TOKYOPOP and The Jim Henson Company Release Legends of The Dark Crystal:The Garthim Wars
Original Graphic Novel Based on The Dark Crystal scheduled for Holiday 2007 Release
Los Angeles, CA (September 18, 2007) - TOKYOPOP, the #1 publisher of manga in the U.S. and The Jim Henson Company, the worldwide leader in puppetry, animatronics, and family entertainment for more than half a century, are thrilled to announce Legends of The Dark Crystal: The Garthim Wars, the all-new manga prequel to The Dark Crystal, Henson's classic tale of good vs. evil. Written by Barbara Randall Kesel (Meridian), with illustrations by Heidi Arnhold & Max Kim and a special cover painted by Jae-Hwan Kim (Warcraft, War Angels, King of Hell), Legends of The Dark Crystal: The Garthim Wars provides a unique opportunity to further explore this unparalleled world, manga-style!
The Dark Crystal feature film was conceived and directed by Jim Henson after his success with The Muppet Show. It was released in 1982, and has since gone on to become one of the most popular fantasy films in history, while also becoming an important part of Henson's legacy. The Dark Crystal told the story of Jen and Kira, the last of their kind living in a fractured world precariously balanced between the forces of good and evil. TOKYOPOP's manga prequel takes place hundreds of years before the events of the film, when the gentle Gelflings and wise Mystics are still thriving. And so, unfortunately, are the evil Skeksis...
According to Rob Tokar, TOKYOPOP Editor-in-Chief, "The Dark Crystal has a large, passionate group of fans, and I personally know many people who count themselves among them. Like so much of the TOKYOPOP staff, Editor Tim Beedle also grew up as a big fan of The Dark Crystal film, and when the opportunity presented itself to collaborate with The Jim Henson Company on a prequel, he leapt at it. It's a responsibility that all of us involved have taken very seriously, and I hope it's evident in the amazing creative team we've brought together for this book. Barbara, Heidi and Tim have really helped to expand this remarkable universe and have given us a great story that I think the fans are going to love."
LiSA Henson, co-CEO of The Jim Henson Company said, "The Dark Crystal is a fan favorite and is constantly discovered by new audiences who enjoy the rich detail of the fantastical characters and their world. TOKYOPOP has been a wonderful partner in this project and we are excited for both manga and Dark Crystal fans to explore the saga's newest chapter."
Lahr and Neffi are gentle and fun-loving Gelflings who want little more than to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and love. But when their villages are attacked and plundered by the violent Garthim, their worlds are turned upside down as they narrowly escape with their lives. Now, united against insurmountable odds, the two Gelflings must put aside their peaceful ways and emerge as heroes to lead a frightened neighboring village into something they never thought they'd face-war.
Celebrate Jim Henson's visionary fantasy classic by returning once again to the world of Gelflings, Mystics, and Skeksis in this exciting new TOKYOPOP manga prequel, available in stores nationwide in November, 2007.
About TOKYOPOP
TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and
an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision
that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the
first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the
development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film,
television and digital entertainment, TOKYOPOP has changed the way teens
experience pop culture. The company's global reach has expanded to
Europe and Asia, with recent offices opening in the UK and Germany and
partnerships in Australia and China, in addition to its original Los
Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto
www.TOKYOPOP.com, reading its books, and watching its DVDs and
television programs, TOKYOPOP's award-winning catalogue of licensed and
original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing
teen entertainment marketplace. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional
information.
About THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family
entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an
innovator in puppetry, animatronics and computer graphics. Best known as
creators of the world famous Muppets (the rights to which are now owned
by The Walt Disney Company), Henson is the recipient of over 50 Emmy
Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Credits include the Saturn Award-winning
Farscape and the features MirrorMask, Five Children and It and Good
Boy!. With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson
Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin
lot complete with soundstage and post-production facilities.
Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder
Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop, a
pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with
international film, television and advertising clients, as well as
Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording
facilities known for its world-class blend of state of the art and
vintage equipment. The Company recently launched Puppet Up! -
Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show that has played to sold
out crowds in Aspen, Hollywood, Edinburgh, Sydney and Melbourne and
premiered as a special on TBS. The Company has also announced the
creation of Jim Henson Designs, a merchandise collection inspired by Jim
Henson's earliest sketches. The Jim Henson Company's website is located
at: www.henson.com
