Ize Press announced on Friday that it will bring two popular webtoons into print, adding fantasy romance Regas and culinary adventure Eat Before You Go to its publishing slate during a Yen Press panel at New York Comic Con 2026 [2]. The move expands the Ize Press manhwa catalog with print books for two long-running Korean digital comics [4]. Convention attendees didn’t receive retail launch dates [1]. Imprint representatives plan to share scheduling announcements at a later time [2].
Ize Press Manhwa Licenses Revealed at NYCC 2026
The announcement arrived during the Yen Press industry panel at New York Comic Con 2026 on Friday, where the publishing group unveiled several new projects to attendees [2]. Ize Press confirmed that it secured print rights for both Korean series, bringing printed volumes to North American comic shops and major book retailers [3]. Staff didn’t name a release month [1]. Licensing teams plan to share distribution schedules and preorder details at a later date [2].
The addition of two popular serialized titles strengthens the Ize Press manhwa lineup as readers show growing appetite for graphic novels that started on digital platforms [4]. Yen Press founded Ize Press as an imprint for Korean comics and web novels, giving passionate webtoon fans bound paper volumes that preserve full-color art, original panel layouts, and translated dialogue for North American comic store shelves [3]. Because webtoon serialization relies on vertical scrolling on phone screens, formatting those chapters into bound book pages takes careful production work [4]. Ize Press confirmed both licenses on Twitter. That announcement gave readers quick assurance that English print volumes are in preparation [3].
Both licenses reflect how Korean webtoons have turned into reliable print bestsellers in western markets over recent publishing seasons. Readers who previously bought digital coins to unlock weekly chapters on mobile apps often want permanent copies for their bookshelves at home. It’s a natural progression for stories with millions of digital page reads [4]. Editors haven’t announced trim sizes, page counts, or cover finishes yet, but those production notes should surface before preorders open [1].
Regas Manhwa Brings Dragon Royalty and Abel to Print
The first of the two licenses is Regas, an ongoing fantasy Boys’ Love (BL) webtoon written by samk and drawn by illustrator Daengmeong. Author samk created the original story. Writer Lee kkeut handles the comic adaptation, translating the original story into serialized episodic installments. The narrative unfolds in a mythical kingdom where members of the royal bloodline inherit the sacred blessings of a dragon, granting extraordinary power to a young crown prince whose supernatural abilities cost him his sanity [2].
Feared by palace servants and shunned by his own mother, the feral boy seems beyond rescue even for the Regas, an elite group trained to handle volatile rulers. Abel refuses to give up. Hope arrives when a patient, sturdy man named Abel takes on the duty of caring for the prince, using steady kindness and guidance to teach the young heir about the world around him as rival court factions maneuver for control [2]. Their shared journey balances royal intrigue, lighthearted comedy, and romantic tension as Abel works to reach the boy’s guarded heart [5].
Ize Press summarized the setup in its announcement, explaining that “in a kingdom where the royal bloodline inherits the blessings of a dragon, an exceptionally powerful crown prince is born—but the trade-off for such power seems to have been his sanity!” [3]. The story isn’t a simple romance [5]. The official synopsis notes that Abel steps up when others give up, trying to break through the prince’s isolation [3]. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy will find plenty of charm in Abel’s bond with the young prince [2].
Eat Before You Go Turns Monster Hunting into Cooking
The second licensed title, Eat Before You Go, shifts the mood to humorous slice-of-life storytelling with a culinary twist. The series originates from a story by author Ko Doo Yeol, with art by the Bichon and adaptation work by writer Kim Haema [2]. Hero Miro Laikas battles for 30 years. After three grueling decades of combat against dangerous monsters, Miro finally defeats the dreaded demon lord and finds a portal back home to Earth [3].
When Miro steps back onto his home planet, he discovers that Earth has also been overrun by strange, dangerous beasts. Yet ordinary human society hasn’t collapsed into ruins; instead, local defense forces seem to have the monster problem reasonably under control. Earth doesn’t need another warrior [3]. Relieved that he doesn’t have to carry the burden of saving civilization all over again, Miro opens a dining spot where he turns exotic monster meat and harvested creature ingredients into gourmet dishes [4].
