Vertical Inc. News

Three years ago New York publisher Vertical, Inc. sent a message to the comics world as they revealed what at the time was their ultimate weapon against mediocre manga. Developed by manga godfather Osamu Tezuka, Vertical’s MW hardcover was a revolution in localized manga design and narrative blowing away almost anything before it on its way to an Eisner nomination and multiple printings.

Now a new version of their MW is set to take on a more discerning and more sophisticated readership.  Increasingly portable and more affordable than ever before this manga weapon is poised to fall in the hands of even more defiant readers desperate for change in what they consider to be a distorted comics culture.

Comic reporters and weekly publishers agree MW is manga at its darkest. The question here is…Will you succumb to it?

The long wait for the Osamu Tezuka’ classic will soon be over as MW hits the stands on October 30, 2007. Steering clear of the cute designs and slapstick humor that Tezuka defined in such known works as Astro Boy and Kimba, MW is the manga pioneer’s further exploration at redefining and expanding the boundaries of the graphic storytelling medium. Originally serialized in Big Comic in 1976, MW presents the disturbing tale of a man’s loss of conscience and the dichotomous adult life he leads as both society’s darling and its worst nightmare. This decidedly “anti-Tezuka” achievement nevertheless pulsates with his unique genius. And we’ve provided an advance preview of the first chapter to stave off Tezuka withdrawal while you eagerly await release of this masterpiece!