals, including The Dukes of Hazard, it’s not likely to be regarded as his best, but what’s not to like about a strip centring on a television interview between Ted Drinkproblem and “the controversial star player of the Republic of Santa Mafiosa, Ricardo del Wolverine,” who shares a variety of helpful football tips such as how best to foul opposing players.
He also suggests scoring goals is best accomplished by calmly showing the goalkeeper a photograph of his family being menaced by a mobster with a tommy gun is a pretty funny.
As you settle down for your World Cup marathon, enjoy this flashback to what was probably a highlight of the 1982 tournament… at least, for comic fans!
• Richard’s Boys Adventure Blog is at boysadventurecomics.blogspot.com
• More about Alan Moore’s more obscure work of the 1980s over at Erudition Press
Categories: British Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News