Plans call for the Digimon comic book series to hit both the mass-market (or newsstand) and the direct-sales market (specialty/comic book stores) around June 2000. Promotional support for this series includes a number of Fox Kids/Saban Consumer Products and Dark Horse POS posters, trade and consumer ads, website support, and many more marketing initiatives.
"The Fox Kids Digimon show is all about adventure, fantastic creatures, and a striking anime style, making it a natural for comic book adaptation," said Elie Dekel, President, Saban Consumer Products.
"Dark Horse is ecstatic at the opportunity to bring Digimon to a whole new audience, with the help of our friends at Fox Kids and Saban," said Mike Richardson, President, Dark Horse Comics and Dark Horse Entertainment.
Digimon: Digital Monsters tells the story of eight kids suddenly thrust into the Digiworld where they befriend a group of friendly monsters called Digimon. With the help of their new human friends, these Digimon have the ability to transform into larger creatures to help save the Digital world from evil. The show airs on Fox Kids Network weekdays and Saturday mornings.
In the direct comics market, Dark Horse is releasing four issues of this sure-fire hit over seven weeks in June and July. Issues #1-4 of Digimon Adventures are adapted directly from the television series and feature fun, kid-friendly art from Daniel Horn (issue #1), Andy Kuhn (issue #2), Nigel Dobbyn (issue #3), and Ryan Hill (issue #4).
Dark Horse Comics is the world's leading publisher of licensed comics. Dark Horse currently publishes successful, ongoing lines of comic books based on Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Predator, and Xena: Warrior Princess in addition to a full line of creator-owned, company-owned, and translated Japanese comics (manga). Dark Horse comics are distributed on newsstands, in bookstores and major mainstream outlets, and in the direct comics-specialty market.
Saban Consumer Products is at the forefront of the kids entertainment business and has forged powerful alliances with key companies like Bandai, Hasbro, McDonald's, Microsoft, NASCAR, Toys R Us, and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. The department delivers innovative properties to market in all forms of consumer products and promotions and -- from classic brands to breakthrough successes -- Saban Consumer Products' innovation and marketing drive have resulted in creating some of the most successful brands in the entertainment license industry.