Hachette Launches Comics Imprint

by Calvin Reid, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 11/3/2006

The Hachette Book Group is launching Yen Press, a new comics and graphic novel imprint that will focus on titles for adults and young readers, PW Daily learned this morning. The imprint will be directed by former DC Comics v-p Rich Johnson, who joined Hachette last month, and Kurt Hassler, formerly the graphic novel buyer for the Borders Group, who will join Yen Press November 27.

The creation of Yen is the latest indication of swift maturation of book format comics publishing in the trade book market. David Young, CEO of the Hachette Book Group USA, said "the graphic novel business is one of the fastest growing fields in publishing. We are thrilled to have two of the most respected names in the graphic novel buisness."

Yen Press will focus on publishing licensed manga, Hassler’s speciality, but will also publish a wide variety of comics works. Young said the list will include original manga, original American comics and graphic novels, webcomics, licensed adaptations and children’s works.

Hassler and Johnson have been named co-publishing directors and will report to Megan Tingley, v-p, publisher of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Hassler is considered a pioneer in selling manga into the American market. Through his influence and expertise, he is credited with making Borders into the premier retailer of manga in the U.S.Johnson was previously v-p of book trade sales at DC comics for nearly 10 years and was instrumental in establishing a market for DC Comics titles in the book trade.

This article originally appeared in the November 3, 2006 issue of PW Daily. For more information about PW Daily, including a sample and subscription information, click here »

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