Following on the heels of a new graphic novel line, ibooks Inc. announced plans to also launch a line of manga—graphic novels patterned after the popular Japanese visual style of comics. While graphic novels of all kinds are selling well, manga and other Japanese-influenced comics are outselling everything. Ibooks president Byron Preiss called manga "the most popular comics style today."
In October, ibooks will release its first manga title, Sunn, written by Steve Roman, (who also edits ibooks' manga line), and illustrated by acclaimed comics artist Kevin Lau. The book is described as a blend of Japanese visual style and American superhero narrative. Ibooks will also release the first volume of the two-volume Icaro, a science fiction adventure illustrated by the French comics artist Jean Giraud (Moebius) and written by Jiro Taniguchi. The second volume will be released in January 2004.
