Skyjack to launch Moshi Monsters title

By John Freeman on February 11, 2011

Skyjack Publishing, the company behind their own title, Megaton and who have also packaged comics such as Ben 10 for Egmont, launch a new UK monthly magazine, Moshi Monsters, later this month.

Based on the hugely popular online game that lets you adopt your own monsters, the 52-page magazine is aimed at boys and girls aged six to 12-years old, and will feature have puzzles, activities, recipes, comic strips – including work from comic creators such as former TOXIC artist Jon Rushby – and competitions about the Moshi Monsters world.

Issue 1 includes two free in-game items for kids to decorate their monster’s rooms, as well as two packets of Moshi Bandz and a pack of Topps Mash Up! trading cards.

Described as Tamagotchi meets Brain Training online for kids, Moshi Monsters is the phenomenally successful web game for children that allows them to create virtual pets, which they then maintain by way of educational based gameplay.

Launched in January 2009, Moshi Monsters now has over 30 million players worldwide and is not only one of the largest children’s websites in the world, but is also one of the fastest growing children’s entertainment properties ever – and it’s estimated that one in three British children in the target age group have created a Moshi Monster online.

As an added bonus for Moshi fans, the magazine will feature secret codes to hidden levels and exclusive redeemable in-game items.

• Moshi Monsters goes on sale on 17th February, with a cover price of £2.99.

• Skyjack Publishing: http://www.skyjackpublishing.co.uk/

• Moshi Monsters Magazine: www.moshimag.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.