Ink Pop and Inklore, two graphic novel imprints under Penguin Random House, have forged an expanded partnership with WEBTOON Entertainment to release 14 of its popular webcomic series in print over the next five years. This strategic collaboration, unveiled at Anime Expo 2025, aims to significantly broaden the accessibility of top Webtoon titles for readers who prefer physical books, bridging the gap between digital-first content and traditional print.
A Diverse Slate for Varied Audiences
The partnership will see a diverse selection of manga, manhwa, manhua, and digital-first comics brought to bookstores across the U.S. The 14 titles will be distributed across both imprints, catering to different age groups and reader interests.
Inklore’s Adult and Global Offerings
Inklore, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, focuses on adult comics and has already achieved success with the print edition of Rachel Smythe’s Eisner Award-winning Webtoon series Lore Olympus. This existing title is not included in the newly announced 14.
Under the new agreement, Inklore will publish several highly anticipated Webtoon Originals, with initial releases slated for 2026 and 2027:
- Eleceed by Jeho Son and Zhena: Slated for print release in fall 2026, this series has been serialized in over 10 languages and is a consistent top performer on NAVER WEBTOON’s battle-action charts, surpassing 1.42 billion global views. An anime adaptation of Eleceed is also set to premiere in 2026.
- I Love Yoo by Quimchee: This series is scheduled for a 2027 print release.
- Midnight Poppy Land by Lilydusk: Also set for a 2027 print debut.
Ink Pop’s Focus on Younger Readers
Ink Pop, launched in November 2024 as a new line of global comics for kids and teens from Random House Children’s Books, will handle titles aimed at younger audiences, including middle grade and young adult readers.
The initial titles announced for Ink Pop’s print lineup include:
- School Bus Graveyard by Red: Expected in summer 2026.
- Brass & Sass by antlerella: To be released in fall 2026.
- Swimming Lessons for a Mermaid by Yongchan: Scheduled for 2027.
Ink Pop’s inaugural titles, I Wanna Be Your Girl by Umi Takase (Summer 2025) and My Life as an Internet Novel by Han Ryeo Yu and A Hyeon (Fall 2025), were part of its initial launch program and precede this specific 14-title deal but align with its mission to bring popular global webtoons to print for kids and teens.
Expanding Reach and Bridging Formats
This extended partnership underscores Webtoon’s commitment to reaching a wider audience and diversifying how its content is consumed. By collaborating with established publishers like Random House, Webtoon is making its widely popular digital stories more accessible than ever before, catering to the increasing demand for physical editions of webcomics and graphic novels. Additional titles under the five-year plan will be announced by Inklore and Ink Pop at a later date.
