Bird Boy Gets Graphic Novel

Anne Szabla has made quite a name for herself with the web comic affectionately known as Bird Boy. As with any web comic though, the audience for such a property is fairly limited. That is, until now. Dark Horse is jumping in and offering the first-time print debut of Bird Boy in a graphic novel collection titled Bird Boy: The Sword of Mali Mani.

“I’m super excited to be bringing Bird Boy to Dark Horse Comics! Some of the first comics I ever bought and enjoyed were Dark Horse comics, and to become part of that legacy now, alongside some of my favorite fellow creators, is really an honor,” said Szabla.

Bird Boy follows the story of Bali, a ten-year-old boy desperate to prove his worth to his northern tribe despite his small stature. Banned from the ceremony that would make him an adult in the eyes of his people, he takes matters into his own hands. To prove that he is capable of taking care of himself, he sets out into the forbidden forest and stumbles upon a legendary weapon. Bali fights his way across a dangerous land of gods, men, and beasts to keep the sword of Mali Mani, the savior of the sun, from the hands of the terrifying rooks.

Bird Boy: The Sword of Mali Mani is in stores May 18, 2016. Full press release below.

“BIRD BOY” WEB COMIC GETS GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEW YORK, NY - Dark Horse is thrilled to announce Anne Szabla’s widely loved web comic, Bird Boy, will debut in print for the first time in a graphic novel collection titled Bird Boy: The Sword of Mali Mani! “I’m super excited to be bringing Bird Boy to Dark Horse Comics! Some of the first comics I ever bought and enjoyed were Dark Horse comics, and to become part of that legacy now, alongside some of my favorite fellow creators, is really an honor,” said Szabla. Bird Boy follows the story of Bali, a ten-year-old boy desperate to prove his worth to his northern tribe despite his small stature. Banned from the ceremony that would make him an adult in the eyes of his people, he takes matters into his own hands. To prove that he is capable of taking care of himself, he sets out into the forbidden forest and stumbles upon a legendary weapon. Bali fights his way across a dangerous land of gods, men, and beasts to keep the sword of Mali Mani, the savior of the sun, from the hands of the terrifying rooks. Bird Boy: The Sword of Mali Mani is in stores May 18, 2016. Preorder your copy today at your local comic shop or through these fine retailers: Amazon Barnes and Noble IndieBound Praise for Anne Szabla’s Bird Boy: “Stunningly beautiful, strange (in the best way possible), and refreshingly original. Oh, and that little guy is just adorable.”—Mike Mignola (Hellboy) “I want to climb into this book and pull its covers up over my head.”—Adam Rex (Chu’s Day, The True Meaning of Smekday) “Anne Szabla’s Bird Boy manages to catch that golden ring of design: something familiar yet somehow brand new. In these days of digital look-alikes, it’s always a treat to find someone with a own voice of their own, and the craft and the courage to use it well!”—Iain McCaig “Wow! I love it! It looks like a cross between anime and those Saturday morning adventure cartoons. I want to read it now.”—Franco (Aw Yeah Comics!) ### For more information or interview opportunities, contact: Aub Driver aubd@darkhorse.com | Steve Sunu steves@darkhorse.com About Dark Horse Comics Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.