''Skank'' was a British satirical magazine published between 1994 and 1997 by Acreforce Ltd, an offshoot of X Press. It was aimed primarily at younger British Blacks.

History

''Skank'' was launched in April 1994. It was co-written and edited by Bobby Joseph, and drawn by Daniel Francis, Joseph Samuels and Michael Robinson. It was published by Acreforce Ltd, a publishing label set up by publisher and BBC journalist

Dotun Adebayo Oludotun Davey Moore "Dotun" Adebayo (born 25 August 1959) is a British radio presenter, writer, and publisher. He is best known for his work on ''Up All Night (radio show), Up All Night'' on BBC Radio 5 Live, as well as the former obituary pr ...

as an offshoot of X Press. ''Skank'' ended its run in March 1997, as a result of being sued by the runner

Linford Christie Linford Christie (born 2 April 1960) is a Jamaican-born British former Sprint (running), sprinter and athletics coach. He is the only British man to have won gold medals in the 100 metres at all four major competitions open to British athletes ...

over the cartoon "Lunch-box Christie". Joseph went on to found a new magazine, '' Black Eye'', which he regarded as the successor to ''Skank''.

Content

''Skank'' was one of numerous comics similar to '' Viz''. It has been dubbed the "Ragga ''Viz''" or the "Black" ''Viz''.

Paul Gravett Paul Gravett is a London-based journalist, curator, writer, and broadcaster who has worked in comics publishing since 1981. He is the founder of ''Escape (magazine), Escape'' magazine, and for many years wrote a monthly article on comics appear ...

has described it as "the first adult comic by and about British blacks". ''Skank'' examined the Black British experience in the 1990s. It pushed the boundaries of taste but also explored political satire, social commentary, sexism, homophobia, racism, and police brutality. Like ''Viz'', ''Skank'' featured comic strips, photo strips, joke articles, and celebrity references. It featured popular comic characters satirising Black communities of London, such as "Mary Mampy" – a "bad gyal" from Peckham; "The Fugitive", a baby father on the run from his numerous baby mothers; "Scotland Yardie" – a Jamaican no-nonsense cop; "Rachel Prejudice" – a subtle dig at Black sell-outs; "White Galfriend", a look at mixed-race relationships; "Malcolm Vex", a frustrated revolutionary; and "Wendy Weave-on", a spoilt supermodel with baldness issues. Spoof news stories frequently appeared in ''Skank'', such as "Government ban on Ugly Women", "Pubic Weave Extensions", "Free Ganja competitions", and "Yam Throwing - new Olympic Sport announced". The magazine satirised the Brixton riots of 1981, and mocked Black celebrities such as Christie and the boxer Chris Eubank.

References

External links

"In the beginning"
Skank1.com {{Authority control 1994 establishments in the United Kingdom 1997 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Black British culture in London Black British mass media Comics magazines published in the United Kingdom Defunct magazines published in the United Kingdom Magazines established in 1994 Magazines disestablished in 1997 Magazines published in London Satirical magazines published in the United Kingdom