Public Square Books, a New York-based publisher, has acquired the exclusive rights to distribute Norma Editorial's Spanish language graphic novels in the United States.  Public Square will introduce the first batch of titles to retailers in the U.S. in June. Ten to fifteen new selections will follow each month in what is a very ambitious publishing program. Titles include Spanish language versions of Mike Mignola's Hellboy, Frank Miller's Sin City, and Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis as well as Slaine and Judge Dredd from England, European graphic novels by Manara, Marini, and Hugo Pratt, and a line of 'How To Draw Manga' titles from Japan. Retailers will be able to order the books from Ingram, Baker & Taylor and Diamond Comic Distributors, or directly from Public Square Press.

The Hispanic population of the U.S. has grown by 61% over the past decade and currently comprises 13% of the population.  Hispanic purchasing power in the States totaled $675 billion in 2003 and is expected to double by 2010.  Ingram reported that sales of Spanish language titles have increased by 40% over the past year and Barnes & Noble has recorded double digit sales increases for the past four years in Spanish language books.  Not every pop culture store is positioned to take advantage of this growing audience, but many retailers may want to experiment with Spanish language editions to see if they can get a piece of a very fast-growing market.