Quick flick – Cagoule

If the people behind Britain’s best children’s magazine decided to make a magazine for grown-ups, what would it look like? Well for starters it would probably have a big pair of abstract breasts on the cover.

Cagoule is the new magazine from the makers of Anorak, and the influence of that title is clear to see. There are loads of great illustrations, like these by Matthew the Horse.

The strange nonsense poems (also by Matthew) are good too.

There are creative activities, like this invitation to draw characters. I’m sure they genuinely want me to scrawl over the pages, but when they only printed 1,000 copies that just feels a bit wrong.

And of course there are stories, including two really good, disturbing tales by designer Supermundane. Who knew he could write as well?

It’s whimsical, nonsensical, self-indulgent and absolutely brilliant. Cagoule could very easily have turned out as a weird, disjointed, even plain irritating magazine, but instead it has managed to construct a distinctive take on grown-up fun, and has given me two very enjoyable train journeys as a result.

On the back page editor Cathy explains that they made Cagoule because people asked for it. I’m very glad they did, and I really hope issue two follows soon. If you like the sound of all this, join them for their launch party tomorrow night (Wednesday 14th) at Beach London. See you there!