In August 2007, Zondervan will introduce twelve graphic novels to launch six series of manga for three different age groups, including both biblically-based stories and contemporary fiction content.

Thereafter, each series will continue to release two books every spring and fall, for a total of four books per series each year.

Why Zondervan Is Doing This ...

Even more than sushi and soy sauce, the Japanese export manga (comics) has exploded in popularity in America—so much so that kids’ and teens’ love for this genre of graphic novels has tripled the market in the past three years! The year 2005 boasted graphic novel sales well over $250 million, with 2006 continuing the growth trend.

And manga’s popularity shows that comics are not just for boys and young men, as this rapidly growing category among tweens and teens claims a 60% female readership. Unfortunately, the current fare often exposes its readers to strong sexual imagery, gratuitous violence, and pagan worldviews. As a healthy alternative, Z Graphic Novels offers young readers six new series of manga graphic novels. Because manga and anime (Japanese cartoons) comprise a strong position in our young people’s culture, we want to meet them through this popular storytelling form to present biblical truth through exciting stories and cutting-edge art.   

View Manga Sampler PDF with feature graphics.




FAQ's

Moving from Japan to San Francisco to live with her grandfather is difficult enough. Now thirteen-year-old Hana must use her grandfather’s martial arts training to battle animal-like warriors from another dimension! And what is the secret of Tomo, her grandfather’s strange pet?

School bullies by day, battles for the Spirit Sword at night! Hana finds Tomo to be a worthy ally against the animal-like ninjas of Argon Falls as she discovers the truth behind the mysterious sword and the unique role she’s been called to play.

Kingdoms™: A Biblical Epic

With Judah pressed between the surrounding empires of Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, the faithful advisor Iddo seeks to choose a just successor to King Josiah, recently fallen in battle. Iddo’s power-hungry peers, however, succeed in placing their puppet on the throne, putting both the nation and Iddo’s family in crisis.

King Jehoahaz ignores Iddo’s counsel against a failed plot to assassinate Pharaoh Neco, and so brings Egypt’s wrath on Judah. But when the balance of power swings from Egypt to the even more oppressive Babylon, Iddo and his family, along with the entire nation of Judah, find themselves caught up in the whirlwind of Nebuchadnezzar’s swift, harsh invasion of Jerusalem.

Hand of the Morningstar

Having taken hostages on an oil rig, the wild and turbulent Tempest appears bent on violence rather than preserving the environment. But when the super-powered Titan leads the servants of the mysterious Morningstar to battle against Tempest, it becomes unclear whether the world should rejoice or despair.

For their victory against Tempest, the world hails Titan and his comrades as heroes while waiting to learn the identity of their mysterious master, Morningstar. But far from the public eye, the destructive power of an oncoming hurricane forces the defeated Michael Tempe to decide whether he will once again become the Tempest in order to protect his new love Elena, the daughter of missionaries