Yukito Kishiro’s post-apocalyptic classic manga Gunnm returns to English audiences with a new translation by Kodansha Comics and Comixology Originals. Known as Battle Angel Alita to English audiences, it was first published as a serial in Shueisha’s Business Jump magazine in the 1990s. This re-release is a digital exclusive through ComiXology Original and is free today for ComiXology Unlimited subscribers.
Battle Angel Alita tells the story of Alita, a female cyborg. Parts of her were found in a scrapyard and she was eventually assembled into a mercenary hunter-warrior with no memory and then as a player in the brutal sport of Motorball. Memories of life on Mars begin to return to her during combat.
From the press release:
The digital exclusive release of Battle Angel Alita volumes 1-3 is available today for free with a ComiXology Unlimited membership, or for $10.99 per volume on comiXology or Kindle. Each volume is available in comiXology’s Guided View, allowing fans to cinematically read from panel-to-panel at their own pace. The entire series will be released as part of the comiXology Originals program this year, with Volumes 4-6 debuting in August and the concluding volumes 6-9 appearing in October.
The re-release precedes the live-action film adaptation titled Alita: Battle Angel is scheduled for release on July 20, 2018. The film is produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau, directed by Robert Rodriguez and stars Rosa Salazar as Alita.