Penguin Random House has launched a new pop-comics imprint titled Inklore. The imprint will focus on manga, manhua, manhwa, webcomics adaptations, and light novels, according to Scott Shannon, executive v-p and publisher, Random House Worlds. The first title will be released in spring 2024.
Working in collaboration with Del Rey UK, PRH announced that Inlkore will celebrate “the most popular, fan-driven tropes in visual storytelling, with a focus on digital-to-print licensed publishing,” in various genres.
“At Inklore, we are building a new home for creators of emotionally rick, visually dynamic, and transportive stories from around the world,” said Rebecca “Tay” Taylor, Inklore’s editorial director, in a statement. In the U.S. the imprint will be overseen by Keith Clayton, v-p and deputy publisher, Random House Worlds. Century publishing director Ben Brusey will spearhead the imprint’s U.K. Teams in both the U.S. and U.K. will be acquiring titles for both domestic and global publication, PRH said.
Inklore’s first release will be My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999, described as a "gamer rom-com manga series" by Mashiro, originally published in Japanese by ComicSmart. Taylor brokered the deal at Inklore with Mangamo for World English rights. The Inklore team is also working closely Penguin Random House North Asia, with the goal of bringing in more global creators and storytellers.
According to PRH, additional Inklore acquisitions include:
- Under the Oak Tree, "a fantasy romance novel by KIM Suji, originally published in Korean by RIDI Corporation," scheduled for release summer 2024.
- The Heavens, "an adult fantasy space opera original graphic novel series" written by Lev Grossman (The Magicians) and Lilah Sturges (Girl Haven).
- Northern Lights, "a YA fantasy graphic novel series" by Malin Falch, originally published in Norwegian by Egmont. and Cherry Blossoms After Winter, "a childhood-friends-to-lovers BL manhwa by Bamwoo," originally published in Korean.
