CrocodileJock: Wenlock and Mandeville

Right. I wanted to have a little breathing space before I spouted my opinions on Wenlock and Mandeville. I think first impressions are really useful, and as the band the Impressions memorably said, they are often lasting impressions. But sometimes a little time for reflection is helpful too.

So, first impressions; I'm impressed. They look good. They're very now. They're cool. The names are fantastic (and actually mean something – Wenlock / Mandeville). They've got a great back story. Kid's will love them.

And, after sleeping on it, I don't like them anymore. I LOVE them. OK, they may look a bit like Mike from Monsters Inc, but there's a reason for the one eye thing. Oops, sorry it's not an eye, it's a camera. Kinda appropriate seeing as the UK has the most CCTV in the world. Actually, there's a reason for pretty much everything about Wenlock and Mandeville… every aspect of their appearance has been carefully thought through, and they have even been born with fully formed personalities. As the character charts below explain perfectly, I won't retell their stories, but suffice it to say they are there, and they are compelling. Nice work Iris.

These are characters designed for the digital age, and if they do look a bit like Pixar characters, that's not a bad thing. I'm sure there will be lots of Little Englanders wondering why we haven't got a Lion (like 1966's World Cup Willie I suppose – although he's still fairly cool), a Bulldog or a Beefeater, but these guys have been developed for the world. Actually, if you want patriotism, it is there… you can't get much more patriotic that the characters wrapped in the Union flag. I can see Wenlock and Mandeville getting up to all sorts of sporting related endeavours, and really appealing to kids, and big kids like me. And you can bet your bottom dollar the merchandising is going to be mad. T-shirts and mini-figres will lead the way, but they're already talking about things like video cameras (think Flip) created in the shape of these guys.

But the best thing about them? The names. As English as Wallace and Gromit. Or as Danny Baker (quoting Vivian Stanshall of course) is wont to put it "English as tuppence, changing yet changeless as canal water, nestling in green nowhere, armoured and effete, bold flag-bearer, lotus-fed Miss Havishambling opsimath and eremite…" Inspired.

And they've got their own website, Twitter feed, and Facebook page too. Obviously.

Enough about what I think. What do you think? If you've never left a comment on my blog before, please do now. It's time.