I can't remember exactly why the phrase 'Battle Pig' entered my mind, but I know I was mucking about with my mate Dazzler, who I tease relentlessly about his workout schedule.
See, even right then, there was no need for me to mention the fact that Dazzler loves his gym like a drowning alcoholic loves an oxygen cocktail.
But he *is* Dazzler and he *does* like to pump iron, so it must be mentioned.
Dazzler and I were spitballing on some other topic when the phrase 'Battle Pig' arose.
I just loved the mental picture of a really cute, bubblegum pink porker, wearing an army helmet and carrying a gun. It soon progressed from 'Battle Pig' to 'BATTLE PIG' to 'BATTLE PIG!'.
Problem is, I can't draw, so it took a while before I could corner some artists, thrust paper and pencil into their hands, and demand they bring BATTLE PIG! to cartoony life.
But now, here he is, in all his majesty:
Thanks to my friends Paul (drawing) and Dan (colouring) for donating their skills.
Now I think BATTLE PIG! needs to have his own comic. Or a meme. Or at the very least, some high quality puns. Feel free to add your own suggestions, create your own situational artwork for BATTLE PIG!, make tribute films, etc etc. Let's make BATTLE PIG! the new bee's knees.
I hope you all had a great Christmas, and I wish you a happy, BATTLE PIG!-y 2013