Loaded founder buys Viz

Viz was set up 22 years ago in a bedroom

The man who created men's magazine Loaded and edited glossy title GQ has bought the adult comic Viz, as part of a £6.4m deal.

James Brown bought the title along with John Brown Publishing (JBP) titles Bizarre, a magazine specialising in weird photographs, and The Fortean Times, a publication about the paranormal.

I think it's a work of genius

James Brown on Viz

Viz, which features cartoon strips such as Buster Gonad, Sid the Sexist and the Fat Slags, is published bi-monthly.

Brown said he was a long-time fan of the title and would not be making too many changes.

"I'm chuffed to bits. I used to sell Viz on the streets of Leeds and I worked as a consultant on it two years ago and loved it.

'Brilliant'

"Who wouldn't be chuffed to get to work with the likes of Big Vern and the Fat Slags?

James Brown set up Loaded in 1994

"I think it's a work of genius. The team who write it are brilliant so I won't be changing anything, although we may look to go monthly rather than bi-monthly."

Viz was created by brothers Chris and Simon Donald in a Newcastle bedroom 22 years ago amd has been part of JBP for 18 years.

Brown launched Loaded in 1994 and moved to edit GQ in 1997 before setting up his own company I Feel Good.

Loaded tapped into a men's market obsessed with sex, football and alcohol and quickly established itself in the increasingly-competitive publishing arena.

Brown left GQ after a row over an article which was accused of glorifying Nazis.

His company publishes titles such as Hotdog and the official Leeds United magazine.

John Brown, boss of JBP, said: "James is a big fan of Viz and he is one of the few publishers I'd agree to sell it to.

"Viz, Bizarre and The Fortean Times mean a lot to me, but this deal is good for the company."