Zig & Zag magazine issue 1, 1994

 

Zig & Zag were puppet sidekicks on channel 4's weekday morning show The Big Breakfast. Zig & Zag were alien twins from the planet Zog and first featured on TBB in 1992. Over the next few years at the height of their popularity they released all sorts of different merch including annuals, keyrings, plush toys, books, comics, stationery, clothes and videos. They even released their own song in 1995 which was a top 5 hit in the UK chart as well as featuring in the adverts for Yoplait yoghurts!

Britannia music leaflet, 1997

 

I remember whenever these leaflets came in the middle of a magazine (which happened often) I would always painstakingly choose which 5 albums I'd pick if I was to hypothetically sign up. I would always (and continue to now I have re-seen this) get annoyed at whoever decided which albums went into which category, they did a terrible job. Looking back it was a pretty cool idea though- a music subscription where you got albums mail ordered to your door every month. To be honest I think most people signed up just for the introductory offer that was it, and I am surprised they went on for as long as they did as I'm guessing they unwittingly gave away a LOT of free stuff.

Rambo book 1985

 

I don't know why Rambo has different skin colour on his face and neck compared to his body, but this man knows no fear, he can fight a croc AND think of multiple quips at the same time. Impressive.

Barbie annual 1988

 

In my humble opinion the 1988 edition is the worst of the Barbie annuals. Most of it is filled with generic comics (like you'd find in Bunty) rather than actual Barbie content. The majority of the book is in black and white too.

Count Duckula annual 1991

 

Did you know that the Count Duckula cartoon about a vegetarian vampire duck was a spin off of Danger Mouse? I did not! He was a recurring villain in Danger Mouse and got his own cartoon in 1988, which ran for 4 series up until 1993- there were 65 episodes in total. The count had no fangs and his fave food was broccoli sandwiches.

Kellogg's stuff 90s

 

Rest in peace Ricicles and the humble cereal toy. Never forgotten.

Kerrang Magazine June 1997

 

One of my favourite ever issues of Kerrang- what an iconic cover.

Madballs annual 1987

 

For real one of my favourite annuals in my collection- the comics are really fun and it's full of cool illustrations. The page where you write your name at the front proclaims "This ghastly, gruesome, gross and grimly gut-wrenching book belongs to" whoever wrote that was very talented and probably used a thesaurus.

Smash Hits June 1992

 

Love the Groove-o-meter and agree with it 100%

Babysitters Club book covers

 

My main memory from reading Babysitters Club books was the obsession with having sleepovers like the girls did, and the elusive cookie dough they would always eat at their sleepovers alongside their pizza. (cookie dough was never a thing in the UK until fairly recently!) I am still a big fan of the slightly dodgily drawn covers- these ones are definitely more on the good side of the hundreds (213 to be precise!) that were realised during the 90s. Stacey was embroiled in a lot of mysteries...

Barbie annual 1989