Kodansha , the storied Japanese publisher behind global manga landmarks “ Akira ,” “Attack on Titan” and “Sailor Moon,” is expanding its creative reach with “ The Escape ,” the company’s first U.S.-created manga.

The new title is co-written by Vinnie Hacker and Shakira Pressley, with artwork by manga artist Hiroto Oishi.

“The Escape” launches digitally Oct. 8 on Kodansha’s Comic Days platform in Japan and worldwide on KManga, where it will be available to read for free at release. The story follows Enkei, a prisoner trapped in a brutal underground world where captives fight to the death. Haunted by guilt over the lives he’s taken, Enkei’s refusal to kill again sets off a chain of revelations that could bring him redemption — or destroy him.

For Hacker, “The Escape” represents ano

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