The Phoenix

[The Doctor]

A new weekly UK kids comic called The Phoenix launched a wee while ago. Distribution in newsstands has been a problem for it though Waitrose apparently carries it. Not that I ever saw a copy in the local one despite many efforts until now but today I found one lonely copy of #18 so gave it a go.

It is rather excellent! Bit of a throwback (in a good way) in that it relies on quality of content rather than being polybagged with random crap toys, etc. Lovely clear design and well written throughout. None of the usual low vocabulary simple line drawing talking down to the readers approach sadly common of much of the UK comics market (ie it is the polar opposite of patronising shit like Doctor Who Adventures). Decent puzzles and a wide variety of strips (humour and adventure tales) with a high quality of art throughout and lots of words on many of the pages. It's a delight, with 'Good Dog, Bad Dog' being a highlight (two dogs investigate crime with typical dry British wit). To be honest, I got enough enjoyment out of it at the age of almost 34! Considering subscribing. I haven't been this impressed and charmed by a new comic since Chew.

You can find out more here: www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk

Free digital sampler: www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk/free-digi-phoenix/

-Ralph

[legios]

I've been wanting to give that a go but haven't been able to find a copy anywhere. If waitrose is the only place you have seen it then this does not surprise me - Falkirk is not really a Waitrose sort of area.

I shall have a look at the digital sampler and see what it is like. I'd like to support a good quality kids comic, lets face it there is little enough quality in that end of the market generally so something like that could do with all the encouragement it can get.

Karl

[The Doctor]

As far as I am aware from following the development of the title, Waitrose is the only bricks and mortars store that carries it. And even then, it took me this long to find a copy in one. I presume it gets by on subs bought from the website.

-Ralph

[The Doctor]

Had no luck finding the following issue so have ordered a taster sub and will have to take my chances with Royal Mail...

-Ralph

[legios]

I think I may be doing that in the near future myself. Having read one issue of it I am feeling a lack of "Good Dog, Bad Dog" in my life.

Karl

[The Doctor]

The strips of 'Good Dog, Bad Dog' which were featured in the defunct The DFC can be found in a collected album here:

www.bookdepository.co.uk/Good-Dog-Bad-Dog-1-Dave-Shelton/9780385618250

I have ordered a copy!

-Ralph

[The Doctor]

Still enjoying The Pheonix. Glad I subscribed. Such fun. I hope it finds a place in the current market.

-Ralph

[The Doctor]

The Phoenix has reached issue 100. A huge achievement in the current UK market, especially as it is sold on content rather than cover mounts.

-Ralph

[Andy Turnbull]

Huzzzah!

Andy

[The Doctor]

It's worth pointing out that The Phoenix had made it to five years. A fine achievement for a proper comic (not covermount supported or a licensed property) in the UK market!

-Ralph

[Andy Turnbull]

Indeed!

Bravo.

[Pinwig]

It's a kind of stealth comic that one; it's infiltrated a lot of school libraries. I've got a subscription for ours and always make sure the latest issue is on the librarian's desk. The fact there are IDW trades in the graphic novel section is also down to me. Oh, and the fact there *is* a graphic novel section.

Mad with the power.

[The Doctor]

Article:

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/how-classic-childrens-comics-gave-way-to-garish-magazines-a7535736.html

-Ralph

[The Doctor]

I found a couple of issues in WH Smiths so I picked them up to see how the title is getting on. It's not really for me in that format (trades suit me more) but it remains a very very good kids comic with lots of variety and good production values and it is still avoiding cover-mounted crap. Long may it continue.

-Ralph

[The Doctor]

I was very surprised to see copies of The Phoenix in Sainsburgeries today (#299). They were in the newspaper section rather than with the comics. With Sainsburgeries also now carrying 2000AD it is nice to see proper comics in reach of where kids go again.

-Ralph