First Second Books is one of the most exciting publishers in comics. Last year saw them release incredible titles like Tillie Walden’s autobiographical graphic novel Spinning and the gorgeous ghostly teen romance Cast No Shadow from Nick Tapalansky and Anissa Espinosa. This January we have the ultimate pleasure of being the first to reveal all of the gorgeous covers for their upcoming fall 2018 releases. We’re super excited to premiere this radical roster that includes the long awaited print collection of Ngozi Ukazu’s Check, Please! alongside the first published edition of Tillie Walden’s gorgeous webcomic On a Sunbeam.
Mark Siegel, First Second’s Creative and Editorial Director, shared his excitement for the year ahead. “2018 is a big year for First Second. We’re growing our list and publishing more great graphic novels than ever before. This crop of superb talents offer us stories about everything under the sun (and some things in outer space, too) to expand your mind and touch your heart,” Siegel told Nerdist. He also shared blurbs explaining just what he loves about each book:
Kitten Construction Company: Meet the House Kittens (09/04/2018)
We’re starting the season off with adorable kittens–and all they want to do is build houses! John Patrick Green follows up his debut solo graphic novel Hippopotamister with another animal story that’s just as full of puns and adorable animals. We’d hire this crew to come renovate the First Second offices any day.
Castle in the Stars: The Moon King (09/04/2018)
With his gorgeous watercolor artwork, Alex Alice has a sequel for the first Castle in the Stars graphic novel, one that takes us along on the next step of this steampunk adventure. Aetherships ahoy!
The Creepy Casefiles of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall (09/11/2018)
Drew Weing’s beloved The Creepy Casefiles of Margo Maloo has a sequel! Join Margo and the intrepid blogger Charles as they come to realize that more and more monsters are being forced out of their homes–and getting more and more mad about it.
Check, Please!: # Hockey (09/18/2018)
Ngozi Ukazu is a phenomenal new comics creator, and I’m thrilled to bring her online sensation Check, Please! into print. This graphic novel collects the first two years of a remarkable tale that combines hockey and baking as it delivers a powerful statement about tolerance and acceptance.
Science Comics: Solar System (09/18/2018)
Dinosaurs, coral reefs, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, plagues, dogs–now the Science Comics series goes to outer space with Solar System. Get ready for a wild adventure through all the planets around our sun from Rosemary Mosco and Jon Chad.
Monk! (09/25/2018)
Youssef Daoudi’s dynamic, masterful line work brings to vibrant life the extraordinary friendship of Thelonious Monk and Pannonica de Koenigswarter. Set in New York in the 1950s, this nonfiction biography tells, shows, sings, and plays out the story of two people separated by social status, race, and culture but forever united by a love of music.
The Divided Earth (09/25/2018)
Faith Erin Hicks concludes The Nameless City trilogy with The Divided Earth. We continue to follow Kai and Rat through the city–now under siege–as they try desperately to save the home they love. Action, adventure, friendship, dizzying rooftop chases—the great Faith Erin Hicks is at the top of her game.
On a Sunbeam (10/02/2018)
After Tillie Walden’s acclaimed debut graphic novel Spinning, her dazzling new book reaches for new heights–from the skating rink to the stars! This epic adventure has it all: 544 pages of boarding school, first love, intergalactic architecture, friendship, family, and artwork for the ages.
Secret Coders: Monsters and Modules (10/02/2018)
Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes’ Mathical Book Prize-winning series that combines comics and computer programming comes to a resounding conclusion in this final book. Gene exquisitely blends his backgrounds in computer science education and storytelling in this highly addictive adventure.
The Zita Trilogy Boxed Set (10/09/2018)
The many, many fans of Ben Hatke’s treasured #1 New York Times bestselling Zita the Spacegirl trilogy now have this attractive boxed set, with an all-new poster.
Cucumber Quest: The Flower Kingdom (10/09/2018)
Every time I look at Gigi’s adorable, candy-colored art, I fall in love with the Cucumber Quest series again. I can’t imagine a better thing for magical bunnies to be doing than to star in these comics! Gigi D.G. is an astonishing artist, a storyteller of unique wit and skill–and these kingdoms are a delight for every sense.
Last Pick (10/09/2018)
Jason Walz’ graphic novel Last Pick combines vivid world-building and fast-paced adventure to tell the story of a world where aliens have abducted the majority of the population–and twins Sam and Wyatt are among the few left to pick up the pieces.
Science Comics: Brains (10/16/2018)
The Science Comics series just gets better and better as it goes! You won’t be able to resist this book from the brains of Tory Woollcott and Alexandra Graudins which tells the story of a girl who has a mad scientist after hers!
Walker Bean and the Knights of the Waxing Moon (10/23/2018)
Aaron Renier’s highly anticipated sequel to The Unsinkable Walker Bean is here! Renier’s exuberant, generous inventiveness is on full display, and Walker Bean is well on his way to ranking with the best of fantasy literature for young readers.
Deogratias: A Tale of Rwanda (11/06/2018)
We’re honored to re-release this vital and affecting story about the genocide in Rwanda in a new hardcover edition with an introduction by Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse. A difficult subject handled with great art and sensitivity by Jean-Philippe Stassen, Deogratias is a needful look into human nature and modern history.
Tiger vs. Nightmare (11/06/2018)
This debut graphic novel for our youngest readers by Emily Tetri is going to charm your socks off. It’s the story of a tiger and her best friend the monster, and what happens when one night when they must fend off a really big nightmare.
Images: First Second Books
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