Abrams’ Amulet Books will launch a new series of graphic novels set in the world of the Poptropica online roleplaying game in March.
Poptropica Book 1: Mystery of the Map is written by Poptropica game designer Jack Chabert (Eerie Elementary) based on a draft idea by Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). Illustration is done by Kory Merritt. The 112-page hardcover graphic novel will have MSRP of $9.95.
When Oliver, Mya, and Jorge take a ride in a hot-air balloon, they crash-land on an unknown island filled with extinct animals and a horde of angry Vikings. As they explore, they find they’re on an uncharted group of islands whose existence is hidden from the rest of the world. Will they ever find their way home?
The Poptropica online game was developed in 2007 by Pearson Education's Family Education Network (FEN), aimed at children ages 6 -15. The game is primarily the creation of Jeff Kinney. In the game, players go to different 'islands,’ compete in multiplayer games, and communicate with each other and well-known characters including Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Versions of the online game have been released on Nintendo DS, and iOS mobile devices. The online game boasted over 500 million registered users in 2012. According to a press release in May 2015, when FEN sold the property to Sandbox partners, the site boasts over 3.2 million monthly unique users in 200 countries and territories.