DC COMICS FLEXING MANGA MUSCLES

DC COMICS INVESTS IN JAPANESE PUBLISHER FLEX COMICS

New York, New York -- DC Comics, the world's largest English language comic book publisher announced today an investment in Flex Comix, a newly established manga production and publishing company in Japan. Flex Comix is comprised of a diverse consortium of investors including DC Comics, SOFTBANK TECHNOLOGY, Archetype Technologies, MOVIDA ENTERTAINMENT and T&M. Flex Comix will create original manga titles that will be distributed digitally across the web and on mobile phones with subsequent print editions available through traditional book trade outlets throughout Japan.
The agreement will position DC Comics as the worldwide English language print and digital publisher of titles created by Flex Comix. In March 2007, DC established DC Comics Japan, Ltd. to invest into and manage its interest in Flex Comix. This marks the first time an English-language publisher has made a significant investment in an overseas manga company. The move will complement DC’s existing manga imprint, CMX.
“Flex Comix’ publishing model provides a cutting-edge platform for manga readers to enjoy our titles in online, mobile and print formats,” said Seiji Takakura, CEO of Flex Comix. “DC Comics and Flex Comix have forged a partnership that will bring authentic Japanese manga to the worldwide English language audience in new and exciting ways. We have many exciting plans in the works that we will be announcing in the coming months.”
"Flex Comix is an innovative force within the exciting world of manga,” said Paul Levitz, DC Comics President and Publisher. “We look forward to working closely with them.”
“Flex Comix represents the synergy between several important and diverse mediums, including video games, marketing, IP creation companies and world class technology - all dedicated to creating original manga and then bringing those properties to film, television and interactive entertainment," said John Nee, DC Comics Vice President of Business Development and Flex Comix Board Member. "Our strategy for both digital and traditional publishing builds on our existing commitment to bring great comics to fans worldwide.”
Details on the exact nature of the DC Comics/Flex publishing plan will be announced at a later date.

may the force be with you