Los Angeles, CA (March 31, 2004) -- TOKYOPOP Inc., North America's top manga publisher, and Viacom Consumer Products have sealed the deal to produce a manga anthology based on Paramount Pictures Star Trek franchise. "To boldly go where no one has gone before(tm)"-the universe of manga-TOKYOPOP will draw from Star Trek: The Next Generation® to create a unique collection of original stories, new characters and amazing adventures.
"I'm hoping to surprise old Trek fans and wow the new ones," said TOKYOPOP editor Mark Paniccia. "Our anthology is going to explore the universe in exciting and new ways with an eclectic group of creators-imagine a manga treatment of Star Trek! This is going to be different and really, really cool."
The manga giant will collaborate with the most creative minds in the galaxy-cutting-edge Western and Japanese writers and some of Japan's hottest manga artists-to produce this intriguing and unforgettable look at the final frontier. And Paniccia is no stranger to the seminal franchise, having worked on previous Star Trek comics for two renowned publishers.
"Manga has quickly become a popular form of entertainment in the U.S," said Pam Newton, VP Marketing and Licensing, Viacom Consumer Products. "Star Trek fans continue to thirst for new, innovative treatments of our series, so TOKYOPOP was the natural choice to create a graphic anthology worthy of Star Trek fans' expectations. Personally, I can't wait to see the finished product!"
Scheduled to release on TOKYOPOP's Winter '04/Spring '05 list, the Star Trek manga anthology will comprise 250 pages and be available at an SRP of $9.99 in bookstores and major retailers nationwide.
ABOUT TOKYOPOP Inc.
TOKYOPOP Inc. is the leading North American publisher of manga, the fastest growing segment within the publishing industry. With exclusive rights to hundreds of licensed and original book, video and music properties, the company has rapidly become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP has millions of books in print and publishes many hit manga series, including Love Hina, Chobits, Rave Master, Initial D, GTO, Battle Royale and Cowboy Bebop. The company pioneered Cine-Manga(tm), releasing such titles as Finding Nemo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Lizzie McGuire and Transformers Armada. TOKYOPOP television properties include Rave Master, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror. The company has also expanded its presence as a licensor, representing merchandising rights for Rave Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and others. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.
ABOUT VIACOM CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Viacom Consumer Products merchandises properties on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Viacom Productions, and Spelling Television, as well as third-party properties. Viacom Consumer Products, a unit of Viacom Entertainment Group, is a subsidiary of Viacom Inc.
Star Trek(tm), ® and � 2004 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Star Trek and Related Marks are Trademarks of Paramount Pictures.
For all the latest Star Trek news, visit the official home of Star Trek at http://www.startrek.com.
