The Phoenix Issue Zero Via Waitrose

By John Freeman on November 18, 2011

The first issue of the new Phoenix comic is due to come out on at the start of January 2012 however Waitrose supermarket customers are being given the change to get a sneak preview with a printed copy of the Phoenix Issue Zero.

The current issue of Waitrose’s free weekly Waitrose Weekend publication has The Phoenix featured on its front cover and a four page centrespread pull-out all about the new comic. In addition there is a printed code in the pull-out that, when put into the appropriate page of The Phoenix website, allows readers to get a free copy of the preview issue zero.

Emphasising the University of Illinois’ findings that comics are as good as books at helping children to read, the Waitrose Weekend describes Phoenix as “published weekly at £2.99, the 32-page comic has at least seven story strips in every issue, plus a puzzle competition and a non-fiction strip on a new topic each week.” Phoenix editor Ben Sharpe is quoted as saying, “We’re making The Phoenix for all 8- to 11-year-olds; boys and girls. But really it’s for everyone. Children will have their favourite strips, but so will kids in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond!”

The pull-out also introduces readers to the Phoenix characters of Monkey from Jamie Smart’s Bunny and Monkey, Sophie Delcourt from Daniel Hartwell & Neill Cameron’s Pirates Of Pangea, Castanet from the Etherington brothers Long Gone Don and Kate Brown’s amnesiac child in The Lost Boy.

It also gives details of various subscription options for The Phoenix ranging from a full year down to a five issue taster. These are also available on the subscriptions page of the The Phoenix website.

There are more details about The Phoenix on the comic’s website.

The Phoenix Issue Zero is available by entering the Waitrose code and your details into the Waitrose page.

John Freeman

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.