Marvel and Kadokawa Unveil Five New Manga Projects
During the New York Comic Con panel titled “Marvel Comics: House of Ideas,” Marvel Comics detailed the launch of five new manga series created in partnership with Kadokawa. The discussion featured Marvel’s Asia Originals executive editor C.B. Cebulski, Kadokawa chief editor Kenta Matsui, and comics editor Naofumi Mashino. The panel was also covered in a news release that highlighted the strategic shift toward Asian‑focused original content.
The five titles debuted simultaneously on Kadokawa’s digital platform KadoComi on Sunday. Each series centers on a well‑known Marvel hero, re‑imagined by Japanese creators for the manga market:
- Iron Man – Illustrated by Peperon. The opening chapter can be read here.
- Spider‑Man – Art by Ryūsei Yamada. The first part is available here.
- Deadpool – Featuring a comedic spin by the same team behind the Iron Man entry. Read the debut here.
- Spider‑Gwen – A fresh take on the alternate‑universe heroine. The opening chapter is posted here.
- Venom – A darker, symbiotic‑focused narrative. The first installment can be read here.
All five series are now accessible to Japanese readers via the KadoComi website, and Marvel has indicated plans to expand availability to other Asian markets later in the year.
These launches arrive as Marvel’s long‑standing manga partnership with Shueisha draws to a close. On July 1, Shueisha announced that its licensing agreement with Walt Disney Japan would expire on September 30. The publisher began removing the five Marvel titles it had been serializing—Marvel x Shonen Jump+ Super Collaboration, Secret Reverse, Spider‑Man: Octo‑Girl, Spider‑Man: Kizuna, and Deadpool: Samurai—from digital storefronts between September 28 and 30, and has halted further print volume production. Each of those series completed its serialization before the contract’s termination.
Earlier this year, the joint publishing venture between Marvel and Sho‑Pro Books (Shogakukan‑Shueisha Productions) also ended on March 31, marking the final chapter of Marvel’s traditional Japanese manga licensing model.
Amid these contractual shifts, Marvel announced a leadership change on July 16. C.B. Cebulski stepped down as Editor‑in‑Chief to assume the newly created role of editor for “Asia Originals,” overseeing projects such as the Kadokawa collaboration. Veteran editor Stephen Wacker has taken over as the new Editor‑in‑Chief, guiding Marvel’s global publishing strategy.
In parallel with the manga rollout, Marvel and WEBTOON Entertainment are preparing to launch a dedicated “Marvel Comics” app on November 16, promising a unified digital library of classic and contemporary titles. The move underscores Marvel’s broader effort to modernize its distribution channels across both Western and Asian markets.
For readers who want more background on Marvel’s recent partnership moves, see the earlier announcement article and the detailed coverage of the Shueisha contract ending here. The new Kadokawa titles represent Marvel’s next chapter in Japan, blending iconic superhero lore with the visual storytelling style that defines modern manga.
Featured image: © MARVEL
Source: Anime News Network