PRESS RELEASE ARCHIE COMICS

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

325 FAYETTE AVENUE

MAMARONECK, NY 10543

ARCHIE COMICS ENLISTS
AWARD-WINNING HEW TALENT
TO GIVE SABRINA A "MANGA MAKEOVER"!
It's the type of story you don't hear much anymore: an aspiring cartoonist enters a contest, gets her artwork published in a prestigious collection of new talent, and catches the eye of one of the longest running comic book publishers in the business.
For Tania del Rio, it's a Cinderella story come true. Of course, if Tania were to draw it, her Cinderella would have huge, saucer eyes, a hallmark of the Japanese "manga" cartooning style she prefers.
In the classic fairy tale, simple, plain Cinderella made a magical transformation. Now, an already magical Archie Comics character is set for an even more magical transformation: the publishers and editors at Archie (omit Publications have entrusted del Rio with the task of giving Sabrina the Teenage Witch a "manga makeover"!
Sabrina the Teenage Witch is entering her 42nd year in comic books; outside of the funnies she's had a long life on TV, both in cartoon series and a live-action sitcom. for Archie Comics to give one of their flagship characters such an overhaul is a bold and daring move. It's a
major departure for a character that, outside of animation, has primarily been depicted in the Archie Comic house style.
"We felt the time was right to think outside the comic panel, so to speak," said Archie Comics Chairman and (o-Publisher, Michael Silberkleit. "We're thrilled at the opportunity to contribute to this young artist's future and give her a chance to shine in her chosen field."
One glance at del Rio's work is all it takes to see why Archie would want to nurture her talent. But why was Sabrina chosen for this makeover?
"Sabrina is the perfect character to try out new art and writing styles with," explained Richard Goldwater, President and Co-Publisher.
Managing editor Victor Gorelick added, "Sabrina has always been a bit more esoteric than our other characters. In her early years, the artists experimented with different looks for her."
De) Rio couldn't be happier with the assignment. It comes on the heels of the publication of her award winning story, "Lovesketch," in the book, "Rising Stars of Manga, Vol. 2," published by manga giant Tokyopop.
"I want to do comic geared toward entertaining girls," said del Rio, who will not only draw Sabrina's adventures, but write them as well. "Not a bad influence, but not talking down to them, either. Sabrina is a very clever character who has a lot of inner magic in addition
to her obvious, surface powers."
Readers can witness Sabrina's amazing Manga transformation and Tama's rising star in the pages of SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #58, shipping on May 25, scheduled on-sale data lung 14, 

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