‘Barbie’ and ‘Hot Wheels’ Comics Coming from Tokyopop and Mattel

Tokyopop and Mattel are teaming up to release new manga-style graphic novels based on Barbie and Hot Wheels. These stories, aimed at kids aged 8-12, will debut in 2026 and bring fresh artwork and original adventures for fans of both iconic brands.

Ryan Ferguson, Mattel’s Global Head of Publishing, shared his excitement about the collaboration:

Hot Wheels and Barbie have long been symbols of storytelling, creativity and inspiration, engaging audiences across generations. We are thrilled to partner with Tokyopop and expand these iconic franchises through captivating stories, bringing new adventures to fans.

Marc Visnick, COO and Publisher at Tokyopop, added:

Hot Wheels and Barbie are two of the world’s most adored toy and entertainment brands, and we are excited to partner with Mattel to develop and publish new original manga-style graphic novels. Tokyopop’s catalog is renowned for bestselling titles featuring notable characters for readers of all ages. Adding Barbie and Hot Wheels to our roster brings an exciting dimension, and we look forward to sharing these legendary brands and bold new adventures with our global audience of readers.

Barbie has been featured in comics before, including Marvel’s 63-issue series and Tokyopop’s earlier Cine-Manga. These new graphic novels will bring her story to life again, but with a fresh manga-style twist.

Hot Wheels will also have its own series of manga-style graphic novels, creating brand-new adventures for fans. This marks a return to comics for the toy line, which previously had a series from DC Comics in the 1970s.

Both projects are set to bring exciting, creative stories to a new generation of readers, combining the nostalgic appeal of Barbie and Hot Wheels with a fresh and modern approach.

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