The Beano is celebrating its 80th Anniversary.

According to a report in The Independent, “The Beano … now sells more than 37,500 copies a week, or 1.86 million copies a year. In a comic market which has dropped by approximately 10 per cent in the same period, these figures are somewhere in the region of miraculous, yet simple testimony to publishers DC Thomson’s knowledge of their market. “Online traffic has grown 900 per cent in the last year,” says Stirling. “Two million kids use the site, which is the number of kids who read the comic itself back in the 1950s.”

This week’s anniversary issue is guest-edited by David Walliams.

Iain Sawbridge, chief marketing and content officer at Beano Studios, told The Independent he thought the Beano success is partly down to the fact that much of the entertainment industry still hasn’t found a way of replicating what The Beano got right more than 60 years ago. “The reality is, the media industry doesn’t ‘think kid’ enough” he says. “So children aren’t always getting the entertainment experiences they deserve in broadcast or digital environments, and the digital world where older kids now spend most of their time isn’t made for 6 to 12s.” That strikes me as very true. 

He goes on.. ““Gaming, YouTube and social media are largely designed for 13 and over, and yet children now spend more time online than on television. Why aren’t there more places made for them, with content they love and environments that are safe? That’s why we created beano.com and our YouTube channel, to complement The Beano comic.”

Long live The Beano in all its forms.

photo taken on ACHUKA’s recent visit to the Phoenix

With a string of celebrity endorsements from Britain’s best loved children’s writers, including Philip Pullman, Michael Morpurgo and Jacqueline Wilson, the success of The Phoenix marks the welcome return of the classic British comic. Launched in 2012, and rated ‘the second best comic in the world’ by Time Magazine, 30th October 2015 will be a defining moment for The Phoenix when it publishes Issue 200; the first independent comic in the country to reach that issue since 1969.

“The Phoenix Comic is such a treat. Each week, there are stories and illustrations to appeal to all tastes. The stories are funny, thrilling, colourful and a joy to read. It truly is a comic for everyone. Here’s to the next 200 issues and beyond. Happy reading!”
MALORIE BLACKMAN, Children’s Laureate 2013-2015

“I love the Phoenix. It stimulates the mind, sharpens the appetite, refreshes the soul. It celebrates that wonderful marriage between words and pictures that gave birth to the comics form at the very beginning of the twentieth century, and which has produced so much delight ever since. Its blend of excitement and wit and sheer raucous fun is exactly what readers need today and will go on needing as long as human beings love stories. Viva The Phoenix!!”
PHILIP PULLMAN

“Happy 200th issue Phoenix ..wishing you many many happy returns and hoping that today is as packed with fun and brilliance as … well as a copy of the Phoenix!”
FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE

“I don’t know if you can describe how I feel when I see a new Phoenix. It’s like there’s a big firework inside me and it goes off, and I just have to read it.”
MATHILDE, AGED 8

A milestone in the history of the British comic, The Phoenix 200th issue celebrations will include an array of exciting new comic strips, exclusive strips from young Phoenix readers, new partnerships and involvement from the most celebrated names in British publishing. As well as endorsements and support from children’s authors including Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman and Frank Cottrell Boyce, issue 200 will feature an exclusive front cover created by Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell and a trail for a new strip launching in 2016 called Philip Pullman’s John Blake by Philip Pullman and Fred Fordham.

Alongside established favourites like Mega Robo Bros by Neill Cameron, The Adventures of Von Doogan by Lorenzo Etherington, Corpse Talk by Adam Murphy and Evil Emperor Penguin by Laura Ellen Anderson, Issue 200 of The Phoenix will feature two new series; a new action comedy called Battle Suit Bea about a girl who finds a robot-suit from Bunny Vs Monkey artist Jamie Smart; St. Georgia and the Ends of the World by Robin Boyden, a story set in a medieval world and featuring Georgia, a genius inventor girl plus two exclusive strips from young Phoenix readers, Jordan Vigay, 14 and Jonny Toons, 11 who are already creating their own comics inspired by The Phoenix. Their involvement will launch a new Phoenix Search for a Star competition where a young Phoenix reader will see their story published in the magazine in early 2016. Entries are open from Issue 200 and will close by the end of November. Further information will be available on www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk

Tom Fickling, Editor of The Phoenix says: “One of the most important things to us at The Phoenix is to encourage children to use their imaginations to create their own comic stories. Jordan and Jonny are both young talents who have a passion for making comics and I’ve lost count of the amazing number of things they’ve sent in or shown me. Issue 200 is a chance for us to support them and inspire other children to get creating!”

The Phoenix is also delighted to announce a new partnership with children’s charity READATHON, which encourages millions of children to read and raises money for children in hospital through its sponsored reading event in schools. Copies of The Phoenix will be inserted into Readathon schools kits with special subscription rates and a free prize draw that will include comic workshops and goody bags of Phoenix Presents books titles. In addition, The Phoenix will announce a designated comic artist who will take the Readathon in Residence role working with children in a hospital for one year.

Tom Fickling, Editor of THE PHOENIX says: “Readathon have a long and proud heritage of helping children to develop the reading habit. As raising literacy levels for all children is a central goal for The Phoenix I can’t think of a better partner for us to work with. Comics are a great tool for encouraging reluctant readers and research shows that reading leads to a happier and healthier life. So it is vital we establish the reading habit when we are young!”

Justine Daniels, Chief Executive of READATHON says: “We are delighted to be partnering with The Phoenix, a beacon in children’s comics who, like us, recognises there are all sorts of ways for children to start a life-long love of reading. At Readathon, we believe that reading should be fun and that all reading is of value. The Phoenix is a fantastic comic that sparks a child’s imagination and makes reading fun. We encourage pupils to read whatever they fancy when taking part in Readathon’s sponsored read, and for some children, comics are just the ticket.”

The 200th issue also sees The Phoenix being stocked in WH Smith for the first time and the launch of a loyalty scheme for those children who buy the comic weekly from independent booksellers and a twitter takeover by Phoenix artists using the #HappyPhoenix200 hashtag.

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