Del Rey Manga will begin publishing both original manga-style graphic novels and manga using animation art for two popular Cartoon Network series, Bakugan and Ben 10, in the coming months. 

First up are full-color manga using animation art.  Bakugan Battle Brawlers:  The Battle Begins will ship in December, with a second Bakugan volume in March 2009.  Ben 10 Alien Force:  Ben 10 Returns will ship in April 2009.

The first original b/w Bakugan manga volume will ship in Summer 2009; and the first original Ben 10 Alien Force volume in Fall 2009. 

The Bakugan Battle Brawlers anime has done well on TV here, the game is doing well at mass, and the first DVD has been released (see “First Bakugan DVD in August”).  Cartoon Network is handling licensing for the property in the States (see “Cartoon Network Gets Bakugan Merchandise Rights”), a first for the company.

Ben 10 has been a highly successful Cartoon Network staple, with a substantial licensing presence (Bandai has toys and games, see “Ben 10 CCG Debuts”).  New episodes of Ben 10 Alien Force will follow Star Wars:  The Clone Wars on Friday nights this fall (see “Clone Wars Debuts October 3rd”).