Marvel and Del Rey Announce Wolverine Manga Series

Posted on April 19, 2008

Marvel Entertainment and Del Rey Manga, which is part of Random House, have announced choice of a creative team who will create a manga based on Wolverine, the popular character from the X-Men franchise. The new series will be penned by Antony Johnston, author of the Alex Rider graphic novels Stormbreaker and Point Blanc. The illustrations will be created by Wilson Tortosa, artist of Tomb Raider and Battle of the Planets.

The new series will focus on the history of the Wolverine character, which is portrayed by Hugh Jackman in the live action movies. There is also a Wolverine film in the works. In the first book Logan, a rebellious teen training in a remote school in the Canadian wilderness, has no memory of his life prior to being found in the forest near the school. But that forgotten life is about to come after him with a vengeance. This is a "shonen" thriller: manga that is aimed at boys through their teens and focuses on action. The first title will debut in Spring, 2009.

Dallas Middaugh, associate publisher of Del Rey Manga, says, "We couldn't have picked a better team for this project. Antony has completely reimagined Wolverine, and has given him a gripping new back story. Wilson's art is dynamic and very much in the style of shonen manga. This is going to be a great book!"

Update: The title of the first comic is Prodigal Son.