But let's face it: the only news I REALLY want from Yen Press is an announcement of when they'll be releasing the rest of ICE Kunion's titles. (Must... read... Angel Diary....)

I suppose their other press releases are okay, too, though. Check out this one, particularly if you're a James Patterson fan:

"NEW YORK, NY (December 6, 2007) - Hachette Book Group USA announced today that its graphic novel imprint, Yen Press, has acquired world rights to a graphic edition of James Patterson's young adult series Maximum Ride. The #1 New York Times bestselling series about fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride and her "flock" will be adapted into 30-page manga installments for monthly inclusion in Yen Press' new manga anthology, Yen Plus. The first episode in Patterson's first Maximum Ride title, The Angel Experiment, appears in the inaugural Yen Plus issue scheduled to release in summer 2008. Available through subscription and at major bookstores and comic book retailers across the country, each 460-page issue of Yen Plus will cost $8.99 at retail.

The thrilling non-stop action of the Maximum Ride series will be rendered in a "manga" style, with black & white and color illustrations that will appeal to teens, male and female alike. Select content from the monthly magazine will be featured on the Yen Press website, along with bonus features.

"Featuring Maximum Ride as a staple in the Yen Plus anthology, will, no doubt, increase manga readership and bring it to a completely new level," said Kurt Hassler, Co-Publishing Director of Yen Press. "We are thrilled that James has chosen to bring this dynamic property to the rapidly growing medium of manga."

"I am completely over the moon that Max's story will be told in manga editions," said Patterson. "I can’t imagine a more visual tale than this one. Truly, this is Max taken to the max."

Featuring approximately 12 separate storylines in each anthology, Yen Plus will serve as a vehicle in breaking out and building enthusiasm for new properties from around the world - such as Nightschool by Svetlana Chmakova, already scheduled for the debut anthology.

James Patterson is one of the top-selling writers of all time, with over 140 million books sold. No other author has had more #1 New York Times bestsellers. He lives in Florida with his wife and son, who loves the Maximum Ride books. He says, "I want young Jack to know what his dad does at the office and, hopefully, to be proud." (Newsweek, April 30, 2007)."

Labels: James Patterson, manga