It's been far too long since I've updated my blog on the TOKYOPOP site. I apologize for that. However, I'm hoping to return shortly with regular updates and all sorts of new, never-before-seen goodies for you fellow manga junkies. And to show you that I do intend to make good on this promise, I offer you this new artistic tidbit for your hungry eyes.

Many of you are familiar with Jim Henson's Return to Labyrinth, the manga sequel to Jim Henson's classic fantasy film (that continues next month with volume 2!). However, did you know that Labyrinth is NOT the only Jim Henson Company project we have in development? Friends and fans alike, feast your eyes on the cover for the first volume of Jim Henson's Legends of the Dark Crystal, a prequel series to the classic fantasy film that first debuted in 1982 (and is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year). Our manga takes place approximately 200 years before the events in the film, when Gelflings were plentiful and so were the gentle Mystics and evil Skeksis. The first volume, which is subtitled The Garthim Wars, tells the story of Lahr, a shepherd, and Neffi, a weaver--two Gelflings who are forced rally up a small village of Gelflings to fight against the onslaught of violent Garthim that have been raiding villages in the area. It's the first volume of a planned three-volume arc that helps set up the events in the film.

Our manga was written by Barbara Randall Kesel, whom comic book fans may know from her extensive work with CrossGen comics. It was drawn by newcomers Heidi Arnhold and Max Kim, and the beautiful cover image that you see below was painted by Jae-Hwan Kim (Warcraft, King of Hell, War Angels). Now, just to make this clear (since people can't seem to wrap their head around it in the case of Return to Labyrinth), Jae-Hwan Kim is just our cover artist. He didn't draw the manga. However, I don't think you'll be the least bit dissapointed with the interior art, as Heidi and Max are two amazing artists in their own rights. Trust me, you're going to be seeing a lot more of these guys. In fact, Heidi was just tapped to draw an installment in the third volume of our Star Trek manga, boldly going where only a handful of manga artist have gone before.

Jim Henson's Legends of the Dark Crystal: The Garthim Wars debuts in November of this year, so look for it in bookstores and comic shops just in time for the holidays. Also, expect to see a lot more on this title over the next few months, both in this blog and elsewhere on the net. And if you're really hungry to get a glimpse of it, check out the preview in the first volume of Undertown, our new urban fantasy title.

I'll be back soon with more updates and fun behind-the-scenes stuff. Stay tuned!