Graphic novels have done well since the pandemic, but the adult side has been soft lately. Why expand now?

When First Second started, there wasn’t the kind of middle grade graphic novel there is now. We contributed to shaping that landscape. The early readers of First Second are young professionals now, starting families. They grew up with comics as part of their reading diet. There are a lot of successful middle grade creators who are itching to get to that adult audience. I want to make sure we’re building a structure that can support that. I know it sounds somewhat insane from a business perspective, but what I’ve experienced is that it’s actually good business to become the trendsetters. Some of the breakthrough hits we had were books I thought for sure we would lose money on.

What’s in the water at your corporate parent that makes this risk feasible?

Macmillan is privately owned, which makes its culture unique among the Big Five. We wouldn’t have been able to break through if we were under the quarterly pressure to make short term profits. You don’t just drum up a 250-page graphic novel for next season. But if you have patience, the numbers get there. Broadly speaking, there are two approaches to launching an imprint or publishing program. One is to look at the marketplace and build on what works already. That’s looking backward. The other approach is a little scary if you’re trying to minimize risk. But it stems from a belief in art, and in the creative spirit of people. If you’re into that, then you’re going to take crazy chances. You’ve got to, when they’re too good to pass up.

return to main feature.