Phoo Action Silver Jubilee The Complete Collection Of Jamie Hewletts Get The Freebies Comic

"Get the Freebies" was a satirical comic strip created by Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett and writer Mat Wakeham, which originally appeared in The Face, a British magazine focusing on fashion, music, and popular culture. The strip ran for twelve issues, starting in July 1996 and concluding in July 1997. Now, after 25 years, the complete run of this underground comic is being compiled into a comprehensive graphic novel titled "Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee," offering fans and newcomers alike the opportunity to experience this unique piece of British comic history.

Origins of Get the Freebies

The "Get the Freebies" comic strip emerged during a transitional period for Jamie Hewlett, who had just completed his work on "Tank Girl" and was about to co-create the virtual band Gorillaz. The strip represented Hewlett's exploration of satirical British pop culture, creating a series that was even more explicitly plugged into the zeitgeist of the UK than his previous work. The comic was Hewlett's attempt to see if the anarchy of "Tank Girl" could be corralled into something with more structure while maintaining its energetic edge.

The strip featured stories loosely following the adventures of London super-cop duo Terry Phoo, a gay martial arts expert and superhero, and his sidekick Whitey Action, a pale, disaffected, self-medicating teenage heroine. Their frequent run-ins with a volatile gang of mutants known as the Freebies formed the basis of the narrative. The comic, typically narrated by Whitey, often featured explicit language, violence, nudity, and drug usage, with stories often centered around popular celebrities of the time.

The protagonists were distinctly British counter-culture figures: Whitey Action, an effortlessly cool chain-smoking Brit Pop teenager with distinctive bangs and a pulse that "never seems to break 61," and Terry Phoo, a gay martial artist from Hong Kong dressed in Bruce Lee's jumpsuit. As described in the comic, Whitey is "a drug addict chimp-taming party magnet" while Terry "plays for the other team." Their antagonists were a trio of criminal mutants called "The Freebies"—Burk, "a big stupid gorilla"; Marlon, "the small and effeminate" one; and Jimmy, the leader "who has a basketball for a head."

The Evolution from Comic Strip to Graphic Novel

Although "Get the Freebies" concluded after twelve episodes, there were plans to continue the comic strip via a second installment titled "Phoo Action" (not to be confused with the later live-action television pilot). This sequel series was eventually canceled, leaving the characters in a state of limbo for many years.

The first episode of "Get the Freebies" began with Jamie Hewlett attempting to pitch his idea for a 'Get the Freebies' TV show to a pair of television producers. In his pitch, Hewlett describes the Freebies and their criminal activities, then introduces the protagonists, Whitey Action and Terry Phoo, focusing particularly on Whitey's drug addictions and bad habits. This self-referential beginning established the comic's meta-humor and satirical approach to both pop culture and the entertainment industry itself.

The comic's cultural specificity, which "might leave foreigners to wonder why BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq was worth lampooning in the first place," contributed to its underground status outside the UK. Despite catching Hewlett at a point of maximum cultural influence—just after "Tank Girl" and before "Gorillaz"—the series and its characters drifted into a "flickering half-life" after its initial run.

Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee Content

The upcoming graphic novel "Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee," published by Z2 Comics, will compile the full 25-year history of the Phoo Action series. This comprehensive collection represents a significant publishing event for fans of underground comics and Hewlett's work.

The book's core content includes: - The complete 12-issue run of "Get the Freebies" comic, presented in English for the first time as a collected edition - A previously unpublished comic that was intended as the introduction to a second season (which never occurred) - A prose novel by Mat Wakeham that tells the story that would have been presented in that second season, with illustrations by The Invisibles artist Philip Bond - A timeline that includes character designs and other artwork - A cover piece from Hewlett—the first new official comic art of Terry and Whitey to celebrate their 25th anniversary - An oral history of the evolving project, with forewords that serve as an historical account

According to Mat Wakeham, who assembled the book, "To say that I hold dear these characters and this property is an understatement. I am so extremely grateful to be their current custodian and curator—and that I still get to be a creative collaborator in their world, too." Wakeham describes the book as "my open love letter to some of the funniest, most reprehensible, and inspired underground comics of the late 20th century, from the hand of one of Britain's leading cultural luminaries—Mr. Jamie Hewlett."

