The latest issue of The Phoenix (Issue 131), on sale today, features the second chapter of “Tamsin and the Deep”, written by Neill Cameron and drawn by Kate Brown, who says she based the visuals of the evil mermaid around “some kind of offpsring between some seaweed and a moray eel”. Creepy!
In case you’ve not been paying attention, The Phoenix is a subscription-based comic aimed at 9-12 year old readers with limited news stand distribtion at present (it’s sold in Waitrose and some Forbidden Planet stores, and available digitally through a fantastic app on iTunes, created by Panel Nine) but the editorial team have big plans to promote itself in coming months, including ongoing workshops at comic conventions such as the lakes International Comic Art Festival and elsewhere – and a great new subscription offer which enables you to subscribe for six weeks fro just £1!
“In the UK at least, we don’t have many comics aimed at this age range (at all),” notes Kate on her tumblr, “so we strive for clarity above everything else in terms of storytelling. The regular feedback is that most of these kids have never read a comic before, and the Phoenix makes them really, really, really excited about the medium.”
• The Phoenix is at www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk
• Subscribe to The Phoenix for just £1 for the first six issues of your subscription here
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, downthetubes Comics News, Featured News