Digital Manga Publishing brings Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D Manga to comiXology

DMP’s flagship manga title makes its debut on the iPad

Kansas City, MO /NY, NY 6/8/11 – Digital Manga Publishing announced today that they are partnering with comiXology, the leading distributor of digital comics, to digitally release their flagship manga title Vampire Hunter D vol. 1-3 to the comiXology storefront for the iOS, Android and Web.

Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D print edition manga was launched in 2007 by Digital Manga Publishing, adapting the well renowned series of prose novel series, which began in the 80’s. Kikuchi mixed elements of gothic horror, science fiction and romance with the classic Western to produce a wholly original, post-apocalyptic vision of the distant future, where humanity is ruled by vampires and tormented by a host of creatures including demons, werewolves and mutants, as well as half-human, half-vampire ‘dhampirs’ like the series’ namesake, D.

“Manga has been in the brick and mortar comic book shops for several decades and Digital Manga Publishing would like to carry on that tradition to the digital frontier,” said Fred Lui, VP-Production of Digital Manga. ”We are partnering with comiXology because of the ubiquitous platform that they have built and the amazing reading experience they are able to provide.” The Vampire Hunter D manga and novels have an international fan base, having sold more than 17 million copies around the world. The property has also been adapted into two anime movies, an audio drama, and a video game. The entry of the Vampire Hunter D manga into the digital edition arena will prove to be equally successful, especially with the reading experience when delivered through comiXology’s Comic App.

“The addition of Digital Manga’s Vampire Hunter D with it’s rich story telling is a great addition to our platform,’ said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “The manga looks especially vibrant in our Guided View format on the iPad and we look forward to adding more of Digital Manga’s titles to our platform in the coming months.”

Through this partnership Digital Manga Publishing will be releasing more of their acclaimed titles through comiXology platform.

All volumes of Vampire Hunter D will be available on the comiXology platform for $9.99 each with 20 pages of the first volume can be read for free. You can find their dedicated web storefront at comics.comixology.com/dmp and all purchases are buy once, read anywhere.

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 and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts over 9,000 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/

About Digital Manga Publishing

Located in Gardena, CA, Digital Manga Publishing is one of the industry’s most unconventional and innovative companies, specializing in building corporate and cultural bridges from Japan to the Western Hemisphere - specifically through the licensing, importation and localization of anime (Japanese animation), manga (Japanese comic books) and related merchandise for the North American mainstream and subculture markets. In this capacity, Digital Manga Inc. serves as a catalyst for the expansion of Japanese pop culture institutions into global arenas. The company’s diverse manga imprint line includes high profile manga/anime titles such as Vampire Hunter D; popular romance titles–Only the Ring Finger Knows; classic iconic titles–Speed Racer Mach GoGoGo; and award nominated titles–Itazura Na Kiss (Young Adult Library Service Assoc.) and Antique Bakery (Eisner Award). Digital Manga Publishing also caters to the young audience with a vast array of educational and instructional line of books with their Edu-Manga series and Let’s Draw Manga series.

For more information about Digital Manga Publishing, visit www.digitalmanga.com as well as: www.emanga.com

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