Toonscape Launches Epublishing Business for Graphic Rich Ebooks

Posted on November 28, 2000

Toonscape, a distributor of electronic entertainment content, has announced the launch of its new ebook publishing initiative and a distribution agreement with online bookseller, Barnes & Noble.com. All Toonscape ebook titles now will be available on bn.com.

Toonscape's publishing system converts traditional books that are rich in imagery into encrypted formatted files that are viewable on PC's and portable electronic reading devices. Comic books were the first books published using this conversion system. Other books that are similar in nature are graphic novels and children's books, which will be published by Toonscape later this year.

``Toonscape offers a completely new way to enjoy and appreciate comic books, children's books and graphic novels,'' said Toonscape CEO Sheldon Owen. ``New fans will be thrilled by the graphics and storylines while comic collectors will be able to read the ebook version without breaking the seal of their printed versions. When it comes to collecting we have just reinvented the process.''

Toonscape's independent artists are creating new works specifically for the ebook market. ``The ebook format is fun for the artist,'' said artist Doug Miers, creator for Conspiracy Comics. ``The hassles and costs of printing and distributing are eliminated. And with Toonscape partnering with the big bookstore resellers, it lets me focus on the artwork and not the marketing.''