Comic Book Jobs: Who’s Hiring? Egmont UK’s Toxic!

Toxic Magazine is one of those things I always pick up whenever I’m in England because it’s such a goofy kid-friendly mix of comics, pop culture and fart jokes for kids 7-12. They’re up to issue #167, so I’m probably not the only person picking it up (though maybe one of the few over 12).

Now, Egmont, the giant Scandinavian publishing behemoth, is looking for an editor for Toxic to join their London office. But not just any editor: they want “an experienced and visionary editor to take this brand-leading title to its next level of development, working in close collaboration with the commercial team.”

So if you’ve got that all-important track record “in editorial innovation and product development” and are “enthusiastic about children’s publishing,” you could make a nice life for yourself at Toxic. Probably helps if you already live in the UK, but no job listing is perfect.

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BRITISH COMICS: TOXIC 143 Ice Age and Transformers!

Continuing my sampling of British comic books, I picked up a copy of Toxic #143 (July 8-July 21, 2009). It’s another in a series of comic books disguised as a magazine, or is it a magazine disguised as a comic book? Either way, the editors at Toxic – and the publishers at Egmont - know their intended audience: the front cover boasts Ice Age 3 tie-ins, a Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen game guide, Lego Indy, and a Team Toxic comic. Plus, there’s a “Toxic Iceman” skeleton mold and ice pick in a blister pack that’s taped to the front cover. You can freeze him and then chip him out of the ice just like a real, well, a real guy who chips skeletons out of the ice.

There’s also an insert section of Ice Age 3 Battle Cards (on thicker stock) and directions on how to play the game. Inside are the usual magazine elements: photo features, pin-ups, games, puzzles, etc. Some of them tie-in to Ice Age 3, others into The Terminator, Transformers and Lego Indy. There’s a funny 2-page Team Toxic adventure where the gang takes on a Woolly Mammoth. It’s written and drawn by the great Lew Stringer. Jamie Smart contributes a poo-filled 1-pager featuring Super Von Poo and his sidekick Battleturd, and a silly Robin Hoodie 1-pager that’s uncredited.

For £2.50 (which works out to about $4.50US) it’s not a bad little package of silly stuff for the 7 or 8-year-old around the house. The layout is busy and every page is packed and it felt like money well-spent. Perhaps this is my gateway comic to Judge Dredd.

[Artwork: Cover to Toxic #143, ©Egmont Magazines UK]

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