If those kids from TRAINSPOTTING were to draw comics while sailing on pharmaceuticals, the result might be MODERN TOSS. Because everything is funny when you’re high; it’s after the comedown that comedy truly must be judged.
Apparently a sensation upon its UK publication in 2004, Jon Link and Mick Bunnage’s MODERN TOSS is a collection of hastily scrawled (to call them “drawn” would be an insult to the word) cartoons with often non-sequitur dialogue, many featuring the recurring character Mr. Tourette, Master Signwriter. For example, someone wants “Merlin’s World” painted on his castle, but Mr. Tourette instead paints “Piss Wizard.” The resulting exchange between Merlin and Mr. Tourette goes like this: “that is fucking shit” “you cunt, this is SO fucking typical.”
I have an admitted allergy to British humor, but really, does repeated use of the word “cunt” automatically trigger your gigglebox? That’s the stuff of schoolyards.
Other regular TOSSers include “Dogkiller,” who (yes, it’s just that simple) kills dogs; “Customer Services” (example: “this bike I bought off you, ripped my cock off”); and guys who walk their dogs in the “Park” and speak of how long dog shit is.
That’s not to say there aren’t a few laughs to be had, because there are. A few. “Seafood Chain” actually flirts with honest-to-God cleverness, but I’ll save your appetite by sparing you the details.
Word is that MODERN TOSS is in talks with Cartoon Network to adapt its pages for an Adult Swim show. Given that most of Adult Swim’s current lineup reeks of first-draft, wrote-this-while-stoned material demonstrating little ingenuity or imagination, I’m not the least bit surprised. –Rod Lott
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