Heralds Convergence of Digital Comics & Publishing
Contents First, the creator of Tappytoon and a global digital comics industry leader specializing in IP development, production, distribution, and transmedia, today announced its groundbreaking partnership with Penguin Random House’s new global pop-comics imprint, Inklore. In an unprecedented move that converges Korean digital comics and traditional publishing, the Inklore-Contents First partnership paves the way for a selection of Contents First webtoons to be published by Inklore as physical books for U.S. and global readers.
The first title, Cherry Blossoms After Winter by Bamwoo, will be released in spring 2024. It is a Boy’s Love (BL) title depicting the bond between two boyhood friends who grow into lovers. More titles are forthcoming. In a move that redefines both industries, Inklore’s goal to bring the voices of international creators and storytellers to an eager global audience aligns with Contents First’s dedication to rich and innovative storytelling, which unlocks vast transmedia opportunities for the company and ensures that both new and existing fans can enjoy and experience these tales across every format.
“Through Tappytoon’s thousands of stories in a wide range of genres, Contents First has served digital comics to millions of Gen Z and Millennial fans around the world,” said Ernest Woo, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Contents First. “As our first title for the Inklore imprint is BL and romance, we look forward to introducing more great titles and genres that Tappytoon readers love.”
“The team at Inklore is very excited to publish Cherry Blossoms After Winter in print for the English-speaking world for the first time,” said Rebecca “Tay” Taylor, editorial director at Inklore. “As fans ourselves, we know that this publication is a highly-anticipated event for many readers.”
Contents First is shaping the webtoon industry by diversifying its premium content offerings and expanding into film, OTT, online games, books, and merchandise. Their ongoing collaborations with industry-leading companies like Naver Webtoon, CJ ENM, Redice Studios, and now Penguin Random House promise unprecedented avenues for growth in the US and globally.