SEVEN SEAS TO LAUNCH NEW SPEED RACER MINISERIES

[MattBrady]

Press Release

Seven Seas Entertainment announced today its agreement with Speed Racer Enterprises to release an all-new original color comic based on Speed Racer, the famous animated TV series from the 1960’s. Like Speed’s race car, the Mach 5, the series will zoom into stores monthly as a 5-issue mini-series starting July, 2006.

“Speed Racer is such an icon that I’m thrilled to be able to release new comics based on the legendary series,” enthused Seven Seas president Jason DeAngelis. “There are lots more stories left to tell in the Speed Racer mythos; stories that today's readers will find both fresh and exciting while staying true to the classic series that has kept fans spellbound since the very first day the Mach 5 roared onto their TV screens.”

In 2005, Seven Seas carved a name for itself in the manga industry for producing original English language manga with high quality art and stories. The Speed Racer mini-series will mark Seven Seas’ first foray into traditional 32-page color comics. For this latest incarnation of Speed Racer, Seven Seas promises an engaging cinematic storyline written by a prominent Hollywood screenwriter, along with dynamic artwork by a top-notch manga artist – both to be announced shortly.

“When Seven Seas approached us with the idea of extending the Classic Speed Racer storylines by creating a new comic book series, we were very intrigued. We feel confident Seven Seas will put out a line of comics that the millions of Speed Racer fans can relate to and will want to purchase for their collections,” said James Rocknowski, executive vice president of Speed Racer Enterprises.

About Seven Seas Entertainment, LLC:
Seven Seas Entertainment is devoted to producing original manga, comics and graphic novels, and bringing the best in Japanese licenses to North American audiences. Established in 2004, the company has released its first four manga titles -- Amazing Agent Luna, Blade for Barter, Last Hope and No Man's Land -- in early 2005, and has an impressive line-up of new series. In addition, Seven Seas will be releasing the hit Boogiepop series in manga and novel format in 2006. Seven Seas launched its web site, www.gomanga.com, in October 2004, and has since become a daily stop for thousands of visitors eager to read manga online and contribute to an ever-growing forum community.

About Speed Racer Enterprises, Inc.
Speed Racer Enterprises, formed in 1991, owns the worldwide rights to the Classic Speed Racer animated television series and manages and controls the merchandising, licensing and promotional activities for the property. For more information on Speed Racer contact James Rocknowski @ mahagogogo@aol.com. Also visit Speed Racer on the web @ www.speedracer.com.

[Bullwinkle]

I really hope this does well. I've been a fan of Speed Racer since I was a kid, and I really didn't mind what Wildstorm did with the character a few years ago .... Why didn't we get more of that?!

Anyway, a new lease of life for the character sounds good, and I am most certainly on board for this one. Best of luck, guys - can't wait to hear more news of this!

- Chris

[astronato]

I am definitely getting this. I really hope they do stay true to the original series. I tried to enjoy the most recent anime update and it just did not have the feel of the original series.

Kabala lives!

[sequart]

I really didn't mind what Wildstorm did with the character a few years ago ...

I didn't LOVE the Wildstorm stuff, but I didn't mind it either... Here's hoping that this series fares a little better.

[razorwing77]

I just wish the original cartoon still came on TV

[samnoir]

It is amazing how this series continues to endure!

I guess with the popularity of Anime these days, it's not suprising given the fact that this was one of the very first Japanese animated series to be imported to a North American audience. I'm sure it's place in animation history is cemeted along with Battle of the Planets and Robotech.

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[NeroMan]

On one hand, I do think Trixie is a fine woman of class and distinction.

On the other hand, what puts this above the Voltron comi, the Ghostbusters comic, Dreamwave's Ninja Turtles and Transformer comics, the Thundercats comic, and the other old license comics I might have forgotten about?

[ErictheRed]

"Oh no! The Mach 5 been sabotage! I'm going to crash up!" I loved the Dexter Laboratory satire. It was great.

[EmeraldGuy32]

awesome.

[Dark Light]

I can't wait to see this series fail. Go Crap Racer go!

[BradyKiller]

There are some cool new toys coming this year from Art Asylum so I guess that is why 7 Seas is jumping on this - I expect a big resurgence in Speed Racer this year.

[EMeadow]

Originally posted by Bullwinkle
I really hope this does well. I've been a fan of Speed Racer since I was a kid, and I really didn't mind what Wildstorm did with the character a few years ago .... Why didn't we get more of that?!

From something I think either Jim Lee or Rich Johnston said (boy that's a heck of a stretch of choices):

Essentially, Wildstorm forgot to look into renewing the license on Speed Racer and by the time they did they couldn't get it again.

It did well for them.

And I was hoping for more of the manga reprints. I've got the first volume.