Broken Frontier

TOKYOPOP Inc.,the country's number one graphic novel publisher with nearly 28 million books in print, has planned a summer befitting royalty for its best-selling series Princess Ai.

One year after the series' coronation at #1 in Nielsen BookScan sales reports, TOKYOPOP is releasing Princess Ai: Lumination, the second book in the Gothic fantasy thrillogy, created by an unparalleled royal manga family that includes writer-producer D.J. Milky (the upcoming Juror 13), renowned Japanese artist Misaho Kujiradou, rock and film star Courtney Love and celebrated international manga-ka Ai Yazawa (Paradise Kiss).

Marking a crowning achievement for TOKYOPOP, the release of Princess Ai's second installment brings TOKYOPOP's tally of manga volumes to one thousand...and counting! In celebration of this seminal moment in its history, the company is thrilled to announce a cosplay contest at San Diego Comic-Con on July 16, 2005. Fans are encouraged and challenged to create their favorite Princess Ai outfit for the chance to receive fabulous prizes, including free cell phones, wallpaper downloads, T-shirts-all of which are part of the full line of Princess Ai merchandise that also includes posters, calendars and bookmarks.

And the royal merchandise treatment doesn't stop there! Bleeding Edge, a cutting-edge Los Angeles-based collectible doll manufacturer, is launching a line of Princess Ai 12" fashion dolls and 7" vinyl dolls. Featuring the unique fashions that Princess Ai sports, along with her mysterious locket and signature ripped stockings, each doll will come with a sampler of Princess Ai: Lumination. In addition, Princess Ai: Lumination will feature pages that depict the process of designing, sculpting and manufacturing the dolls.

Princess Ai: Lumination continues the amazing journey of Ai, a mysterious alien who is lost in our world. Throw in a group of assassins hot on her tail, crowds of protesters, and an adventure filled with the unexpected risks of fame, Lumination is shaping up to surpass the success of the series' debut volume.

"It has truly been a privilege to work with such an amazing group of creators on this very special project," said D.J. Milky, co-creator of the series. "Courtney is really a visionary who has gone through many trials and tribulations, Yazawa-san was so incredibly creative that it blew me away, and seeing Kujiradou-san's storyboards and pencils come through chapter by chapter has been nothing short of magical."

"I think last year's release of Princess Ai raised the bar in manga storytelling, with its unique blend of out-of-this world fantasy mixed with a cool, lyrical authentic narrative," added Rob Tokar, TOKYOPOP senior editor. "We have an unmatched creative team behind the franchise and fair warning to all, for the next volume, we have many more twists and turns up our sleeves!"

Princess Ai: Lumination will be available beginning in July at all major book, comic, video, specialty and music stores nationwide at $9.99 (SRP).