AS PREMIERE SPONSOR AS 2023WINNERS ANNOUNCED
ICONIC PUBLISHER OF MANGA TITLES LIKE ATTACK ON TITAN, AKIRA, GHOST IN THE SHELL, AND FAIRY TAIL TO SPONSOR WINNERS FOR PUBLICATION IN THE USA
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 31st, 2024) – Kodansha, one of Japan’s largest publishers and the driving force behind global manga phenomena such as “Attack on Titan”, “Akira” and “Fairy Tail,” has announced its premiere sponsorship of the 2024 Script2Comic Contest. This collaboration offers an unprecedented opportunity for creators: winning entries will not only be published in the USA by AMP Comics but also have the potential to be published as manga in Japan and developed into an animated series by Kodansha. This marks a significant step in the publisher’s ongoing mission to nurture new talents in the realm of comics and graphic novels.
“We at Kodansha are thrilled to be the premiere sponsor of the 2024 Script2Comic Contest. This partnership embodies our enduring commitment to discovering new talents in the world of manga and graphic novels. We believe that this contest offers a unique platform for storytellers to bring their visions to life and potentially reach a global audience. As a leading publisher in Japan, we are excited to see the innovative and inspiring works that will emerge from this collaboration and look forward to bringing the winning entries to readers around the world,” ,” said Yohei Takami, Director of the Rights Media Business Division of Kodansha.
The Script2Comic Contest (www.script2comic.com), renowned for transforming screenplays, teleplays, short stories, or comic scripts into published works, opens for entries today. Kodansha’s sponsorship provides creators a pathway into the American and potentially the Japanese comic markets. Kodansha’s involvement adds a new layer of prestige to the contest, which already boasts backing from notable industry players like Motor Content (Knightfall, The Founder), and previous sponsors such as Picturestart (Strays, Borderlands) and Mosaic (Talladega Nights, Anchorman).
Don Handfield, founder of the Script2Comic Contest, commented on the partnership: “Joining forces with Kodansha is a landmark moment for us. Their legacy in manga and commitment to storytelling excellence aligns perfectly with Script2Comic Contest’s vision. The soaring popularity of manga in the United States and around the world is a testament to its unique appeal. Manga’s ability to consistently outperform traditional comics in sales highlights not just a trend, but a shift in what audiences want. In sponsoring the Script2Comic Contest, we are excited to tap into this burgeoning market, offering creators an unparalleled opportunity to have their work published and potentially embraced on a global scale.”
AMP Comics, in collaboration with Kodansha, will develop and publish the winning titles in North America. The Kodansha-sponsored winner(s) will also have the opportunity to be adapted into manga by Kodansha in Japan, offering a unique platform for cross-cultural storytelling and audience engagement.
Winners of last year’s 2023 Contest which was sponsored by Motor Content and Amp Comics have just been just announced:
Grand Prize – BearBatFrankenstein by Shaun K Radecki
When a hapless mad scientist’s latest creation turns out to be another epic failure, the mellow monster-gone-wrong boldly sets out to prove him wrong.
First Prize – Honour Bound – Omri Rose
The true story of dishonoured knight Roger Godberd who leads a band of warriors on a quest to rescue the peasants he once swore to protect, his deeds inspiring the legend of Robin Hood.
Second Prize – Ambergris by Jacobo Fe Gismera
In WWII, after crashing in the Sahara Desert, an RAF pilot meets a Tuareg. Regardless of their cultural differences, the bold British and the cryptic Bedouin join forces to traverse a harsh land in search of the weirdest and most valuable substance on earth: whale poop.
Third Prize – Faux by Graham Nelson
When a murderous shape-shifting abomination infiltrates the alpine getaway of a hostile housewives reality show, the newest cast member must discover who is real and who is fake before it’s too late.
Script2Comic launched in 2020 with the purpose of keeping story development going during the pandemic. Several titles have already been set up for development with top industry production companies, including past winners SHE BITES by Hedwig Hale (GRAND PRIZE, fka VAMPIRE’S BABYSITTER), which was optioned for TV development by Westbrook Studios (COBRA-KAI, BEL-AIR) and TRANCE by Joey Capuana (3RD PRIZE, fka HEX).
An esteemed panel of industry veterans will judge the 2024 contest. The lineup includes new judges Eric Williams, partner at Zero Gravity, independent producer Tai Duncan (COP SHOP, THE MARKSMAN), Fidan Manishirova from Westbrook Studios (COBRA KAI, BEL-AIR) and other leading names from the entertainment and publishing industry to be announced soon.
Early Bird Entries for the 2024 Script2Comic Contest begin today, January 31, exclusively through Coverfly.com. The contest will run through June 30th. For more information or to enter the contest, please visit: www.script2comic.com
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