comiXology Launches Guided View™ Authoring Tools Early Adopters Program to Put Distribution Power Into Creator’s Hands

Program Empowers Publishers and Creators to Get Comics Digitally Distributed with Guided View^TM Navigation

For for social media release please visit: http://cmxl.gy/GVTools

New York, NY – It’s not x-ray vision or the ability to fly faster than a speeding bullet but comiXology, the leading digital comics distributor for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and the Web, is empowering comic publishers and creators with the next best thing with the launch of the Guided View™ Authoring Tools early adopters program.

The private, invitation-only Alpha program provides creators and publishers with a tool-set to prepare their comics for comiXology’s patent-pending Guided View™ – the industry standard navigation technology that enables readers to experience comics full screen or panel-to-panel.

The Guided View™ Authoring Tools program will help level the playing field by giving independent creators and publishers an equal chance for visibility in the digital marketplace through a standard format and ubiquitous platform.

“Creating opportunities for all publishers and independent creators is a major focus for us,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “The Guided View Authoring Tools is the first piece of a larger program that will benefit creators and publishers who either are unknown, have limited print distribution through Diamond or have an older property that won’t get the shelf space it deserves. We created these tools for ourselves — they are the actual tools we use at comiXology when creating Guided View — and realized the great opportunity for anyone to use them. The tools will give publishers and creators an equal opportunity for visibility, while creating more diverse content for our community to enjoy week after week.”

The private Alpha phase recently launched with TOKYOPOP, Devils Due, Arcana Comics, J. Chris Campbell (creator of Zig Zag) and Scott Admunson (creator of Barbarian).

“We at TOKYOPOP are big fans of comiXology. They not only learn the needs of publishers and creators, but they execute solutions quickly and effectively,” said Stu Levy, founder and CEO of TOKYOPOP. “Guided View Authoring Tools allow us to scale our digital distribution in a way which meets our needs, and most importantly, the needs of our fans.”

“As a small publisher, getting your work distributed is an extremely difficult task,” said Chris Campbell, creator of Zig Zag. “The largest hurdle is achieving enough orders to even be considered by the major comic distributor. comiXology lets you reach audiences that you’d never get through any other traditional distribution means.”

Once the Alpha phase is completed, comiXology will open more spots for a limited Beta testing of the tools to more creators. The final product will be part of a comprehensive online system, allowing seamless submission for digital publishing for all comic book creators and publishers in an iTunes-like model. Creators and publishers can sign up for consideration for Beta spot at http://www.comixology.com/self_authoring_signup/.

Download the Comics by comiXology app in the iTunes App Store here, or read comics online at comics.comiXology

About comiXology
Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, BOOM! Studios, Image Comics and TOKYOPOP as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts nearly 4000 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in digital comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.

http://www.comixology.com/

Vive Hetalia!

I think I did enough head scratching when I worked on “Hetalia: Axis Powers” to bore a hole in my skull. No capsule review is going to do justice to the utter weirdness of this TOKYOPOP manga. The title, a blending of the words “coward” (hetare) and “Italy,” gives you a taste of what creator Hidekaz Himaruya is angling for. The series chronicles personified forms of nations as they live out sulky melodramas set in the period of, and between, the World Wars (with intermittent references that cover everything from ancient history to modernity). Rather than heady political allegory, “Hetalia” offers two-fisted historical comedy that’s more Bishonen slapstick than “Animal Farm.” I’ve seen some critics call out “Hetalia” for its lunacy and lack of historical rigor but its that free play of historical reference and the manic possibilities of manga that delight me. The series never bends to expectations of one mode or style. The first issue will give you a good sense of this versatility. We’ve got allusions to the Congress of Vienna and a story with Italy trying to disguise itself as a “tomato crate fairy.” While these examples speak to the scope and silliness of “Hetalia,” there is a disarming sincerity in its quieter moments; perhaps a reason why “Hetalia” has built up such a devoted fan base.

History buffs, maniacs, soap opera fans. Have I got a series for you.

TOKYOPOP & comiXology Debut Hetalia Axis Powers in Industry’s First Simultaneous Print and Digital Manga Release

comiXology Introduces First Japanese Manga Series in Partnership with TOKYOPOP

9.22.2010 – /Los Angeles, CA/New York, NYC – In a first-ever simultaneous print and digital release for a major manga title in North America, TOKYOPOP, the leading independent manga entertainment company in the U.S., has partnered with comiXology, the number one digital comics platform for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and the Web, to release the digital editions of Hidekaz Himaruya’s hit manga Hetalia Axis Powers at the same time as the graphic novel print version.

Hetalia’s mobile debut in the U.S. is a key part of TOKYOPOP’s simultaneous print and digital releases on all popular platforms.

The first volume of Hetalia has been divided into six issues and will be available through the Comics by comiXology app and on the Web for $0.99 each. The first issue will be free.

Also coming soon is a deluxe teaser app that fans can download from the iTunes App Store, which includes a preview of the first chapter, manga trailer, and photos of elaborately dressed fans in Hetalia cosplay (short for “costume play”).

“TOKYOPOP is thrilled to have comiXology join us as a partner in bringing this phenomenal new manga to every popular platform so fans can read it whenever and wherever they want,” said Stu Levy, CEO of TOKYOPOP. “comiXology is a crucial part of our campaign to engage our fans in innovative new ways.”

The release of Hetalia represents comiXology’s first-ever manga offering. The manga reads from right to left in the authentic Japanese format, using comiXology’s patent-pending Guided View™ Technology to create a fluid experience for dedicated manga fans and new readers alike.

“TOKYOPOP has developed a first-to-market track record in bringing manga to digital,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “Hetalia presents an incredible opportunity for comiXology to introduce more readers to the style and richness of manga storytelling through mobile. Working with such a pioneering publisher as TOKYOPOP is truly an honor. We look forward to bringing all of their titles to our platform.”

Hetalia Axis Powers has swept the Internet worldwide as a Webcomic, and the graphic novel has already sold more than a million units in Japan. A humorous and often politically-incorrect retelling of actual historic moments, Hetalia focuses primarily on the relationships between the Axis and Allied Powers during the World Wars. The story follows Italy, Germany, and Japan from the fall of Rome up through World War II, with each country personified by bishonen characters (archetypal Japanese “pretty boys”).

Hetalia is available through the Comics by comiXology app on the iPad, iPhone and iPod now.

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About TOKYOPOP®
Founded in 1997 by international media entrepreneur Stu Levy, TOKYOPOP established the market for manga in North America, introducing the term to the English language in the process. Over its history, TOKYOPOP has published over 3000 books, distributed anime and Asian films on home video and television, licensed merchandise to consumer goods companies, created graphic novels of major brands such as Warcraft, Star Trek, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Hannah Montana, and led the way digitally in social media, e-commerce and user-generated content.

TOKYOPOP’s brand expanded internationally with offices in Europe and Japan and a network of over 160 partners in more than 50 countries and 30 languages. Taking its Manga Revolution beyond the page, TOKYOPOP has begun producing live-action and animated film and television content based on its extensive intellectual property library, including Priest, Van Von Hunter, and another 20 projects currently in development, along with America’s Greatest Otaku, an 8-episode reality show filmed during its 2010 summer-long, 28-city national tour.

For more information, visit www.TOKYOPOP.com as well as www.twitter.com/tokyopop and www.facebook.com/tokyopop.

About comiXology
Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel, DC, BOOM! Studios and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts nearly 3000 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.

http://www.comixology.com/