New York, NY—November 9, 2017—Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, today announced the North American launch of The Phoenix, a weekly, all-ages anthology comic to be released in digital editions as part of the U.S. David Fickling Books imprint.

Founded in 2012, The Phoenix has been the preeminent weekly story comic in the United Kingdom, known for its unique mix of serialized adventure stories, humor strips and puzzles. Every issue of The Phoenix backlist is now digitally available in the U.S., and Scholastic will publish each new weekly issue digitally in the U.S. through comiXology. To celebrate the launch, Scholastic is offering issues #1 and #2 as a free double issue download until November 14, 2017.

“As The Phoenix grew in popularity in the U.K, we began exploring ways to bring the weekly issues to North America. Every issue is an exciting surprise of ingenious comics and we realized that publishing online would be an ideal way to engage kids on a weekly basis with a wide range of content and characters,” said Lori Benton, Vice President and Group Publisher, Scholastic Trade Publishing. “It’s also a gateway for us to introduce new talents and grow an even larger audience.”

Scholastic is also excited to publish The Phoenix comics in larger physical compendiums which will roll out alongside the digital publication of individual Phoenix comics. These mega-comic bind-ups combine various strips from The Phoenix Weekly to include a variety of different humorous, informative, action-packed, and brain teasing stories in a tailored format. They will be published in paperback at 208 pages, full color, with a 7 x 9 3/4 trim. The bind-ups collect 9-10 individual issues into one book, featuring 6 different strips and giving readers the opportunity to sample their favorites. Scholastic will publish these bind-ups on a seasonal basis twice a year beginning with The Phoenix Colossal Comics Collection: Volume One on March 27, 2018.

“The Phoenix is a creative volcano of amazing ideas where brilliant new creators can bring wonderful original stories to young readers everywhere,” said David Fickling, Editor and Publisher. “We are deeply and passionately committed to great story-making!”

“The Phoenix is the weekly comic I wish I’d had when I was a kid,” added Tom Fickling, Editor and Managing Director of The Phoenix. “We want The Phoenix to become culturally important like the other great names in comics. Also, considering that as a boy the thing I wanted more than anything else in the world was to be American I’m ludicrously excited that The Phoenix is coming to the USA!”

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About The Phoenix
The Phoenix launched in 2012, and was the first independent comic in the U.K. since 1969 to be free of advertising, featuring only exciting stories and beautiful, original artwork. It has since been voted No. 2 in TIME Magazine’s global list of “Top Comics and Graphic Novels.” The comic recently published its 300th issue in the U.K., making it the first independent comic in over 40 years to do so. The idea behind it is a Mad Magazine for younger comics and graphic novel readers, offering a buffet table of laugh-out-loud, informative, adventure-filled strips. The list of artists and contributors includes Philip Pullman, Neill Cameron, Jamie Smart, Chris Riddell, Laura Ellen Anderson, Rob Deas, James Turner, and Zak Simmonds-Hurn.

The Phoenix has been the source of several comics published by Graphix, with contributors going on to publish such works as Bunny vs. Monkey, Gary’s Garden, Evil Emperor Penguin, How to Make Awesome Comics, Mega Robo Bros, and The Adventures of John Blake.

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of core literacy curriculum and professional services, and a producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, classroom magazines and other products and services that support children's learning both in school and at home. With operations in 14 international offices and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom collections, school and public libraries, retail and online. True to its mission of 97 years to encourage the personal and intellectual growth of all children beginning with literacy, the Company has earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

Scholastic Media contact:
Lauren Donovan
Director of Publicity
212-389-3786
ldonovan@scholastic.com