Hey what would a 20th anniversary year be without a big announcement? As we announced today at the Beat 20 panel and the Manga Industry panel, The Beat is partnering with Tapas Entertainment to launch a sister site: Kcomicsbeat.com, that will cover Korean comics content, vertical scrolling comics, Korean drama pop and culture and more!
The Beat and co-publisher Deb Aoki are thrilled to have Tapas Entertainment as our launch sponsor and partner.
The site was announced today and will officially go online in the next few weeks. In the meantime, sign up to know when the site goes live and to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
I’ll have more details on this – a lot more – in the coming days but here’s the launch PR:
Tapas Entertainment and ComicsBeat Unveil K-ComicsBeat: A Gateway to Korean Comics
New Platform Dedicated to Korean Comics Aims to Expand North American Audience
Tapas Entertainment and ComicsBeat are proud to unveil their latest collaboration: K-ComicsBeat (kcomicsbeat.com), a new sister site of The ComicsBeat, that will spotlight Korean comics, webcomics, manhwa, and vertical scrolling digital comics (also known as webtoons). A first of its kind, the platform aims to offer synergy between the growth of K-Comics and the broader Korean cultural movement currently happening in the U.S. This exciting venture is set to launch during San Diego Comic-Con International 2024, promising to bring a fresh wave of Korean storytelling to the American audience.
Helmed by ComicsBeat founder and veteran comics journalist Heidi MacDonald, along with famed manga and manhwa expert Deb Aoki, K-ComicsBeat aims to become the go-to platform for discovering the latest in K-Comics, digital comics, and mobile comics.
“K-ComicsBeat is a pivotal advancement in our mission to diversify and enrich the global comics landscape,” explains Jayden Kang, COO of Tapas Entertainment. “By launching this groundbreaking website at San Diego Comic-Con International, one of the world’s premier comic conventions, we are underscoring our dedication to bringing Korean comics to a wider audience. This initiative will not only provide a platform for K-Comics enthusiasts but also foster a vibrant community where fans and newcomers can discover, appreciate, and celebrate the unique world of Korean comics. We are confident that K-ComicsBeat will become an invaluable resource for all who explore it.”
The website will not only introduce American readers to new and exciting K-Comics but also provide a comprehensive history of the K-Comics movement. This platform is designed to expand the US audience for Korean comics, global webcomics, and scrolling digital comics and foster a space where the K-Comics community can share ideas and celebrate their passion.
Heidi MacDonald, founder of The Beat, stated, “‘Comics’ reach has always been global, and with the spread of the mobile webcomic format – which was invented in Korea – we’re seeing it happen again. With K-ComicsBeat, we’re going to not only tell the story of the talent and stories emerging from Korea, but how that influence is expanding worldwide. And we couldn’t have a better partner than Tapas Entertainment to help us bring this vision to life.”
Deb Aoki, Co-Publisher and Business Development Lead for K-ComicsBeat added, “As more comics readers discover the world of Korean comics, vertical scrolling webcomics, along with K-dramas and anime based on webcomics, it only made sense to create a dedicated place where fans can get the latest news and discover awesome webcomics worth reading. After years covering the Japan / US manga publishing scene, I’ve been paying a lot of attention lately to the dynamic and ever-changing world of Korean comics publishing and its ties to movies, TV shows, anime, and K-Pop. I’m so excited to share the trends and insights I’ve been discovering in S. Korea, Japan, and N. America with readers in the weeks to come.”
The writing team behind K-Comics Beat is a powerhouse of talent, featuring renowned writers and editors such as Adam Wescott, Justin Guerrero, Beau Q., Merve Giray, Hilary Leung, Humberto Saabedra, Tiffany Babb, and Deb Aoki. This diverse group brings a wealth of experience and a shared passion for comics, ensuring a wide range of compelling content for readers.
Deb and Heidi will both be talking more about K-ComicsBeat at this year’s San Diego Comic Con International. Heidi will talk about it on her panel The Beat at 20: Creators on the Past and Future of Comics, Thursday, 7/25/24, 4:30PM – 5:30PM, Room: 24ABC, with superstars Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud. Deb will be introducing K-ComicsBeat to readers at her San Diego Comic-Con panels, including the Manga Publishing Industry Roundtable, which will be held on Thursday, July 25, from 5:00PM – 6:00PM in room 29AB.
The official launch of K-ComicsBeat at San Diego Comic-Con International 2024 will feature exclusive previews, monthly top title lists, guides on choosing what K-Comics to read, and articles on the history of K-Comics designed to engage fans and industry professionals alike.
For more information, go to KComicsBeat.com or follow on all social media platforms at @KComicsBeat.
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