In the last few months I’ve seen a few articles pop up about First Second. A recent example is the announcement that Scott McCloud, of Understanding Comics, Zot! and Google Chrome comic fame is joining First Second.
Prior to that, I found out that Paul Pope’s next book, Battling Boy, will be published by First Second.
Leaving me to ask that eternal question: Whuhwho?
First Second is “an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, which owns some of America’s most prestigious publishers, known for great integrity and literary quality”. First SEcond lists an impressive roster of creators and is managed by cartoonist Mark Siegel.
As Siegel writes, “First Second is committed to quality, aiming for the highest literary, artistic and production standards. The works of true authors and artists, as opposed to the old style of mass-produced disposable comics, these books are intended to be works of lasting value.” It’s when I read this mission statement that I got most excited about this publisher.
However, sadly, aside from an interesting State of The Union with Mark Siegel on Newsarama, there’s very little mention of the publisher on the Internets.
The short version? From everything I’ve found, First Second is awesome.