Dark Horse to Publish Harlequin Novels in Manga Format
Dark Horse Comics and Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. have
announced a content licensing agreement naming Dark Horse the publisher of
Harlequin books in manga format in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom,
and Australia!
Under the agreement, Dark Horse will publish manga adaptations of six top-selling Harlequin titles under the banner, Harlequin Ginger Blossom. This banner will be divided into two color-coded lines: a “pink” line aimed at younger readers, and a “violet” line intended for more sophisticated readers. The agreement is a six-book deal -- three books for each line -- with a title from each line arriving approximately every three months.
“We are delighted to be working with a company of Dark Horse's creativity on this new venture,” said Harlequin Publisher and CEO Donna Hayes. “Harlequin romances are timeless, and this partnership allows us to bring our compelling editorial to a younger readership in a format that they find relevant.”
Harlequin has considerable experience with the manga format. Since 1998, Ohzora Publishing Company, a leading creator manga titles for women, has successfully published manga versions of over 250 Harlequin titles in Japan. Dark Horse will publish the first two North American Harlequin manga titles -- Harlequin Ginger Blossom: A Girl in a Million, by Betty Neels and Kako Itoh, and Harlequin Ginger Blossom: Response, by Penny Jordan and Takako Hashimoto -- in December.
“Harlequin's strength is creating stories that women of all ages find engaging,” said Harlequin Executive Vice President, New Business Development and Strategy Pam Laycock. “Dark Horse recognizes that there is vast potential for the growth of manga in North America. At the same time, there is currently no manga for young women that captures the richness of the Harlequin experience. We believe this partnership leverages both these opportunities.”
“We're thrilled to be partnered with Harlequin -- a publisher long renowned for bringing enriching reading experiences to millions of people,” said Dark Horse Vice President Sales and Marketing Anita Nelson. “Harlequin Ginger Blossom is a romantic step above much of the cookie-cutter manga hitting the shelves today. As a pioneer in introducing manga to North America, Dark Horse is committed to bringing truly unique editorial such as this to a new audience.”
Look for Dark Horse's debut Harlequin Ginger Blossom releases in an upcoming Previews!
Under the agreement, Dark Horse will publish manga adaptations of six top-selling Harlequin titles under the banner, Harlequin Ginger Blossom. This banner will be divided into two color-coded lines: a “pink” line aimed at younger readers, and a “violet” line intended for more sophisticated readers. The agreement is a six-book deal -- three books for each line -- with a title from each line arriving approximately every three months.
“We are delighted to be working with a company of Dark Horse's creativity on this new venture,” said Harlequin Publisher and CEO Donna Hayes. “Harlequin romances are timeless, and this partnership allows us to bring our compelling editorial to a younger readership in a format that they find relevant.”
Harlequin has considerable experience with the manga format. Since 1998, Ohzora Publishing Company, a leading creator manga titles for women, has successfully published manga versions of over 250 Harlequin titles in Japan. Dark Horse will publish the first two North American Harlequin manga titles -- Harlequin Ginger Blossom: A Girl in a Million, by Betty Neels and Kako Itoh, and Harlequin Ginger Blossom: Response, by Penny Jordan and Takako Hashimoto -- in December.
“Harlequin's strength is creating stories that women of all ages find engaging,” said Harlequin Executive Vice President, New Business Development and Strategy Pam Laycock. “Dark Horse recognizes that there is vast potential for the growth of manga in North America. At the same time, there is currently no manga for young women that captures the richness of the Harlequin experience. We believe this partnership leverages both these opportunities.”
“We're thrilled to be partnered with Harlequin -- a publisher long renowned for bringing enriching reading experiences to millions of people,” said Dark Horse Vice President Sales and Marketing Anita Nelson. “Harlequin Ginger Blossom is a romantic step above much of the cookie-cutter manga hitting the shelves today. As a pioneer in introducing manga to North America, Dark Horse is committed to bringing truly unique editorial such as this to a new audience.”
Look for Dark Horse's debut Harlequin Ginger Blossom releases in an upcoming Previews!
