28 October 2013

Congratulations! What a magnificent achievement by Jamie Smart!

We are so proud to let you know that the first EVER comic book to be shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize (7-14 yr old category) is DFC Library book Fish-Head Steve, written and illustrated by the fantastic Jamie Smart.

Available to buy NOW from The Phoenix Comic Shop

Here are a few words from Jamie……

“It means a lot to me, to be representing comics…(and I’d like to thank)….. Ben Sharpe and Will Fickling from The DFC for commissioning it in the first place! And, of course, David Fickling for being behind The DFC and seeing Fish-Head Steve through to book form. Also my agent Jodie Hodges, and everyone who read and enjoyed Fish-Head Steve.

I'm really chuffed to have my book released through The DFC library with so many other BRILLIANT comic artists, who all deserve awards. I'm hoping the resurgence in children's comics has already begun and we can make people take notice again!”

What is Fish Head Steve?

Fish Head Steve tells the story of a small town called Spumville where all the residents wake up one morning with bizarre heads. Main character Steve, for example, has an enormous dead fish for a head. His dad has a toilet, which keeps flushing when he gets angry. His best friend Cow Boy has a, well, a cow. But where have their strange new heads have come from. Perhaps it might be wise to ask the aliens who have crash-landed in the middle of their town overnight? 

 More about Jamie Smart

Jamie Smart is also known for creating the bizzare and brilliant Bunny vs Monkey and Looshkin in The Phoenix comic. He was first known for his ten-issue comic series Bear and he recently drew The Numskulls and Kingo Bango for the relaunched Digital Dandy until it ended.  

What is the Roald Dahl Funny Prize?

The Roald Dahl Funny Prize was founded in 2008, by children’s laureate Michael Rosen, to recognize uproarious children’s books. Michael Rosen believed the prize was needed because funny kids’ books seemed to get overlooked in favour of more emotional and serious ones. Roald Dahl was chosen because if anyone could make children laugh, it was him. For more information on the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, visit: Booktrust Website

Front cover of Fish Head Steve