TOKYOPOP Inc. and Nickelodeon have teamed up to bring Nick’s series THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS into Cine-Manga. Composed of digital images directly from the animation, the full-color books will debut in March 2004.

Fantagraphics Books has announced the complete reprinting of Charles Schulz’s classic PEANUTS comic strips. The collection will be a total of 25 books published two per year for the next 12 1/2 years. The first collection will hits shelves April 1, 2004. THE COMPLETE PEANUTS series will be designed by the cartoonist SETH (PALOOKAVILLE, IT’S A GOOD LIFE IF YOU DON’T WEAKEN) and produced in full cooperation with United Media, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates and Schulz’s widow, Jean Schulz.

Fred Patten takes a look at Allan Neuwirth's new book about the American animation industry.

Fred Patten takes a look at this new book cataloging Spike & Mike's festival compilations and well as other notable edgy indie shorts.

Central Park Media has announced that its fall 2003 line of manga titles will have a smaller size and a reduced price of $9.99. Commencing the launch of the new manga line will be the highly anticipated October 8, 2003 release of POPCORN ROMANCE by acclaimed graphic novelist Tomoko Taniguchi. The story follows two metal-head brothers who worry about their lost love when they take a forced vacation to their grandfather’s farm.

TOKYOPOP Inc. and Courtney Love have teamed up to produce the fantasy manga series, PRINCESS AI, featuring the character design of manga artist Ai Yazawa (PARADISE KISS) and the creative vision of D.J. Milky (KARMA KLUB). The story will follow a smart, talented and an irreverent young princess who utilizes the public stage as a form of self-expression and as a way to hide from her assailants.

Quebec City, Canada-based 88 MPH Studios, Inc. and Disney Publishing Worldwide have announced the introduction of a new monthly TRON comic book series based on the groundbreaking 1982 movie. The first four-part mini-series will hit comic book stores in the U.S. and Canada this winter. 88 MPH Studios will develop comic books based on both the original movie and the new game TRON 2.0, which will be released this August through Buena Vista Games.

Vancouver-based Bardel Entertainment has begun using Flash extensively to create in-house series such as THE MR. DINK SHOW (The Comedy Network) and STORIES FROM THE SEVENTH FIRE (CBC), as well as the recent holiday special THE CHRISTMAS ORANGE (ABC Family and Teletoon). Because of Bardel’s experience, the making of these Flash for broadcast properties has been featured in Macromedia's recent paperback publication FLASH MX -- DESIGN FOR TV AND VIDEO, written by Janet Galore and Todd Kelsey.

TOKYOPOP is about to publish three new manga series based on its successful fan-favorites COWBOY BEBOP, JULINE and HARLEM BEAT. One of TOKYOPOP's best sellers and regularly ranked in the BookScan top 10 graphic novel bestseller list, COWBOY BEBOP is based on the hit anime series which airs on Cartoon Network in the U.S. COWBOY BEBOP: SHOOTING STAR is an alternate telling of the TV show that contains all the same intrigue, adventure, action and noir ambiance of its onscreen counterpart.

Marvel is reviving two classic comic book series, giving each a modern twist. CNN.com has reported that Marvel Comics' upcoming revival of the comic series THE RAWHIDE KID will feature the title character as an openly gay gunslinger. This move marks Marvel's first gay title character in a comic book. THE RAWHIDE KID first debuted in 1955 at the height of Western comic book mania. Although it did not perform well its first time out, the title was revived by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in the '60s and ran for more than 150 issues, ending in 1979.