Get ready for a captivating new chapter in visual storytelling! Fantagraphics, renowned for its commitment to exceptional cartooning, is launching Takumigraphics, a dedicated imprint showcasing curated selections of East Asian comics and graphic novels. The inaugural release? “Lovers of the Empire,” a breathtaking love story set against the complex historical backdrop of Japanese-occupied Korea in the 1920s. Prepare to be swept away!
A Love Story Forged in Turmoil
IGN is thrilled to offer an exclusive first look at “Lovers of the Empire Vol. 1,” a stunning hardcover edition that promises to transport you to another time and place. The story, brought to life by the incredibly talented Yudori (known for the Eisner-nominated “Raging Clouds”), follows two teenagers from vastly different social strata whose lives become intertwined. Arisa Jo, the privileged daughter of a wealthy merchant, embodies the bold “Modern” values with her Western dresses and confident demeanor. In stark contrast stands Jun Seomoon, a young man deeply rooted in tradition who hails from the countryside. When Arisa’s father tasks Jun with escorting her to the bustling city, their personalities clash, creating sparks that ignite an unlikely connection. Their journey opens their eyes to new perspectives amidst a rapidly changing world.
More Than Just Romance
“Lovers of the Empire is a cute boy-meets-girl romance, set against a silent backdrop of massacres and battles,” explains Yudori. “That is in a way what it feels like to exist as a Korean: keeping the façade of abundance and harmlessness, while something is always brooding deep inside, just below the point of explosion. Wars do not stop at battlefields and bomb sites, they seep into our everyday existence.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the depth and nuance that lies beneath the surface of this seemingly simple love story.
Fantagraphics’ Vision
Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Associate Publisher, elaborates on the significance of Takumigraphics: “Fantagraphics’ mission has long been to celebrate great cartooning in all of its incarnations, from the form’s early luminaries to contemporary artists from around the globe currently forging the future of visual storytelling. Takumigraphics is an extension of this mission, and an acknowledgement of the key role that Manga, Manhwa, and Manhua, and other east asian comics continue to play in forging that future. As we continue to expand our roster of Asian works, it made perfect sense to bring them under one umbrella, to best showcase the great works being created in Japan, South Korea, China, and elsewhere.”
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Whether you’re a seasoned manga enthusiast or new to the world of East Asian comics, “Lovers of the Empire” is a must-read. You can find it in bookstores now, or order a copy on Amazon. For more captivating reads, delve into the very first Star Wars/Marvel crossover and discover Marvel’s newest symbiote hero, the Amazing Venom.
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Source: IGN Gaming
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