PRH launches new manga/pop comics imprint, Inklore

Big news this morning from Penguin Random House: the debut of Inklore, a new “global pop-comics imprint dedicated to publishing the best in manga, manhua, manhwa, webcomics adaptations, and light novels.” 

The imprint will launch in early 2024 with works from an eclectic list of sources, befitting the mission, including manhwa, European comics, best selling US authors and more, starting with My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999 by Mashiro in early 2024.

If you were wondering what the new, modern take on comics is, this is it; the PR calls Inklore “a pop-comics imprint celebrating the most popular, fan-driven tropes in visual storytelling, with a focus on digital-to-print licensed publishing in the romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and slice-of-life genres.” While the phrase “fan-driven tropes” may sounds ominous, it’s no different than any popular trend that ever drove fans to comics, whether at the newstand or on a phone app.

The line is a joint venture Del Rey UK and will run under the direction of Keith Clayton, VP & Deputy Publisher, Random House Worldsin the US, with comics veteran Rebecca “Tay” Taylor serving as Editorial Director. The UK arm will be run by Ben Brusey, Publishing Director at Century, and Kate McHale, Senior Commissioning Editor at Del Rey UK, leading the editorial vision. 

The team will acquire books for both the US and global distribution, and collaborate with  Penguin Random House North Asia to expand the creative pool.

“At INKLORE, we are building a new home for creators of emotionally rich, visually dynamic, and transportive stories from around the world,” said Taylor. “As an imprint of Random House Worlds, INKLORE will offer creators a multitude of opportunities to connect with a voracious global audience. We welcome storytellers from all backgrounds whose stories rekindle the effortless pleasure of reading for fun. I am so excited about the phenomenal titles we have signed so far, and I can’t wait to meet fans at Anime Expo in Los Angeles on July 1^st.”

My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999 is described as “a gamer rom-com manga series by Mashiro, originally published in Japanese by ComicSmart.” The deal was brokered by Rebecca Taylor at Inklore with Mangamo for World English rights.

More titles on the debut list:

Under the Oak Tree is a fantasy romance novel by KIM Suji, originally published in Korean by RIDI Corporation. The novel has been adapted into a webcomic, adapted and illustrated by Seomal, namu, & P. The webcomic is currently being published both in Korean and English by RIDI and Manta, content publishing platforms of RIDI Corporation. The deal for the World English rights has been brokered by RIDI Corporation, with the first volume of the novel scheduled for release in Summer 2024.

The Heavens, an adult fantasy space opera original graphic novel series written by #1 New York Times bestselling Lev Grossman (The Magicians) and Eisner nominated Lilah Sturges (Girl Haven), pitched as Succession meets The Empire Strikes Back. First volume scheduled for release in 2027. Three book deal brokered by Janine Kamouh of WME and Dara Hyde of Hill Nadell Agency for North American rights.

Northern Lights, a YA fantasy graphic novel series by Malin Falch, originally published in Norwegian by Egmont. First volume scheduled for release in 2024. Deal brokered by Tuomas Sorjamaa at Rights and Brands for World English rights.

Cherry Blossoms After Winter, a childhood-friends-to-lovers BL manhwa by Bamwoo, originally published in Korean. First volume scheduled for early 2024. Deal brokered by Tappytoon for World English rights.

You can follow Inklore on Twitter and other social media platforms. 

CORRECTION: The headline for this story originally read “PRH launches new manga/webtoon imprint, Inklore” using the generic term “webtoon” to convey the kind of material the imprint will release, however, at the request of PRH I’ve changed it to “pop comics” because although I know webtoon is a generic term, it might have caused confusion that the imprint is allied with the website Line WEBTOON. It is not.