Tokyopop is publishing more work by American creators in the future, in two forms -- original manga and through a second round of its Rising Stars competition.  Three original titles by American creators are planned for late this year (World of Hearts, At Large, and Shutterbox), and one for 2004 (Karma Club).  The creators involved are not names known in the comic or manga fields, and were not found through the first Rising Stars competition, according to Tokyopop.      

 

The second round of Tokyopop's Rising Stars competition, which selects submissions for anthology publication and prizes, will kick off this month and run until September 1.  The winners will be published late this year or early in 2004.  The first volume of winning stories was recently released -- it reached the top 50 graphic novel bestsellers in bookstores.