Webtoon Entertainment Inc, the world’s number one webcomic platform, has announced it has entered into a creative partnership with US comic publisher DC.
The agreement will see DC and Webtoon collaborate on several upcoming webcomic series set in the DC Universe, standalone series that will appeal to all fans, without the need to know or read any previous stories.
Additional details – including information about local language translations – will be supplied in the coming weeks.
Webtoon also has partnerships with US comics publishers Legendary, Pow! and Top Cow/Image. As previously reported, Webtoon and user-generated fiction app Wattpad recently merged their entertainment studio divisions, with parent company Naver committing $100 million funding to produce fan-based franchises. Naver acquired Wattpad in a $600 million deal earlier this year.
“I’m so happy Webtoon is able to work with DC on bringing unique stories to our platform,” said Webtoon CEO, Ken Kim. “Webtoon is a great bridge to a huge worldwide audience of young comic fans, and DC is home to some of the greatest Super Hero stories on the planet.
“The potential to express famous IP through our platform, which is mobile native and focused on ease of access – is super exciting.” he added.
“DC is excited to introduce our iconic characters to a new generation of fans worldwide,” said DC General Manager, Daniel Cherry III. “We’ve been working closely with the Webtoon writers and artists to adapt our characters and stories to Webtoon’s mobile format. Our shared goal is to create fun and compelling DC stories that all readers will enjoy. This partnership is yet another example of DC’s ambition to “meet fans where ever they are” and continue sharing DC fandom. “
“This collaboration is a landmark for us as we work toward a new age of digital comics in the US,” said David Lee, head of content at Webtoon Entertainment. We’re so happy to introduce long-beloved DC characters to our service – and we’re looking forward to sharing more details soon.”
Webtoon® is the world’s leading digital platform for visual storytelling. As the first modern digital publishing and self-publishing platform for digital comics, the company feels it has revolutionised the way visual stories are created and consumed, allowing anyone to become a creator.
Webtoon also has become a cultural and global phenomenon, pioneering the distribution and consumption of web-based comics. With an average of 72+ million monthly active users, more people consume Webtoon series than watch most television shows.
The platform features a broad and diverse catalog of content from all over the world – including romance, thriller, fantasy, comedy and more, and it is the Number One app among 16-24 year olds in Korea and also is in the top tier among the same group in the other countries. (It’s free to download on Android and iOS devices).
Launched in the United States in 2014, Webtoon has thousands of creator-owned series with episodes updating daily. Also boasting partnerships with Legendary, POW!, Top Cow/Image, and more, Webtoon takes storytelling to the next level. Creators have been nominated for multiple Eisner Awards, as well as winning a multitude of Ringo Awards.
DC, a WarnerMedia Company, creates iconic characters such as Batman and Superman, enduring stories, and immersive experiences that inspire and entertain audiences of every generation around the world and is one of the world’s largest publishers of comics and graphic novels. As a creative division, DC is charged with strategically integrating its stories and characters across film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, interactive games, and the DC Universe Infinite digital subscription service and community engagement portal.
• Check out Webtoon at www.webtoons.com (Age verification required)
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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.
Categories: Comics, Creating Comics, Digital Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, US Comics