Together Design develops new Phoenix comic for children

Together Design has worked with an in-house team to create a design approach, masthead and style guide for a new children’s weekly comic.

Together creative director Matt Baxter has created a special cast of animal comic characters that represent the editorial team, which are featured on the cover of Issue Zero.

The Issue Zero prequel is being circulated from 17 November using a special code in the Waitrose Weekend magazine. The comic will launch in January 2012.

Together was appointed to the work in July by The Phoenix team, which is led by editor Ben Sharpe, following a recommendation from children’s publisher David Fickling, of David Fickling Books.

Sharpe says, ‘They understood right away that we needed a design feel that would support and not fight the extremely varied content we have in each issue of The Phoenix and – crucially – to give children a clear, engaging and friendly reading experience.’

Together creative director Matt Baxter says, ‘Working with the young and committed team at The Phoenix to bring the vision of the new comic to life has been an incredible experience.

‘The carefully crafted comic will bring something unique to a children’s comic book market filled with uninspiring franchise tie-ins… Jobs like this don’t come around very often and we’re thrilled to be involved.’