Mattel has partnered with TOKYOPOP to create a new publishing initiative. Some of the toy makers’ hottest properties will be getting a manga-styled graphic novel series for Mattel’s Hot Wheels and Barbie. The first titles are set to debut in print in early 2026. This series will feature fresh artwork and original stories. Simon & Schuster will sell and distribute graphic novels to Canada and the United States bookstores.
Hot Wheels and Barbie are the world’s most adored toy and entertainment brands. We are excited to partner with Mattel to develop and publish new original manga-style graphic novels,” says Marc Visnick, TOKYOPOP COO and Publisher. “TOKYOPOP’s catalog is renowned for bestselling titles featuring notable characters for readers of all ages. Adding Barbie and Hot Wheels to our roster brings an exciting dimension, and we look forward to sharing these legendary brands and bold new adventures to our global audience of readers.”
The top-selling toy globally, Hot Wheels introduces over 130 new car designs annually and has 25,000 variations today. Barbie, the most diverse doll brand in the world, has inspired girls for over six decades and continues to symbolize empowerment, imagination, and limitless possibilities.
This is not the first time Barbie has received the literary treatment. Dell Comics published the Barbie and Ken comic book series based on young girls and their dolls, designed to play ideas for readers, told from the perspective of a Barbie fan club member meeting Barbie in real life. It only ran for five issues in 1962. In 1991, Marvel published two ongoing series on Barbie for 52 issues. ToykoPop has some Barbie experience, too; Tokyopop has released several Barbie “Cine-Manga” storybook comics made from screenshots from TV cartoons.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
