Tag Archives: Webcomics

Tapas releases Details of its Closure

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In late September, news broke that Kakao Webtoon and Tapas were shutting down or possibly transitioning to Kakao Page. Details weren’t released at that time, leaving a lot of questions for readers as well as the creators who use the platform.

Now, in two posts, Tapas has released details for both readers that use the platform and the creators who use it.

Tapas will end its service on March 31, 2027. Users will no longer be able to acquire ink starting October 1, 2026 and any remaining must be used by March 31, 2027.

The FAQ doesn’t have all of the answers, but there is a lot featuring key dates, account access, and information for creators.

There’s no information for easily transitioning from the platform, the platform and its comics will just cease to exist it seems.

The shutdown is another example that highlights the lack of ownership with some digital entertainment and consumers are at the mercy of the corporation and platform.

Kakao Webtoon and Tapas Shutting Down or Being Merged into Kakao Page?

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There’s news swirling that Tapas, the U.S. based webtoon platform will soon be shutting down… or is it being consolidated into a new platform? As reported by Maeil Business, Kakao Entertainment is consolidating its webtoon and web novel platforms under Kakao Page. That would mean that Kakao Webtoon and Tapas would be shut down in their current form, and it’s unclear as to what will be moved over to Kakao Page.

Currently Kakao Entertainment runs Kakao Page, Kakao Webtoon, and Tapas, covering webtoons and web novels. Those platforms would instead be merged into Kakao Page. Kakao Page was launched in 2013 while Kakao Webtoon was launched in 2003 by Daum which was acquired by Kakao in 2014. Kakao acquired Tapas and Radish Media in 2021.

The news says the new platform will “enhance the content, user data, artificial intelligence technology and operational capabilities accumulated by each platform.” It would also centralize 16,000 original stories.

The reaction online from creators is negative with the common theme being they haven’t been informed of the change. The original article said they’d be informed “shortly.” Kakao Entertainment stated it will inform users of specific integration timelines and methods on the 29th.

It’s unclear if the content on Tapas will be moved over to the new platform or completely shutdown and Kakao Entertainment and Tapas haven’t made an official announcement. We’ve asked for more details.

The Kakao Labor Union has criticized the company stating that “explanations regarding the Tapas closure process, financial losses, and measures for employee relocation, voluntary retirement, and user refunds, as well as content and data protection, were insufficiently communicated to employees.”

We’ll have more information when Kakao makes an official statement and releases more detail.

Disney Publishing Unveils Disney Cursed Love, an All-New Romantasy Series, Debuting Exclusively on WEBTOON in 2027

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At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026, Disney Publishing announced Disney Cursed Love, an all-new romantasy initiative inspired by some of Disney’s most iconic love stories. Disney Cursed Love will engage readers through seductive, action-packed romantasy adventure, entangled in dark magic, terrible curses, and epic romance.

The initiative will debut with ‘The Curse of a Forsaken Heart’ from #1 NYT Best-Selling author Emily McIntire and artist Samairu — available first on WEBTOON as a webcomic before expanding into print across multiple formats in 2027. 

In The Curse of a Forsaken Heart, Belle and the Beast (in its human form) get sucked into a magical world through an enchanted stained-glass window. Once trapped, they quickly realize the fate of the realm is tied to the kingdom’s princess, Emberlynne: a woman who didn’t yield to the marriage proposal of an evil sorcerer. As a result of her refusal, the entire kingdom is cursed to live without love and anyone who steps foot inside it is also cursed. Belle and the Beast will have to not only find their way back to their own love, but also help the princess find hers in order to lift the curse from the kingdom and return home.

