Dark Horse to Publish Zao Dao’s ‘Cuisine Chinoise’ Graphic Novel

Dark Horse announced plans to publish Cuisine Chinoise: 5 Tales of Life and Food by Zao Dao, a collection of comics stories originally published in French that showcase the relationship between Chinese food and culture, that will be published in June 2020.

Originally published by French publishing house Editions Mosquito, the book offers a selection of rich and often humorous stories set in China, including one about insects looking for a meal and another about how a passion for cooking maintains a family legacy. The new title is among several European foreign language works that will be published in English by Dark Horse, which is probably best known for publishing Japanese manga in English translation.

Dark Horse is also the publisher of Blacksad, a popular anthropomorphic noir crime series from France, and most recently published such French comics as Isabellae Volumes 1 and 2, (out now), and will publish titles from Spain (Baboon!), and Italy (Flower of the Witch) in 2020.

Dark Horse director of International Licensing Kari Torson told PW that the U.S. graphic market is changing, and said “my goal is to capitalize on this momentum.”

“Mainstream publishers have become more interested in the graphic novel market, including books in translation, the conversation has shifted and we’ve all become more competitive, especially in the children’s market which continues to see significant growth,” she explained.

Torson said Dark Horse is open to all kinds of works in translation in all genres including works for adults and for children. There isn’t “a particular editorial focus,” she said.

“you can expect to see fresh and rarely seen perspectives; stories that challenge stereotypes, societal norms and expectations; and stories that bridge cultural and generational divides,” she said. “It’s idealistic, to be sure, but our role as publishing professionals grants us the unique and privileged access to stories that transcend our own geographic boundaries. We’re veritable literary gatekeepers and it’s time we got out the bolt cutters.”