Two publishers have announced acquisitions of manga-style comics from France.

Yen Press will publish Dark Souls: Redemption, an original story set in the world of the video game Dark Souls.  The story, by writer Julian Blondel and artist Shonen, follows a woman who rises from her tomb to go on a mysterious journey, shadowed by a protector from the dangers that lurk around her.  The first volume of the series, which is rated for older teens, will be released in paperback on August 27, 2024, with an MSRP of $15.00.

The video game Dark Souls was developed by the Japanese company FromSoftware, which was acquired by Kadokawa Corporation in 2014; Yen is a joint venture between Kadokawa and Hachette and has published other tie-ins, including an original Dark Souls novel by Michael A. Stackpole and Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, which was one of Yen’s top new series of 2023 (see “Yen’s Best Sellers”).  Steamforged has developed an RPG and other products based on the Dark Souls game (see “Steamforged Reveals New ‘Dark Souls: The Board Game’ Core Set”).

Meanwhile, Dark Horse Comics has announced that it will publish Yojimbot, by writer/artist Sylvain Repos and colorist Noiry, a story set in a post-apocalyptic Japan where robots re-enact the rituals of samurai.  The graphic novel follows one such Yojimbot as it rescues a child and protects him on a danger-filled journey in search of the mysterious being who may be able to offer sanctuary.  A portion of the series, translated by Matt Madden, was published digitally in English by Europe Comics and appears to still be available on Kindle.  The first Dark Horse volume, Yojimbot: Metal Silence, will be published on December 3, 2024 in bookstores and December 4 in comic shops; the 160-page, 7” x 10” paperback will have an MSRP of $19.99.

The popularity of manga and anime in France, as in the U.S., has led to a wave of graphic novels inspired by Japan, including the anime-based Wakfu, published in English by Ablaze (see "Ablaze Licenses 'Wakfu'") and the teen-adventure series Radiant, published by VIZ Media.

Click Gallery below for full-size covers!