Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment is excited to announce a partnership with Ishimori Production Inc. of Japan to produce CYBORG 009, a modern adaptation of the classic manga series created by the legendary Shotaro Ishinomori, author of other such notable works as Kamen Rider, Goranger, Kikaider, and Skullman. This deluxe hardcover graphic novel will feature the classic characters and origin story from the original series, re-imagined for a new worldwide audience. The new edition will be written by F.J. DeSanto (The Spirit, Immortals: Gods and Heroes) and Bradley Cramp (Gattaca, the forthcoming film Invertigo), and illustrated by fan-favorite artist Marcus To (Red Robin, The Huntress).

The story follows nine normal humans kidnapped from around the world to become unwilling test subjects by The Black Ghost Organization, a secret society that provides weapons of mass destruction to the highest bidder. The nine victims are put through a series of extreme experiments that transform each one into a unique super-powered weapon. With the help of a compassionate project scientist, these living weapons rebel from their captors and set off on a mission to stop Black Ghost from plunging the world into a perpetual state of war.

“On the surface, CYBORG 009 appears to be a science fiction action/adventure story,” says DeSanto. “However, Ishinomori’s creation has endured because it’s a story about the human spirit triumphing over incredible adversity. The sort of emotional trauma these nine people experience could happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. Instead of becoming dark and oppressive, the story evolves into a message of hope and cooperation between people of different countries and races who share the singular goal of bringing peace to the planet. Humanity is the heart and soul of CYBORG 009.”

Created in 1964, CYBORG 009 was Japan’s first and most popular super-team, quickly becoming one of the most influential manga series of all time. The original manga has been published in over 250,000,000 copies of weekly comics and comic books worldwide.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to be charged with the reimagining of one of the classics of Japanese manga,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “CYBORG 009 has spawned generations of fans, several movies and anime series, countless toys and products, and is truly a cultural icon in Japan that has thrived for decades. We are honored to be working with Ishimori Production side by side to introduce this incredible story to a Western audience.”

The original graphic novel will debut both digitally and in print in 2013 as part of an ongoing campaign of CYBORG 009 offerings being produced by Ishimori Productions around the world. A new 3D CGI animated theatrical feature film, 009 RE:CYBORG, produced by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Kill Bill Vol.1), will be released in Japan this October. DeSanto is currently attached to produce a live-action feature film version of the property.

For more information, visit www.archaia.com and www.ishinomori.co.jp

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