TOKYOPOP has announced a new publishing partnership with 247 Comics, teaming up to release a slate of manga-influenced original graphic novels and licensed merchandise under a newly branded initiative.
Through the collaboration, TOKYOPOP will provide publishing, product development, and marketing support for a wide range of 247 Comics’ creator-owned titles. The partnership will debut in the coming months with exclusive print editions of several 247 Comics releases, produced specifically for the comic shop market.
The first wave of titles set to receive TOKYOPOP-published editions includes:
- EVERMIND, written by Sean Chen and Daniel Wu, with artwork by Sean Chen
- HEROES BE DAMNED, written and illustrated by Vince Sunico, with writing contributions from Nicholas Lukic
- BLADESMYTH, written by Lingie Park and Justin Calen-Chenn, with artwork by Creees Lee
- ZERO GHOST, written by Justin Jordan, with artwork by Brian Ching
The 247 Comics powered by TOKYOPOP initiative will be formally introduced during the ComicsPRO Virtual Summit, with TOKYOPOP meeting directly with comic shop retailers at the Glendale show on February 19. Comic bookstore exclusive editions will feature variant covers created by prominent manga cover artists.
247 Comics’ editorial direction is being led by Terry Kavanagh, who was announced as Executive Editor at last year’s ComicsPRO. Kavanagh, known for his work on Marvel Comics Presents, also shared new details about 247 Comics Presents & Spotlight, a quarterly flip-book anthology series.
The debut issue of 247 Comics Presents will include original stories from Larry Hama, Howard Mackie, and newcomer Anderson Carman, whose series Cyber League will make its first appearance. The issue will also feature a variant cover by Daniel Warren Johnson. The Spotlight side of the anthology will showcase remastered editions of New Men by Rob Liefeld and Sons of the Devil by Brian Buccellato.
Marc Visnick, COO and Publisher of TOKYOPOP, described the partnership as an opportunity to expand access to manga-inspired storytelling through established distribution channels, while Carl Choi, Co-founder and Publisher of 247 Comics, emphasized the initiative’s goal of blending manga traditions with the single-issue comic format.
Together, TOKYOPOP and 247 Comics aim to deliver a creator-first publishing model designed to support retailers, readers, and the evolving comic book market.
Source: LinkedIn
