Tricks and treats: Newsarama chats with Tokyopop editor Mark Paniccia about I Luv Halloween, a definitely-not-manga trade paperback created and illustrated by Benjamin Roman and written by Keith Giffen. The book, which Paniccia describes as "Charlie Brown on absinthe," signals a bit of an expansion for the manga publisher:
 
"I Luv Halloween is basically an early glimpse into the diversity you’ll see in Tokyopop’s publishing plan for 2005 and beyond. When I show this to people they’re like, ‘This is a Tokyopop book?’ And I’m like, ‘Why not?’ It’s not what anyone expects, but I think this will show people that they’ll never know what to expect from this company.
 
"I Luv Halloween represents an absolute commitment to put cool stuff into readers’ hands. And there’s so much more coming. This project shows how powerful the manga movement really is. I get pitches all the time from people who have something in their heads that they need to get out. They’re not restricted by an established character’s canon or continuity. Manga allows the creator — no matter how new or established — to do something straight from their hearts."