Part 4: Hasbro Publishing

Report by Philip N. Zeman, Editor-in-Chief and Daniel Lipkowitz, Assistant Editor
3.19.2003

The next person to speak wasn't from a design team. Josh Izzo is Licensing Manager for Hasbro Publishing, and he had some news to bring regarding past and future publishing products for Transformers and G.I. Joe.

Between Dreamwave Productions (who own the Transformers comic license) and Devil's Due (who hold the rights to publish G.I. Joe comics), over 3.2 million comics were sold in 2003. For six months in a row, a Transformers comic was the #1 comic. Dreamwave plans to produce six unique series in 2003, which means that over 50 new titles (issues) will be seen in the comic store this year.

Over on the G.I. Joe side, Devil's Due has three unique series planned for 2003, yielding over 40 new titles. Last year, G.I. Joe held 6 spots in the top 10, and 7 spots in the top 20.

In non-comic book news, Josh stated that there will be a trilogy of Transformers novels from I-Books, with the first hitting in Summer 2003. April 2003 will see the release of the Genesis book from 88mph Studios, featuring much art of Transformers. In 2004, another Transformers art book will be released for the 20th Anniversary of Transformers, titled The Ultimate Art Collection.

Sticker books are back, as well. In July 2003, we should see Transformers: Armada and Transformers: Generation 1 sticker books. And in the first quarter of 2004, we should be on the look out for "How to Draw" books for both Transformers and G.I. Joe.

These are not the only products in the works. Josh mentioned that there is the potentail for more art books, art note books, journals, stationery books, and other items bearing the Transformers and G.I. Joe brands.

Part 1: Introduction | Part 2: G.I. Joe | Part 3: Transformers | Part 4: Hasbro Publishing | Part 5: Zoids
Part 6: Micro Machines | Part 7: Stikfas | Part 8: Star Wars | Part 9: Hasbro Tour and Conclusion |
Hasbro Collector's Event Index