Tokyopop's Epic Plans
Kevin
Melrose and
Shawn
Fumo have already linked to
news that Tokyopop
is expanding its presence into more retail outlets (Wal-Mart, Stop
and Shop, Sam Goody). Now
Newsarama
has an article up about how Tokyopop is going to be publishing original
content in addition to manga reprints. Shawn should love this
news:
“This is a place for creators to do something
different from what the traditional comics fans are used to—stories
about kids and their crazy pets, girls and their otherworldly
boyfriends, or teens playing ancient games in magical worlds,” Paniccia
said. “Sure, the industry has produced a wide variety of stories, but
it’s usually the exception in this super-powered avenger-centric
industry.”
That last part leads to one of the rules of Tokyopop’s expanded line of
new, original projects – no capes or tights. “There’s a strict rule
here to avoid anything that remotely smacks of traditional superhero
comics in either story or art,” Paniccia said. “Tokyopop is not
competing with DC or Marvel. Superheroes are not the company’s
strength, nor is there a desire to move in that direction. It’s not our
audience.”
And if you’re thinking that this is starting to sound like an open call
for talent...well…Paniccia’ got a publishing schedule for 2005 that
he’s looking to fill.
Epic contributors! Quick, time to rejigger your proposals as
black-and-white, non-spandex projects!!
And once again I love how thoroughly Newsarama proofs its
articles: "it reads left to right rather than left to
right." I'm assuming they meant that the new material, which will
be done by Western creators, will read in the left-to-right format,
while Tokyopop's manga will continue to be published right-to-left.
