On April 16, TOKYOPOP announced they are shutting down their California headquarter officially this upcoming May 31, 2011. A news that breaks the heart of many manga fans who have loyally followed the publisher for years. TOKYOPOP has published several Warcraft and StarCraft manga over the past three years with exceptional tie-in storylines and flow between the manga and the World of Warcraft quests and StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty single-player campaign.

The latest manga World of Warcraft: Shaman by writer Paul Benjamin became a New York Times Best Selling Manga in October 2010.

Wouldn’t it be sad to see all of those AWESOME stories gone with the wind with no more reprinting or paperback? Fret not!

Today, Cryptozoic Entertainment has surprised World of Warcraft and StarCraft II fans with a stunning news. Read what Cryptozoic just emailed Blizzplanet:

    Cryptozoic Entertainment’s motto of “fans first” has once more carried over to its newest project, as it offers fans the opportunity to read World of Warcraft® and Starcraft® manga for the first time ever in digital format! Beginning May 26, 2011, fans will be able to download their favorite manga titles on the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod Touch®. To celebrate the exclusive release of Blizzard manga on the Cryptozoic Comics app, Cryptozoic is offering a free download of the full 160-page manga, Warcraft: Legends Vol. 1, for the first week of its release (through June 2nd)!

    The Cryptozoic Comics app will feature other critically acclaimed narratives from Blizzard’s® extensive catalogue of manga as well, beginning with: Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy Volume 1, Dragon Hunt and World of Warcraft: Death Knight. Other popular Blizzard titles, such as StarCraft: Ghost Academy Volume 1 will also later come available.

    Available as a free download through the Apple App Store, Cryptozoic Comics will upload new content on a monthly basis, with manga priced at $5.99 per 150-page book. Fans will also have the option of downloading previews of their favorite manga and comic book titles free of charge.

    Finally, fans can enjoy Blizzard’s World of Warcraft and StarCraft manga in stunning high-resolution imagery. Download the Cryptozoic Comics app and your free Warcraft: Legends Vol. 1 today! Visit www.cryptozoic.com for more information.