Connection to the Phoo Action TV Pilot

The "Get the Freebies" comic was adapted into a BBC TV pilot for a program to be called "Phoo Action" in 2008, co-written by Mat Wakeham. This adaptation represented another chapter in the characters' journey from underground comic to mainstream media, though the series was not picked up for full production.

The "Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee" book includes elements related to this television adaptation, such as production stills from the pilot and the pilot's script, providing a comprehensive view of how the characters evolved from comic to potential television series.

Publication Details and Editions

"Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee" is scheduled for release in late fall 2022 (Note: some sources mention November 2022, while others mention November 2024—there appears to be conflicting information in the source materials). The book will be published in multiple editions to cater to different collector preferences:

1. Standard Edition: A 368-page hardcover with an MSRP of $49.99
2. Deluxe Edition: An oversized edition with a dust jacket, a slipcase, and three prints, priced at $99.99
3. Super Deluxe Edition: A hand-signed limited edition (limited to 250 copies) that comes with five prints for $249.99 (Note: one source mentions this price as $400, while another states $249.99—there is conflicting information about the exact price point)

The book's production values reflect the cult status of the original comic and the significance of this collection in preserving a piece of British comic history. The inclusion of multiple editions allows both casual readers and dedicated collectors to access the material in formats appropriate to their level of interest and budget.

Artistic Style and Cultural Context

Jamie Hewlett created "Get the Freebies" during a period of artistic experimentation, seeking fresh creative avenues after his work on "Deadline" and Hollywood projects. As Mat Wakeham noted, "after Deadline and the giddy heights of Hollywood you can't go back to 2000 AD."

The comic's artistic style reflects Hewlett's distinctive approach, with coloring predominantly done using magic markers. The stories "chew huge mouthfuls of 1990s British pop culture," creating a time capsule of the era's music, fashion, and social attitudes. The antagonist trio of criminal bozos called 'The Freebies' represent Hewlett's enthusiastic exploration of the worlds of Chuck Jones and Looney Tunes, filtered through a distinctly British counter-cultural lens.

The Legacy of Get the Freebies

Despite its relatively brief initial run, "Get the Freebies" has maintained a dedicated following over the past 25 years. The characters and their anarchic adventures have become cult favorites among fans of underground comics and Hewlett's distinctive visual style.

The publication of "Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee" represents an opportunity to reassess the series within the broader context of Hewlett's career, bridging his work from "Tank Girl" to "Gorillaz" and beyond. The comprehensive nature of this collection—combining the original comics, unpublished material, the television pilot script, and Wakeham's prose novel—offers a multifaceted view of how these characters evolved over time.

Conclusion

"Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee" stands as a significant publishing event for fans of Jamie Hewlett's work and British underground comics. The comprehensive collection brings together 25 years of history related to the "Get the Freebies" comic and its spin-off projects, offering both nostalgic reprints and previously unavailable material.

The book's multiple editions cater to various collector preferences, from the standard hardcover at $49.99 to the limited super deluxe signed edition at $249.99 (or $400 according to one source). Regardless of which edition they choose, readers will have access to the complete "Get the Freebies" run, unpublished material, the television pilot script, and additional commentary from the creators.

For those unfamiliar with Hewlett's pre-Gorillaz work, this collection provides an opportunity to explore another facet of his creative evolution. For longtime fans, it represents the chance to finally own the complete story of Whitey Action, Terry Phoo, and their battles against the mutant Freebies gang in a definitive format.

Sources

1. Get the Freebies - Gorillaz Fandom
2. Z2 Publishes Long Lost Comics: Gorillaz, Tank Girl Creator Jamie Hewlett
3. Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee Review
4. Jamie Hewlett's Phoo Action: Get the Freebies Return from Z2 Comics
5. Gorillaz Animator Jamie Hewlett Announces Art Book Phoo Action: Silver Jubilee