TOKYOPOP Announces New NOIR CAESAR Manga Inspired Graphic Novels
Publisher TOKYOPOP and Noir Caesar Entertainment, a black-owned indie creative company that supports and nourishes content from marginalized communities across various media, have announced a pair of upcoming new manga-inspired, original graphic novels scheduled as the next releases under the TOKYOPOP X Noir Caesar publishing partnership.
ARMS OF THE DRAGON is a tale of redemption and revenge of two brothers that is available now. It will be followed by ORDINAL TEMPEST, a mecha-driven sci-fi action series set to launch in February.
Both new releases will make ideal and topical titles to cover in conjunction with Black History Month which kicks off on February 1st. They emphasize the great creative spirit that Noir Caesar is fostering among BIPOC comics fans and creators.
ARMS OF THE DRAGON, Vol. 1, created by Marcus Kwabena and John Lawrence, written by John Lawrence, art by Chris Kady ∙ Print SRP: $13.99 ∙ 236 pages ∙
ISBN: 978-1427873309 ∙ For Teen Readers ∙ Available Now!
Not everyone chooses the streets. Sometimes, when everything is taken away, it’s all that’s left. The slums of Shindjin have long since been the champion of poverty. Violence and extortion are commonplace, where one’s fate can literally be determined by a roll of the dice. A place where the fallout of these actions fall onto the shoulders of children. Shou and Jun are two such children, torn from the comfort of the lives they knew and thrust into an environment where organized crime is law. With nowhere to turn, they’re forced to become the very thing that ruined their lives.
ORDINAL TEMPEST, Vol. 1, created by Marcus Kwabena, John Lawrence and Chris Krady, written by John Lawrence, art by Chris Krady ∙ Print SRP: $13.99 ∙ 178 pages ∙ ISBN: 9781427873279 ∙ For Teen Readers ∙ Available February 27th
Humanity has discovered that it is not alone.
An anomaly once believed to be the key to understanding the secrets of the universe has instead become the catalyst for a conflict with creatures known as the Strata. It’s a conflict that threatens the existence of all life in the Universe. Piloting a towering biomechanical Symbiote known as an Intrepid, Fiora arrives on the front lines of the war against the Strata. Hoping to tuns the tide and extinguish the seemingly unstoppable blight on humanity, Fiora soon learns that a war is being waged within her as well.
TRY AGAIN, Vol. 1, created by Will Brown, story by Marcus-Kwabena Johnson and John Lawrence, art by Win Delores · SRP: $13.99 · 164 pages · ISBN: 978-1427874054 ·
Available Now
As a member of the Cacciatore Guild, Danielle Burroughs is one of the criminal underworld’s most renowned hitmen. Despite her success, memories from her past bleed into the present and force her to reconsider the life she now leads. Events are set in motion once she kills Emilio Francesca, her caretaker, but accidentally also kills his daughter, Lilio, in the process. She realizes that she’s had enough of this life, one now truly without meaning. Leaving it all behind, she soon realizes that even Death is no escape from her past.
TRY AGAIN is based on an original story idea created by Will Brown, a 15-year music producer with multiple award nominations for his work. His love for anime, games, and comics led him to co-found Noir Caesar Entertainment with former NBA player Johnny O’Bryant III and create this action-packed story.
TRY AGAIN co-writer Marcus Kwabena Johnson is a four-time published comic and manga author. His love for storytelling and African folklore also drives his passion as a creator and is reflected in his works. John Lawrence is the lead writer for Try Again and he aims to bring out the very best Noir Caesar has to offer with his evocative characterization and mature presentation.