The Curse of a Forsaken Heart

Fans can also look forward to new titles joining over 20 existing reformatted series on WEBTOON—all of which are available in the dedicated Disney section of the English-language WEBTOON app:

The next wave of series coming to WEBTOON is:

  • Star Wars: Visions The Followers of Ankok (2023) 
  • Star Wars: Visions The Ronin and the Droid (2024)
  • Disney Villains Hades (2023)
  • Disney Villains Maleficent (2023)
  • Disney Villains Ursula (2026)
  • Gravity Falls: Lost Legends (2018)
  • The Ultimates (2024)

Star Trek Expands with Original Stories on WEBTOON

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WEBTOON Entertainment and Paramount Products & Experiences have announced two original webcomic series that will expand the world of Star Trek exclusively on WEBTOON’s English-language platform. Stargazers is available to read now, followed by Recollection later this year. 

Set within the legendary universe fans know and love, Stargazers and Recollection include all-new canon adventures that build on Star Trek series like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. Introducing new characters and locations, these standalone series invite a new generation of fans to explore the next frontier of the franchise’s 60-year legacy in WEBTOON’s vertical-scroll webcomic format. 

Stargazers is a young-adult romance set in the vibrant, ever-evolving world of Deep Space 9, where friendship, identity, and first love unfold against the backdrop of a Galaxy recovering after war. Set in a later timeline inspired by Star Trek: The Next Generation and Voyager, Recollection is a gripping mystery that follows a crew who awaken on a Federation starship without any of their memories.

Stargazers

Written by: Jarrett Melendez (Chef’s Kiss, Young Men in Love)
Art by: Kisai Entertainment
Episode Count: 40 episodes (Series launching with 3 free episodes and 5 Fast Pass episodes)
Launch Date: May 17, 2026

A new series set aboard Deep Space 9, Stargazer introduces an entirely new cast navigating early adulthood in a vibrant corner of the Galaxy. 

Leon is an optimistic young man fresh out of school, spending his days with his close-knit group of friends, including Churi, a brilliant Bajoran inventor, and his loyal dog Alfie. While Leon embraces the unknown and resists choosing a defined path, his childhood friend Syrrik is determined to follow a strict trajectory into Starfleet Academy, driven by the expectations of his formidable father.

After a falling out pushes them apart, Leon and Syrrik find themselves drawn back together in unexpected ways, navigating a complicated and evolving romance. Alongside their friends, they become entangled in a station-wide animal smuggling conspiracy, all while preparing for a community talent show that brings their worlds together. As outside pressures mount, including interference from Syrrik’s father, they must decide what kind of future they want.

Star Trek: Stargazers

Recollection

Written by: Sam Maggs (New York Times bestselling author; Critical Role, Star Wars, Marvel, Star Trek)
Art by: Kisai Entertainment
Episode Count: 40 episodes
Launch Date: Summer 2026

A young woman awakens with no memory of who she is or how she got there, only to discover six other passengers share the same fate. With no clear answers and little trust between them, the group turns to the ship’s enigmatic holopilot, JAID, who appears to be withholding critical information.

Their search for the truth leads them to a remote space outpost, where the protagonist encounters a Vulcan who seems to recognize her—and provides a device that unlocks fragments of her memories, but only in fleeting moments. As tensions rise and alliances form under pressure, the group uncovers a shocking reality: most of them are among the Federation’s most wanted, bound for a reeducation facility. Hidden among them are a bounty hunter and a covert Federation operative, complicating trust even further.

As identities are revealed and loyalties tested, the crew must decide who they are—and who they’re willing to become. 

Star Trek: Recollection

Exclusive: Get a look at Art and Commentary for Orson James, Roman Calais, and Jor Ros’ Bad Influence, a Webtoon Original

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HiHi Studios — the manga and anime-led studio co-founded by streaming icon Valkyrae and Range Media’s Kai Gayoso — has announced a partnership with start-up Otherly Productions, a next-generation studio reimagining how original franchises are created, launched, and scaled for today’s audiences. The first of their collaborations is Bad Influence, a high-energy, emotionally-raw sci-fi thriller set in a world of candy-colored lies, illustrated by the Barcelona-based artist Jor Ros and co-written by Orson James and Roman Calais. The first three episodes of Bad Influence are available as a Webtoon Original, with subsequent episodes dropping every Thursday. Readers have the option to unlock up to three additional episodes using Webtoon’s Fast Pass feature.

