TokyoPop Gets Mobile Telephonic Comics: The Future of Comics?
With an estimated 650 million wireless phones sold this past year alone, the world of cellphone users is growing exponentially and the forward-thinking publishers of TokyoPop know a potential comic reading audience when they see it.
In an exclusive arrangement with wireless content provider GoComics the popular manga publisher has made Princess Ai available for wireless use, with two more titles to follow. And their choices reveal TokyoPop's plans for attracting the mass-market audience by appealing directly to the demographics of those who use cellular phones. "Princess Ai is the #1 selling manga hit comic that appeals to women 16-25. @Large has a following of men 18-30 and ShutterBox is favored by women 13 to 20. These are great demographics for mobile phone users," said GoComics CEO Chris Pizey in a press release this weekend.
Will comics on mobile handhelds be the future of the comic industry or will it be just another way to get comics into the people's hands? Only time will tell...