C’mon Barbie, get in your decked-out, pink Sizzling Wheels automobile and let’s go occasion at TOKYOPOP!
Mattel and TOKYOPOP are teaming as much as deliver these two childhood icons into a brand new storytelling world with a western-style manga graphic novel sequence. These graphic novels is categorized for youngsters ages 8 to 12, however that doesn’t imply adults can’t go down nostalgia lane. The primary titles will debut in print in 2026 and options authentic tales and art work, graphic novel sequence impressed by Sizzling Wheels and new tales that includes characters from Barbie.
Each Ryan Ferguson, Mattel’s World Head of Publishing, and Marc Visnick, TOKYOPOP’s COO and Writer, have expressed pleasure in regards to the collaboration. “We look ahead to sharing these legendary manufacturers and daring new adventures to our international viewers of readers,” Visnick stated.
This isn’t the primary time these Mattel manufacturers have been re-imagined in graphic print format. Dell Comics printed the Barbie and Ken comedian guide sequence in 1962, then just below 30 years later, Marvel printed Barbie and Barbie Style in 1991 which highlighted Barbie’s varied careers together with a designer, musician, and actor. Papercutz additionally launched a sequence of Barbie graphic novels in 2016. TOKYOPOP has additionally launched their very own Barbie sequence, though these have been “Cine-Manga” storybooks that included screenshots from the varied TV and movie animations.
Sizzling Wheels, as compared, doesn’t boast fairly as huge of a graphic novel adaptation. DC Comics launched a six-issue sequence in 1970.
The primary Barbie doll, launched in March 1959, wore a black-and-white striped swimsuit, and regardless of preliminary criticisms, it bought 350,000 models in its first yr. Since then, it has grow to be a family identify for households. Barbie has starred in quite a few TV and movie animations and lately launched a live-action adaptation in July 2023 which grew to become the highest-grossing movie of that yr.
Invented by Elliot Handler, Sizzling Wheels debuted in Might 1967 with ‘The Authentic Candy 16’ line and have become an infinite risk to Matchbox starting in 1968. A live-action Sizzling Wheels movie has been in dialog as early as 2003 however after a lot back-and-forth with rights being handed from Columbia Photos to Warner Bros., it has been comparatively quiet on that entrance.
Supply: TOKYOPOP and Mattel