In Bad Influence, the city of Weisshorn is a surveillance city, where life is a never-ending parade–literally. Mascots smile from every screen, propaganda loops in cheery jingles, and the people are kept docile by distraction. At the center of it all is Oswald, a charismatic dictator with a showman’s flair and a deep need to control the story everyone lives inside. 

The series follows the adventures of Nel — a hot-headed and haunted young woman, who isn’t buying the dream sold to the masses. Nel joins a rebel gang to take the system down. But the deeper she digs, the weirder it gets. She unearths glitches, ghosts, and truths that no one wants uncovered. Reality’s falling apart. And Nel might be next.

Check out the exclusive commentary and art below and check out Bad Influence now!

Here we’ve got our main character Nel coming face to face with some of Oswald’s mascots. They were inspired by 1940s cartoons, an amalgamation of early Disney and Hanna Barbera. The challenge was making them feel real and intimidating without crossing into full-on horror. Visually, we leaned into their cartoon roots, but when you cut them they bleed. They also know what they are, and that self-awareness makes them even weirder. Think Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but with way more menace.

WEBTOON and IDW Publishing team for digital webcomics

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WEBTOON Entertainment Inc is partnering with IDW Publishing to bring some of the publisher’s most popular franchises to WEBTOON. The partnership will make WEBTOON’s English-language platform the exclusive digital home of newly reformatted webcomic versions of Godzilla: Unnatural Disasters, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees,and They Called Us Enemy. The first batch of titles from WEBTOON’s IDW slate will launch on April 25, with additional titles to be announced at a later date. 

The first titles in WEBTOON’s slate of digital comic adaptations with IDW Publishing include:

  • Godzilla: Unnatural Disaster  –​The three-part saga featuring Godzilla’s iconic rogues gallery, epic kaiju battles, and a thrilling adventure spanning different time periods – including a trip to the underworld.
  • Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees  –​A dark and twisted tale about Samantha, a small-town bear who lives a double life. By day, she’s the helpful hardware store owner, and by night, she’s a serial killer.
  • They Called Us Enemy  –​The graphic memoir follows actor George Takei as he revisits his haunting childhood in American concentration camps during World War II in a gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love.

Tapas Entertainment Announces the Winners of the “Tapas Action Fantasy Tourney” Writing Contest

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The Useless S-Class Hunter

Tapas Entertainment has announced the winners of its highly anticipated “Tapas Action Fantasy Tourney,” a global writing competition designed to showcase exceptional talent in the Action Fantasy genre. This contest, which drew hundreds of submissions from around the world, celebrates the creativity and storytelling prowess of both aspiring and established authors. Through a combination of Reader’s Choice Voting and careful evaluation by a panel of industry professionals, these winners have been awarded exclusive publishing contracts and marketing opportunities to bring their captivating stories to life on a global stage.

The first-place winner, The Useless S-Class Hunter by AKG, captivated judges and readers alike with its dynamic characters and imaginative world-building. Second place went to The Infernal Scribe by PCK, followed by Piyumi of Palaedia by lotus fire in third place. Additional top honors were awarded to Umbris: Covenant of Corruption by BijouParadise in fourth place and The Necromancer’s Knight by caffeinatsun in fifth place. Honorable mentions included Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by GiveMeThatBread, Waba Hama: The Plague by nezkovsou, The Villain’s Sidekick by Yourpersonalprince, Irelina and the Blood Cursed Sword by Kim Diok, and Of Lowlifes, Lutes & Liars by Skiddigy, highlighting a diverse range of voices and narratives within the action fantasy genre.

Winners of the Tapas Action Fantasy Tourney have been awarded exclusive three-year publishing contracts with Tapas Entertainment, complete with minimum guarantees of up to $15,000, a 50/50 revenue share, and custom cover art created by professional designers. Additionally, winners will receive comprehensive editorial and production support, extensive marketing campaigns, and in-app promotions to maximize their exposure to Tapas’ vast audience. These stories will also be considered for other creative opportunities, further cementing Tapas’ commitment to nurturing extraordinary talent.