Ize Press described Miro’s quirky culinary quest on social media, noting that “with an abundance of this new variety of ingredients, he can finally devote his time and energy to his one true passion—cooking the most delicious meals ever with monster parts!” [3]. The premise pokes fun at fantasy tropes [5]. Fans of fantasy cooking stories will appreciate how Miro swaps heroic destiny for kitchen knives, serving unusual cuisine to hungry diners while enjoying a quiet life [4]. It’s a lighthearted take on the returning hero concept [5].
Ize Press Print Editions Build on Digital Audiences
Both webtoons arrive on store bookshelves backed by substantial reading numbers on English digital services. The romance webtoon Regas has drawn more than two million views on multiple digital distribution platforms, including Lezhin Comics, Tappytoon, Manta, and Tapas. Digital readers love both series. Meanwhile, Eat Before You Go has recorded more than eight million views on the WEBTOON app alone, proving that episodic webtoons command massive international audiences before print publication begins. Those numbers show that both titles already have established English reader followings ready to buy paper volumes [4].
Publishing print volumes allows webtoons to reach buyers who prefer collecting books on shelves rather than paying for microtransactions on mobile devices [2]. Printed books don’t vanish from servers. Readers also seek permanent ownership, especially when digital licensing contracts can change or expire in different app stores over time. We have observed similar market moves in recent coverage of Takeshobo digital BL manga releases, where localized graphic titles expand their reader base by tapping into diverse retail channels. For Ize Press, turning digital webtoon views into printed book sales is a proven formula [4].
Digital success often shapes which Ize Press manhwa properties make the leap to bookstore shelves, as publishers prioritize stories with demonstrated reader engagement. Similar licensing patterns are playing out in the graphic novel industry, much like the recent Manga UP catalog expansions that brought additional digital manga to readers worldwide [4]. Print editions attract avid collectors. When digital readers show sustained devotion to an ongoing comic, paper print runs become a much safer financial investment for North American publishing houses [2].
Convention Exclusives and Upcoming Ize Press Schedule
The license announcements formed only part of the imprint’s presence at the New York convention this autumn. At the event floor, Ize Press offered exclusive merchandise for Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint directly to attendees visiting the Yen Press booth. Kinokuniya offered an alternate book cover. Fans stopping by the Kinokuniya booth could purchase an exclusive variant jacket for volume 1 of the novel, giving convention visitors collectible merchandise in addition to publishing news [3].
Fans who wonder who distributes Ize Press should keep in mind that the imprint functions as Yen Press’s banner for Korean titles, sharing retail distribution channels with parent company releases. Yen Press handles master distribution [3]. That publishing connection ensures that future print copies of Regas and Eat Before You Go will find their way into mainstream bookstore chains, comic shops, and online retailers in English-speaking regions. Having parent company distribution behind both titles means readers won’t struggle to find copies upon release [2].
For now, readers can continue following both series online while waiting for publication dates, cover reveals, and retail preorder announcements. Both webtoons continue updating online [1]. The simultaneous licensing of a fantasy BL romance and a monster-cooking comedy reinforces reader interest in upcoming Ize Press manhwa publications [2]. With digital numbers already in the millions, both titles bring proven audiences to bookstore shelves [4]. Ize Press stated that it will update fans with specific release dates at a later time [2].
- ONLINE NEWS Anime News Network. (2026, October 9). Ize Press Announces Print Editions of Regas, Eat Before You Go Webtoons. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Moo, W. (2026, October 9). Ize Press Licenses Regas & Eat Before You Go Manhwa Series at New York Comic Con 2026. Anime Trending. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Zhdanova, M. (2026, October 9). NYCC ’26: IZE Press licenses manhwa EAT BEFORE YOU GO and REGAS. K-Comics Beat. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Yomimono. (2026, October 9). Ize Press Adds Regas And Eat Before You Go To Print Lineup. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Redbeancake. (2026, October 9). NYCC 2026: Ize Press Licenses Eat Before You Go and Regas. Redbeanime. [Article Link]
