First Second Books have announced, via
EW, that they will be launching a new imprint, World Citizen Comics, the aim of which is to educate readers in fighting against corruption in the world, whether that be in the political sphere or through the media coverage of events, by providing a better understanding of constitutions and the rule of law. Mark Siegel, the creative and editorial director of First Second Books, described how comics were chosen to be the form of the new imprint because “comics are an active medium” which have the “power to influence actions in the world,” as well as being successful in reaching young people, the imprint’s target audience.
There are currently seven graphic novels in development:
Interior Artwork by George O'Connor
The first is “Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy,” written by Dan Newman, with artwork by
George O’Connor (the “Olympians” series). The graphic novel is set to act as a guide for readers to highlight the election campaign financial laws and the influence that the wealthy have upon democracy, as well as informing readers what they can do to change the system. Dan Newman is the founder of
Maplight.org, a non-profit, non-partisan group that tracks donations and voters behaviours to understand money influences the elected officials. Siegel described the book as a product of his want for a “book on dark money and how it has warped politics beyond recognition,” but has ensured that the book is “filled with hope and actionable ways to fix the problems we are confronted with today.” He described how O’Connor’s artwork the graphic novel “to a whole other level.” “Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy” will be released next March.
Interior Artwork by Ally Shwed
The second graphic novel is “
The Fault Lines In The Constitution,” written by Cynthia and Sanford Levinson with artwork by
Ally Shwed (“Blocked: Stories from the World of Online Dating”). The graphic novel will be an adaptation of Cynthia and Sanford Levinson’s 2017 non-fiction book which explored the origins of the U.S Constitution. Siegel described the original book as a “needed source of sanity when looking at where we are today.” He described how Shwed has been successfully adapting the book for the new graphic novel format by “staging and dramatizing both the constant tussles of the Founding Fathers and our present-day history-in-the-making,” with Siegel ultimately hoping that the graphic novel will “will raise a million young constitutional experts.” “The Fault Lines In The Constitution” will be released in May 2020.
The following graphic novels do not currently have release schedules:
Interior Artwork by Tim Foley
“What Unites Us” will be written by Dan Rather and
Elliot Kirschner, with
Tim Foley providing the artwork for the book. This will be an adaptation of Rather’s 2017 book of the same name, which ruminated on his experiences surrounding patriotism, service and the traditions that are shared by Americans. Siegel describes how he “saw an opportunity to bring [the book] alive in a different medium, to great effect” and stated the Foley’s artwork does that, taking the reader back through Rather’s memories. Siegel highlighted the chapter on Nationalism vs. Patriotism, stating that it “deserves to be amplified in every way possible.”
“Citizen Journalist” will be written by Seth Abramson, a college professor and former criminal defense attorney. Recently, Abramson has grown a following as an independent journalist and, with the graphic novel, he aims to teach teachers and inspiring journalists of all ages how to write ethically on their world, in an age where the barrier to publishing has been removed. Siegel described Abramson as “a vital contributor to the national conversation.” Scott McCloud (“The Sculptor”) will be serving as a consultant on the book.
Melissa Hart will be writing “The Media Adventurer’s Handbook: Decoding Persuasion in Everyday News, Ads, Videos, and More,” which Siegel describes as “a fun, playful primer for young readers about everyday persuasion,” informing readers on how and why persuasion works.
Interior Artwork by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb
“Breaking (the) News” will be written by
Jennifer L. Pozner, and feature artwork by
Shelli Paroline and
Braden Lamb (“Adventure Time”). Aimed at a slightly older audience, “Breaking (the) News” will explore the influence of media culture across our lives, from how we vote, to what we purchase as well as what we believe. Pozner “delivers an immunity-booster against the subtle and not-subtle bias that pervades the 21st-century news landscape,” Siegel described.
Interior Artwork by Kasia Babis
The final graphic novel in the announced lineup is “Re-Constitution”, by writer
Beka Feathers and artist
Kasia Babis (“Tequila”). This graphic novel will explore how dictatorships and authoritarianism, both at home and abroad, are resisted. For Feathers, her entire career has been involved with this resistance, spending time as an advisor for the U.S. Department of State on Yemen as well as a lawyer for the Public International Law & Policy Group where she advised on restoring the rule of law in war-torn countries such as South Sudan and Burma. Siegel described how Feathers and Babis “offer us a very human story, and an entertaining ride into a truly global perspective, on the U.S. Constitution, and other new models beyond it,” with the graphic novel.
