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New Manga from TOKYOPOP

posted on by Scott Green
From the press release: TOKYOPOP Manga is building a new formula for success as it utilizes the talents of Space Ghost: Coast to Coast and Action Girl writer Sarah Dyer as well as best-selling Dragonlance writer Richard A. Knaak as re-writers for two new series, Kodocha and Ragnarok: Into the abyss this January. While keeping true to the original creator's style, the additions of Dyer and Knaak will also open up these series to new readers in ways a literal translation could not.

TOKYOPOP Manga is building a new formula for success as it utilizes the talents of Space Ghost: Coast to Coast and Action Girl writer Sarah Dyer as well as best-selling Dragonlance writer Richard A. Knaak as re-writers for two new series, Kodocha and Ragnarok: Into the abyss this January. While keeping true to the original creator's style, the additions of Dyer and Knaak will also open up these series to new readers in ways a literal translation could not.

"Kodocha and Ragnarok: Into the abyss are both excellent titles that have won over many fans,"Director of Marketing Sean Atkins said. "And these gifted writers, Sarah Dyer and Richard Knaak, have the ability to realize the nuances and styles of Miho Obana and Myung Jin Lee in a way that ensures that the creators' work is not lost in the translation."

Dyer, who in addition to working on Space Ghost and creating Action Girl, an anthology of comics by and for women and girls has also written Supergirl, and Superman Adventures (as featured on Cartoon Network! and Kids WB). She also has previous re-writing experience for Dark Horse Comics where she adapted Italian comics for U.S. publication.

Dyer's flair for witty banter fits in well with the unique characters and storylines of Kodocha. Originally titled Kodoma no Omocha, Kodocha follows the most beloved child actress in Japan, Sana Kurata, a young girl who likes having things her way. So when a bully, Akito Hayama, comes and takes over her classroom in true Machiavellian style, it's only a matter of time before their interactions explode into a full-blown war of wills.

Steeped in Japanese pop cultural jokes and references, the series has already attracted a legion of avid U.S. fans, as is evident in the number of websites devoted to the series and series creator Miho Obana. Dyer is keeping these fans in mind while re-writing the series so as not to lose the crazy charm that won them over to begin with. The first volume of Kodocha will run as a limited edition comic for five issues before switching exclusively to graphic novel format next summer.

Knaak is performing a re-write on TOKYOPOP® Manga's other new series, Ragnarok: Into the abyss. Knaak's talent for epic story telling, with which he has successfully adapted the role-playing game worlds of Dragonlance, Diablo and Warcraft into successful fantasy novel series, brings a larger-than-life appeal to Myung Jin Lee's sword and sorcery manga series.

In the story, Fenris Fenrir the Wolf God of Norse Mythology has been reborn. She seeks the reincarnation of the murdered god, Balder, who will play a crucial role in Ragnarok - the end of the world. At the heart of her search is Chaos, a warrior who holds the sacred sword Tyrfing and who has no memory of his past. Over the course of their quest, they become embroiled in a battle with the goddess Freya while an ensemble cast of characters teams together to change the world forever.

Knaak will co-write the first volume of the series with TOKYOPOP® Senior Editor Jake Forbes before helming the re-writing chores solo in volume two.The first volume will run as a limited edition comic for four issues before switching exclusively to graphic novel format next summer.

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