Japanese science fiction "manga" comics have made their debut on mobile-phone screens in the North American market at an international comic convention.
The San Diego convention, Comic-Con International, began Thursday and runs through Sunday.
Licensing company Wowmax Media! and U.S. comic distributor uclick mobile made the exclusive mobile licensing agreement which allows the popular Japanese comic book "Guilstein" to be available on mobile phones.
The agreement marks the first time "Guilstein" has been published in any form in the United States, and makes it the first manga introduced as mobile content before appearing in print media.
"Guilstein," created by Naoyuki Sakai and Hisao Tamaki, is available only in GoComics Books, which is the new manga and comic book application of uclick mobile.
"The look and feel of 'Guilstein' is going to come through stunningly in mobile form," said uclick CEO Chris Pizey. "The images convey the spirit of this epic story in a way that will thrill longtime fans and bring new fans into the fold."
"We're thrilled to partner with GoComics, and the release of 'Guilstein' in mobile format before print media is a new type of strategic launch for Japanese comics in North America," said Masaki Kaifu of Wowmax Media! "This introduction to 'Guilstein' will prep audiences for the animated film and print properties later to come."
People flocking to the uclick booth at Comic-Con International liked the idea of reading comic books on cell phones.
"It's cool," said 36-year-old Albert Salvado of San Diego. "Especially when you're out and waiting for somebody, you can read comics with just one flip."