A few weeks ago we took a look at how small indie publishers had weathered the Diamond collapse, and we mentioned 247 Comics, which decided to put its publishing projects on hold for a while, even as publisher Carl Choi hinted at an imminent announcement.
And here is the announcement: 247 Comics is partnering with TOKYOPOP. Under the agreement, TOKYOPOP will publish 247 Comics’ manga-inspired graphic novels, while also providing product development and marketing support. So yes, yet another team-up in the post-Diamond environment, this one with the title 247 Comics powered by TOKYOPOP.
The deal will include print editions of 247 Comics titles including the sci-fi adventure, EVERMIND, revenge saga, HEROES BE DAMNED, the swords and martial arts action of BLADESMYTH, and supernatural crime drama, ZERO GHOST, including bookstore exclusive variant covers by manga artists.
“247 Comics has developed a bold range of original graphic novels by a cadre of talented creators that are influenced by manga,” says Marc Visnick, COO and Publisher of TOKYOPOP. “We are excited to leverage TOKYOPOP’s production, distribution and marketing infrastructure to bring these new print editions of their titles to market.”
“This partnership is about honoring manga traditions while reintroducing this audience to the single-issue comic book format,” says Carl Choi, Co-founder and Publisher of 247 Comics. “Through 247 Comics powered by TOKYOPOP, we’re bringing world-class manga talent into comic shops while presenting our original stories in compact manga reader formats. It’s a creator-first approach designed to serve retailers, readers, and the long-term future of the medium.”
247’s Executive Editor Terry Kavanaugh (formerly of Marvel) will oversee some of the projects, which include 247 Comics Presents & Spotlight, a flip-book quarterly anthology with work by Larry Hama, Howard Mackie, Anderson Carman, and Daniel Warren Johnson, along with reprints of New Men, created by Rob Liefeld (Deadpool), and Sons of the Devil, created by Brian Buccelatto (Flash).
And here’s a look at more upcoming 247 Comics projects:
EVERMIND, written by Sean Chen and Daniel Wu; artwork by Sean Chen
A science fiction graphic novel set in the future follows renowned scientist Lucas Zhang, who develops breakthrough technology to control robots through the human mind. Zhang’s Neurolink tech powers theme parks and military mechs alike—but when those worlds collide, his quest for immortality and glory spirals into chaos. Welcome to EVERMIND.
EVERMIND Issues #1-3 Connecting Covers by Japanese anime/manga artist GODTAIL (comic shop exclusive)
HEROES BE DAMNED, written by Vince Sunico and Nicholas Lukic; artwork by Vince Sunico
The Murders of Heroes & Villains by a Mysterious Figure Seeking Revenge. Heroes. Villains. Kill or Be Killed! In a world where capes and cowls maintain cosmic balance, the invincible Victory Force stands as humanity’s last defense. When a shadow dubbed “The Man in Black” begins systematically eradicating heroes and villains alike, leaving only destruction in his wake, even the mighty Victory—the greatest superhero ever known—finds himself at a loss. While the Victory Force scrambles against an enemy they cannot track or identify, young Mystic—granddaughter of Victory himself—is called upon by her mentor Dr. Magic to unlock her unique abilities and pierce the veil surrounding their mysterious adversary. But some darkness refuses to be illuminated, and some truths are better left buried.
BLADESMYTH, written by Lingie Park and Justin Calen-Chenn; artwork by Creees Lee
Honor the Blade, Defy the World. Asian American creator team unlocking Action and Appetite. Loren is visited by a mysterious figure who seems to know everything about what he does in the day and what he really does at night.
ZERO GHOST, written by Justin Jordan; artwork by Brian Ching
An epic adventure set in a world where magic exists and is almost entirely dominated by criminals. Kira Kaine is out for revenge, even if it costs her soul. Literally.
For centuries, the Five Families have operated in the shadows, using hidden magic and sudden violence to dominate the criminal underworld. Kira is heir to the Kaine family, the strongest of them all. But on her eighteenth birthday, unknown enemies slaughter the Kaine family, intending to use Kira as a sacrifice to attain ultimate power. What they didn’t anticipate was Kira breaking free, leading to her being accidentally bonded to an angel of death named Shrike.
With Shrike, she has the power to enact bloody vengeance on the people who betrayed her family, but every use of his power burns away a part of Kira’s very soul. Can she find the truth and her revenge before Shrike destroys her entirely?
