Broken Frontier

Insight Studios Group, long known for creating diverse and award winning comics has joined the Manga revolution. "TOKYO" trained artist Joanna Estep and "POP" punk singer-songwriter Allan Gross from Insight Studios have begun a collaboration with TOKYOPOP to present: "ROADSONG".

TOKYOPOP's line of original Manga continues to break new ground with ROADSONG, the first of a three part series that will be released in January 2006. It is a unique blend of talents and art and writing styles that will resonate with both Manga and traditional comic book readers.

As editor Lillian Diaz-Przybyl points out, "On the surface, it's a band on the run story-'Almost Famous' meets 'The Fugitive,' you know, but the book caught me right off the bat as something really fun and different. It's a story that's difficult to peg with a single genre, but at least in my mind, that's actually a big part of the appeal. There are sports elements, music elements, romance, drama and suspense, and a little comedy thrown in for good measure!"

Monty McBride and Simon Smallwood are two cute high school boys who are polar opposites. Forced together when they become fugitives for a heinous crime they did not commit, they survive on the road by using their extraordinary talent as musicians. Along the way, they face the seedy underbelly of the music scene, where they meet strippers, prostitutes, cruel bar owners, a beautiful bad cop and a crazy karaoke singing killer! In this world, learning lessons about love, life and friendship is paramount to survival.

"One of the first things people are struck with when they see pages from this book is the super-cool stylish art of Joanna Estep," says co-creator, Allan Gross. "Everyone around the office is always commenting on how awesome this book looks," Lillian adds. It helps that Joanna's Japanese roots run deep. As a graduate in graphic design and Japanese Language, Joanna has lived and worked in Japan, with her art described as a "perfect blend of Eastern and Western comicking sensibilities". And her personal love of Manga is a natural outgrowth of these influences. Her passion for comics, as displayed in her award-winning book on sequential art and design, makes the artwork a living breathing experience for the reader.

Meanwhile, Allan Gross takes his experiences as a comic book writer and long time performing singer songwriter to bring a real life feel to this wild adventure. As Allan explained, "Gigging up and down the East Coast for a decade in crappy bars I saw it all. Monty and Simon will experience the same highs and lows, from the raucous gigs to the hopes and heartbreaks of trying to succeed in that tough world. That life was one of the things that eventually drove me from my band to writing comics! It's true, I miss playing the Bachelorette parties - but I sure don't miss having to haul my amp home at four in the morning!"

Like Monty and Simon, Joanna and Allan are a unique partnership that works to create a fulfilling Manga experience for all! The "tour" begins in January. It's time to get your front row seat to a world of adolescent romance and adventure - without the acne!

More information on the series, the characters, the creators and a complete preview of the cover and first chapter can be found at TOKYOPOP's web site! Simply follow the link for a preview of the cover and the first chapter: http://tinyurl.com/9kg5s