British comics artist and writer
Woodrow Phoenix is a British comics artist, writer, editorial illustrator, graphic designer, font designer and author of children's books.
Phoenix is best known for "Rumble Strip", published in 2008, a non-fiction look at the difficult social issues arising from society's dependence on the automobile, which was reviewed in the London "Times" as "an utterly original work of genius".
Among his other solo creations, are "The Sumo Family" and "The Liberty Cat". "The Sumo Family" debuted in "Escape" magazine, and was serialised weekly in the "Independent on Sunday" newspaper in the UK, then monthly in both "Manga Mania" magazine, and German/Swiss "Instant" magazine. "The Liberty Cat" was published in Japan by Kodansha in "Morning" magazine.
Phoenix's critical essays on comics have appeared in catalogues for exhibitions at the ICA in London, and at the University of Sussex. Books he has authored include a children's book titled "Count Milkula: A Tale of Milk and Monsters!" (); a cultural study "Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys Conquered the World" (), an in-depth look at Japanese toy designs from the post-war era to present times, and their effect on the imaginations and Western markets along with their impact on trends in design and pop culture;
In 2011 Phoenix edited and directed the production of "Nelson" from an original idea by Rob Davis. "Nelson" was a groundbreaking "collective graphic novel," with 54 creators producing chapters of a single continuing story, a unique storytelling experiment that won huge critical acclaim. Published by Blank Slate Books, it was "The Guardian" newspaper's Graphic Novel of The Month, November 2011. "The Times" newspaper awarded it Best Graphic Novel of 2011, it was nominated for an Eisner Award and was voted Book of The Year in the British Comic Awards 2012.
In 2012, for Blank Slate Books, Phoenix wrote and designed "Felt Mistress: Creature Couture" (), a book with similar design and pop-cultural concerns to "Plastic Culture", focused on the work of a creative duo from Wales, Louise Evans and Jonathan Edwards.
In spring 2014 Phoenix completed a new graphic novel "She Lives", unusual for its surprising size and dramatic presentation: a 96-page handmade, handbound book that is one metre square. The book is hardcover with an austere black surface featuring embossed giant type. Each interior page is composed of images drawn by hand in India ink rather than printed, making the entire book a one-off piece of original comics art. In a further challenge to standard comics production, Phoenix intends not to print this work so that it can only be viewed in person wherever it is exhibited. This unique object was premiered at the British Library's "Comics Unmasked" exhibition from May to August 2014.
Biography.
Phoenix grew up in Brockley, south London, his parents Joe and Sybil Phoenix having migrated to the UK from Guyana in about 1958.
He studied typography at university, and in the 1990s was a letterer for most of the UK's comics publishers, including "Escape", Fleetway, Dark Horse UK, "Toxic", and Acme Press. He also lettered graphic novels for Gollancz and Methuen.
He self-published several comics during this time as part of the Fast Fiction collective begun by Paul Gravett, before working as a professional artist and writer for UK and US comics companies.
Phoenix's first collaboration was with Glenn Dakin on "Sinister Romance", a humour title they jointly wrote, drew, and edited. Four issues were published by Harrier Comics' New Wave imprint. Phoenix has since collaborated as artist and/or writer with Andi Watson, Matt Wagner, Alan Moore, Chris Reynolds, Chris Webster, Eddie Campbell, Rian Hughes, Gordon Rennie, Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, Paul Grist, Evan Dorkin, Oscar Zarate, José Muñoz, Carl Flint, Ian Carney, Jake Carney, Zach Howard, Annie Caulfield, and Steve May.
With co-writer Ian Carney, Phoenix created an anthology comic called "SugarBuzz", published by Slave Labor Graphics, featuring a cast of more than 50 characters. The most popular was Pants Ant, who was featured in an animated cartoon for The Cartoon Network; and the "Where's It At, Sugar Kat?" series, which was also optioned for film and TV projects by Walt Disney inc.
Phoenix was one of the first Western comics creators to appear in Kodansha's weekly manga anthology "Comics Morning" magazine in Japan, producing a mystery detective strip called "The Liberty Cat". His work has also appeared in numerous anthologies and book collections including "Grendel: Black White and Red" (with writer Matt Wagner), "The Big Book of Death" and "The Big Book of Weirdos", "It's Dark in London" edited by Oscar Zarate, "The Brighton Book" and "Alan Moore: Portrait of an Extraordinary Gentleman".
Phoenix shares a studio in London known as Detonator with two comics writer/artists, Ed "ILYA" Hillyer and JAKe.
Art style.
Phoenix's work is graphic and playful, while noted for its high degree of formal experimentation. He draws in very different styles, which make his comics appear to be the work of three or four completely different creators. The vividly coloured angular graphics of "The Sumo Family" are completely unlike the grainy impressionist mood of "The Liberty Cat". The elegant line of "Sherlock Holmes and The Vanishing Villain" is a differing style again that bears no relation to the many "SugarBuzz!" comics that followed. His book "Rumble Strip" is his most radical departure from previous directions that even dispenses with characters, leaving only backgrounds.
References.
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