Manga Classics Offers New Takes on Classic Literature

UDON knows a thing or two about adapting Capcom works and various other anime properties. Now, they're planning to set their sights on some less conventional targets when it comes to comic adaptation: classic literature. Those adaptations will take place under a new line in the company's already stellar line-up called Manga Classics. And the first two books to get the UDON treatment are none other than Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. Both will be released in hardcover, softcover and digitally on August 27th 2014. Preview copies will be available at San Diego Comic Con International, July 23-27.

Intended for a young adult audience, Manga Classics are just as likely to be enjoyed in readers’ free time as in the classroom. The gripping and intense stories and lush artwork will place them alongside today’s bestselling popular manga, with strong and accurate adaptations that will please even the toughest teacher or librarian. Manga Classics are also a great way for for adult readers to rediscover their favorite classics, or experience them for the first time. Produced by UDON Entertainment, an international publisher and creative services agency, and Morpheus Publishing Limited, an Asian publishing and art agency, these books are of incredibly high quality and authenticity, and will appeal to fans of the classics--and those who've always 'meant to get around to reading them'--alike.

Les Misérables features art by SunNeko Lee, adaptation by Crystal Silvermoon and English script by Stacy King. Adapted for stage and screen, loved by millions, Victor Hugo’s classic novel of love & tragedy is reborn in this fantastic new manga edition. The art of Lee brings to life the tragic stories of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert and the resilient and defiant Fantine, in this epic adaptation of Les Misérables. Pride & Prejudice is beloved by millions the world over, and transformed in this bold new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache and romance of Austen’s original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

Full press release below.

Rediscover the Classics...! 'Manga Classics' present fresh new takes on classic literature! You may know UDON from our high quality creative-services work, our translations of hit video game art books and manga, or maybe you're a hardcore Street Fighter fan, and have been following UDON's Street Fighter comics and graphic novels for the last 11 years...? Well today UDON Entertainment, in partnership with Morpheus Publishing Limited, are proud to bring you an all-new chapter in the company's history: MANGA CLASSICS. A new line of adaptations of literary classics, in an authentic manga format! The first two titles in the UDON Manga Classics line are Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, and they will be released in hard cover, soft cover, and digitally, on August 27th 2014. Both titles were previewed in Les Misérables: The Fall of Fantine, a comic book with over 45,000 copiesdistributed at this year's Free Comic Book Day event! The books also had a special advance preview at this past weekend's ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas, where librarians and fans delighted to these marvelous adaptations! Preview copies will also be available at San Diego Comic Con International, July 23-27! UDON Entertainment books are distributed to all markets via Diamond Book Distributors.  About Manga Classics: Intended for a young adult audience, Manga Classics are just as likely to be enjoyed in readers’ free time as in the classroom. The gripping and intense stories and lush artwork will place them alongside today’s bestselling popular manga, with strong and accurate adaptations that will please even the toughest teacher or librarian. Manga Classics are also a great way for for adult readers to rediscover their favourite classics, or experience them for the first time! Produced by UDON Entertainment, an international publisher and creative services agency, and Morpheus Publishing Limited, an Asian publishing and art agency, these books are of incredibly high quality and authenticity, and will appeal to fans of the classics--and those who've always 'meant to get around to reading them'--alike! Follow Manga Classics online at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Keep reading for more information on the first two Manga Classics! Soft cover edition cover artwork Les Misérables By Victor Hugo Art by SunNeko Lee. Adaptation by Crystal Silvermoon. English Script by Stacy King. Adapted for stage and screen, loved by millions, Victor Hugo’s classic novel of love & tragedy is reborn in this fantastic new manga edition! The gorgeous art of SunNeko Lee brings to life the tragic stories of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert, and the resilient and defiant Fantine, in this epic adaptation of Les Misérables! The Manga Classics line features classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in hard cover, soft cover, and digital editions. Manga Classics: Les Misérables Coming August, 2014 Read the first chapter online at the Manga Classics Page on Facebook! July/August Availability at NetGalley Review copies available. HARD COVER EDITION (Cover shown right) Price (U.S.): $24.99 Page Count: 336, Black and White Size: 5.75″ wide X 8.25″ long ISBN: 1-927925-15-0 ISBN-13: 978-1-927925-15-7 SOFTCOVER EDITION Price (U.S.): $19.99 Page Count: 336, Black and White Size: 5.75" wide X 8.25" long ISBN: 1-927925-16-9 ISBN-13: 978-1-927925-16-4 Available for preorder in Comic Book Shops, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, BookDepository.com, and wherever great books are sold! -- Soft cover edition cover Pride & Prejudice By Jane Austen Art by Po Tse. Adaptation by Stacy King. Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen’s original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King. UDON’s Manga Classics line features classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. UDON Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice Coming August, 2014 Read the first chapter online at the Manga Classics Facebook Page! July/August availability on NetGalley Review copies available. HARDCOVER EDITION (Cover shown right) Price (U.S.): $24.99 Page Count: 376, Black and White Size: 5.75″ wide X 8.25″ long ISBN: 1-927925-17-7 ISBN-13: 978-1-927925-17-1 SOFTCOVER EDITION Price (U.S.): $19.99 Page Count: 376, Black and White Size: 5.75″ wide X 8.25″ long ISBN: 1-927925-18-5 ISBN-13: 978-1-927925-18-8 Available for preorder in Comic Book Shops, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, BookDepository.com, and wherever great books are sold! -- Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables will be released in hard cover and soft cover on August 27th, 2014, through comic specialty stores, and the book market. They will also be released digitally through Comixology on that date. -- "Manga Classics" title, logo, and all shown artwork © 2013, 2014 UDON Entertainment & Morpheus Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.