The winning stories will debut with premium relaunches in the coming months, paired with extensive publicity campaigns and in-app marketing to ensure maximum visibility. Readers can look forward to diving into these thrilling worlds of action and fantasy, each brought to life by Tapas’ signature editorial and creative expertise.

Vault announces the finale to Verse and return of webcomic serialization

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Vault and creator Sam Beck have announced the long awaited finale of Verse, the beloved YA fantasy graphic novel series, with Verse Book Three: The Song, that will hit store shelves in August 2024. In addition, Verse has made its long awaited return to webcomic serialization.   

Verse is the story of Fife, who lives in a world where magic is feared–only the evil monsters known as Vell are known to use it. But when Fife discovers a young girl with mysterious powers, everything he ever thought he knew is turned on its head. Forging a friendship that will change the course of their society, Fife and Neitya take their first steps on an epic adventure through an unforgettable world. 

In Verse Book 3, we return to our heroes as the monstrous Vel step up their attacks, the last encampments of people find themselves defenseless as their only connection to magic falters. Their sole hope lies in Neitya, the young girl with horns and a mystical gift from the past. Torn between wanting to be free of the burden of destiny and wanting to protect her friends, Neitya is faced with a final, terrible choice: does she destroy magic—both good and bad—once and for all? And what if saving everyone means saying goodbye?

Verse Book One: The Broken Half, and Verse Book Two: The Second Gate are available now in bookstores and online. Verse Book Three: The Song, will be available summer 2024.

Tinyview Launches Fundraising Campaign to Support Independent Artists and Creators

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Tinyview

Tinyview, the independent, creator-driven website featuring bite-sized comics – has launched a fundraising campaign to raise $25,000 in monthly subscription fees that will allow the site to reach sustainability and offer more comics.

Tinyview brings the “funny pages” directly to your device, offering a diverse array of strips with differing characters and styles. The site offers a freemium model, where users can read comic strips for free or, for the price of a cup of coffee each month, subscribe to directly support its roster of artists and gain access to bonus panels. The site is committed to paying independent comics artists for their work while helping them build their audiences. As the creator economy evolves, Tinyview Founder and CEO Raj Lalwani is intent on making Tinyview a leader in creator compensation.  

Tinyview is a unique platform for discovering new comics and artwork, working with an impressive roster of decorated comics creators. Its offerings are varied and surprising; whether you’re a kid or a grown-up, a science fanatic or a political junkie, Tinyview is a refreshing and stimulating, reading experience.

Users can upgrade their subscription and help Tinyview keep paying artists. Tinyview’s fundraising campaign will run until February 14, 2023.

House of Slay goes Global in Season 2 of the Webcomic

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House of Slay, the fashion collective formed by prominent fashion world figures Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim, Laura Kim, Tina Leung, and Ezra Williams, has kicked off a new season of their hit superhero webcomic on the Tapas and WEBTOON platforms. The series, created in partnership with XRM Media and EEP Universe, follows superpowered versions of the fashion icons as they combat the fear of “other” and build a community of love, hope, and solidarity.

Season 1 — complete and available online now — chronicled the novice heroes’ chance encounter with a magical artifact, their newfound powers rooted in ancient legend, and their first encounter with a power-hungry villain fueled by the world’s hate and fear. Season 2’s five short stories widen the scope with new heroes, new antagonists, and new shades of intolerance and bigotry for House of Slay to challenge. It kicks off with “Slay in LA” by writer Amy Chu and artist Fabian Lelay, in which a trip to Los Angeles reveals there’s much more magic in the world than what they experienced last season.

Four more stories on this globe-spanning, mythos-expanding adventure were created by writers Barbara Perez Marquez, Cherish Chen, Henry Barajas, and Deron Bennett, and artists Dominic Bustamante, Ashley Liu, Louie Chin, and Lynne Yoshii, with key art and character designs by Kevin Wada. 

House of Slay #2

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