The team at The Phoenix – the weekly subscription-based humour and adventure comic that sprang from the demise of The DFC back in 2012 – are, quite deservedly, celebrating this week as it reaches its 150th issue.
It’s been nearly three years since the very first issue was sent out to eager subscribers and since then the title has gone from strength to strength, slowly building its audience despite only limited news stand exposure (the comic is sold through supermarket chain Waitrose and some comic shops on a regular basis).
Popular strips in the brilliant comic include “Bunny versus Monkey” by Jamie Smart, “Corpse Talk” by Adam Murphy, “Evil Emperor Penguin” by Laura Anderson. “Gary’s Garden” by Gary Northfield, “Pirates of Pangea” by Dannie Hartwell and Neill Cameron and “Star Cat” by James Turner (to name but a few – other contributors include Kate Brown, John and Patrice Aggs, Lorenzo & Robin Etherington and many others!)
The big 150 arrives tomorrow, which means the Oxford-based editorial team have published 4800 pages of The Phoenix. That’s a meaty 190.5kg of comic goodness!
“We want to save the big celebrations for issue 200 next year, but we’re still pretty chuffed,” a Phoenix spokesperson said, “So a huge thank you to all of you. We only got this far because of your support!”
Here’s to plenty more issues! Subscriptions make excellent Christmas presents…
Congratulations to everyone involved at David Fickling Books and all the creators on reaching this landmark issue!
• Visit The Phoenix comic web site for subscription offers, free downloads of comic goodness and much more: www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics
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