Tor, Seven Seas pact on project

Duo to launch new graphic novel imprint

By MARK SCHILLING

Sci-fi fiction specialist Tor Books and Japanese comics production house Seven Seas Entertainment are joining to launch a new graphic novel imprint, with the first title being Takashi Okazaki's "Afro Samurai."

Okazaki developed the concept that is the basis for the "Afro Samurai" toon miniseries produced by GDH media group subsid Gonzo, together with Fuji Television, Dentsu and Samurai Project.

The miniseries first hit the airwaves on Spike TV in the U.S. in January. It was then reverse imported to Japan, with the Wowow satellite channel broadcasting it in May. A theatrical toon edited from the series bowed in Japan in October.

The graphic novel will be released in the U.S. in August. It will be the first title of the Tor/Seven Seas joint imprint.