Henson's
fantasy films coming to manga
Japan-style
comics being designed for MirrorMask, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal
Courtesy
of The Jim Henson Company
July
15, 2005
The
Jim Henson Company has partnered with TOKYOPOP Inc., the #1 publisher
of manga in the U.S., in an exclusive manga publishing deal to bring
three of its fantasy titles to fans. Most notable among them is
MirrorMask, the feature film from Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman due
for release on September 30th of this year.
TOKYOPOP’s
MirrorMask prequel manga story will be plotted by Gaiman, the award-winning
writer of the highly successful Sandman comics as well as the novels
Good Omens and Coraline. Also included in the deal will be all-new
original graphic novel series for the immensely popular properties
The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
The MirrorMask
prequel will tell the story of the princess' escape from the Dark
Palace and how she came to acquire the MirrorMask.
TOKYOPOP
also plans to release a sequel manga to Labyrinth, which first hit
the big screen in 1986, remained a fan favorite over the years and
also served as an inspiration for MirrorMask. Its manga version
will follow a 13-year-old Toby as he journeys back to the Labyrinth
to assume his role as the heir to the Goblin Kingdom. Manga writer
Jake Forbes will write this series.
The final title
will be a prequel to 1982’s The Dark Crystal, the classic
tale of good versus evil that broke ground as the first fully animatronic
feature. Henson also recently announced that it is in reproduction
on a sequel theatrical film of this cult classic.
Gaiman
said, “As soon as I heard that Henson wanted to do manga versions
of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, I immediately wanted to include
MirrorMask as well. Having the leader of manga handle all three
titles seems like the perfect way to present them to readers around
the world.”
“TOKYOPOP
has consistently had innovative publishing and entertainment programs,”
said Michael Polis, Senior Vice President of Marketing for The Jim
Henson Company. “Knowing the devoted followers these different
titles have had over the years, we are thrilled to more fully explore
these much-loved worlds with all-new manga series.”
“The
Dark Crystal and Labyrinth movies are so loved and iconic, and I
have no doubt that MirrorMask will achieve the same status -- so
it’s a joy for me and for TOKYOPOP to be able to work with
The Jim Henson Company and Neil Gaiman on these great titles,”
said TOKYOPOP editor Rob Valois.

MORE
HENSON NEWS
• Sid the Science Kid special airs October 26
• Jim Henson's Dinoaur Train premieres September 7
• Dark Crystal and Labyrinth arrive on Blu-ray September 29
• Emmet Otter musical debuts at Goodspeed Opera House
• Houston Henson screenings December 5-7
• The Christmas Toy comes to DVD
• Henson announces Emmet Otter musical
• Henson's "Sid the Science Kid" coming to PBS in September
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