Get The Freebies Returns Jamie Hewletts Cult Comic Collection Coming In Phoo Action Silver Jubilee

The cult comic strip "Get the Freebies," created by Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett and writer Mat Wakeham, is making a comeback after 25 years. Z2 Comics will release "Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee," a comprehensive collection that compiles the original comic strips along with additional materials, offering fans the first opportunity to experience these anarchic stories in their original English format in over two decades.

The Origins of "Get the Freebies"

"Get the Freebies" emerged as a comic strip featured in The Face, a monthly British magazine that focused on fashion, music, and popular culture. The strip ran for twelve issues, beginning in July 1996 and concluding in July 1997. Created during the mid-1990s, the comic represented an early work in Jamie Hewlett's career, predating his international fame with the virtual band Gorillaz.

The stories followed the adventures of a London super-cop duo consisting of Terry Phoo, a gay martial arts expert and superhero, and his sidekick Whitey Action, a pale, disaffected, self-medicating teenage heroine. Their frequent encounters involved a volatile gang of mutants known as the Freebies. The narrative was typically presented through Whitey's perspective and often featured explicit language, violence, nudity, and drug usage. Storylines frequently centered around popular celebrities of the era, maintaining a satirical and irreverent tone throughout its run.

Characters and Story Elements

The characters of "Get the Freebies" were distinctive and unconventional. The Freebies gang, portrayed as antagonists, included Burk, described as "a big stupid gorilla"; Marlon, who was "small and effeminate"; and Jimmy, the leader who "has a basketball for a head." The Freebies were serving a fifteen-year prison sentence in the comic's universe, though the narrative details evolved during development.

The protagonists, Whitey Action and Terry Phoo, had complex dynamics. Whitey was characterized by her drug addictions and erratic behavior, with a bipolar personality that caused her to snap at her boyfriend Bill, a large, blue, rock-man reminiscent of The Thing from Marvel Comics. Whitey's backstory involved her falling in with a bad crowd and engaging in public spectacles including "arriving at celebrity parties pissed up, fighting, swearing on T.V., porn movies, etc." Her partner Terry attempted to manage her image by slipping "hormone retardant pills" in her food to maintain her youthful appearance.

The stories often involved high-speed chases and absurd scenarios, with the protagonists pursuing the Freebies after their explosive prison break. Despite its relatively short run, the comic developed a cult following for its unique style, irreverent humor, and distinctive character designs.

The "Phoo Action" TV Pilot

In 2008, "Get the Freebies" was adapted into a television pilot titled "Phoo Action" for BBC Three. The live-action production featured Jaime Winstone as Whitey Action, Carl Weathers as Police Chief Benjamin "Ben" Benson, and Eddie Shin as Terry Phoo. The pilot episode began with Jamie Hewlett himself attempting to pitch the concept to television producers, describing the characters and their bizarre circumstances.

The pilot was well-received enough that the BBC commissioned a six-part series. However, just before production was scheduled to begin, the BBC announced the cancellation of the project. The reasons for this cancellation remained unclear until now, with the upcoming book promising to provide insights into why the series never moved forward beyond the pilot.

The Planned Sequel

Despite the popularity of the original comic strip, plans for a second installment titled "Phoo Action" (not to be confused with the live-action television pilot) were eventually canceled. This sequel series would have continued the adventures of Terry Phoo and Whitey Action, but development never progressed beyond initial stages.

"Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee" - The Comprehensive Collection

On November 6th, 2024, Z2 Comics will release "Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee," a comprehensive graphic novel that compiles the 25-year history of the Phoo Action series. This collection marks the first time the original "Get the Freebies" comic strips will be reprinted in their original English format in 25 years. The comics have been painstakingly remastered and relettered for this publication.

The book will include: - All twelve original "Get the Freebies" comic issues - A cover piece from Jamie Hewlett, marking the first new official comic art of Terry and Whitey to celebrate their 25th anniversary - A never-before-seen introductory comic to the planned but unproduced second season - Process materials and development artwork from the unpublished second series - Never-before-seen comic pages from the period - A new full-throttle prose novel written by Mat Wakeham - Illustrations for the prose novel by renowned comics artist Philip Bond - Production stills and script from the BBC pilot - Additional commentary from the comics creators

The prose novel, based on the original '97 story treatment by Hewlett & Wakeham, will tell the story of an Ancient Chinese demon named Li Long Chang wreaking havoc in modern-day London (specifically in 2006). This narrative will thrust Terry Phoo and Whitey Action into "the next stage of the deranged, public debacle that is their lives as London's first line of defense."

Edition Formats and Release Details

"Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee" will be available in two formats: a standard hardcover and a deluxe hardcover with a clamshell cover. The deluxe edition will come with additional collectible items including enamel pins, magnets, and embroidered patches. The release is scheduled for early Winter.

The Creators Behind the Cult Classic

Jamie Hewlett is celebrated as a British artist, designer, and comic book creator, best known for co-creating the groundbreaking virtual band Gorillaz alongside musician Damon Albarn. His distinguished career also includes the creation of the iconic Tank Girl comic series and winning the prestigious Designer of the Year award in 2006, which solidified his reputation as a visionary in the worlds of comics and visual arts.

Mat Wakeham's first collaboration with Jamie Hewlett on "Phoo Action" led to him working alongside Hewlett and Albarn on the creation of Gorillaz, showcasing their strong creative partnership. Wakeham eventually left Gorillaz to pursue the adaptation of Phoo Action for the BBC, after which he went on to produce British independent cinema following a successful career in global advertising. The upcoming book represents Wakeham's "love letter to the IP he and Hewlett created and co-own."

Cultural Significance and Legacy

"Get the Freebies" represents an important, though often overlooked, part of Jamie Hewlett's creative development. The comic strip showcased his distinctive visual style and irreverent humor that would later become hallmarks of his work with Gorillaz. The characters' unconventional designs and the stories' satirical approach to popular culture demonstrated Hewlett's ability to create compelling narratives within alternative comics.

Despite its relatively brief run and limited mainstream recognition, "Get the Freebies" developed a dedicated following that appreciated its unique blend of absurd humor, social commentary, and distinctive artwork. The comprehensive collection now being published will introduce these stories to a new generation of readers while providing long-time fans with additional insights and previously unseen materials.

Conclusion

"Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee" represents a significant publishing event for fans of alternative comics and Jamie Hewlett's work. By collecting the original "Get the Freebies" strips alongside extensive supplementary materials, this volume offers a definitive look at this cult classic from its inception to its various adaptations. The inclusion of the new prose novel and materials from the unproduced sequel provides a satisfying conclusion to the characters' stories while the BBC pilot materials offer insight into an alternate path the franchise could have taken.

For readers familiar with Hewlett's later work with Gorillaz, this collection provides valuable context for understanding the evolution of his creative vision. For new readers, it represents an opportunity to discover a unique and influential piece of 1990s alternative comics that anticipated many of the visual and narrative styles that would later become more widespread in popular culture.

Sources

1. Jamie Hewlett's Phoo Action & Get The Freebies, Return From Z2 Comics
2. Get the Freebies Wiki
3. Phoo Action About Page
4. Graphic Policy Get the Freebies Tag