This June Dreamwave Productions will issue its first two DW Pockets editions collecting the Transformers Energon and Duel Masters comic book series in manga-size (5'x 7.25') full color trade paperbacks, with a suggested retail price of $10.95.  The DW Pockets editions mirror the popular manga format right down to the vertical wraparound one color strip on the spine and dynamic manga-like cover illustrations.  While some manga trades sell for as little as $7.95, the Dreamwave Pockets are printed in full color, making them a relative bargain at $10.95.   The page counts for the DW Pockets -- 112 pages, while shorter than the typical manga release, are still substantial.

The two properties chosen to debut the new format should have considerable appeal to manga fans as well as traditional comic book readers.  Both the Transformers and Duel Masters are tied to popular anime series.  Hasbro has an extensive line of Transformers toys and its WotC division has just launched the potentially huge Duel Masters Collectible Card Game (see 'WotC To Launch Duel Masters CCG in March').