What First Second Books does

First Second Books is a graphic novel publishing imprint and division of Macmillan Publishers (part of Holtzbrinck Publishing Group), headquartered at 120 Broadway in New York City and founded in 2005. The company publishes graphic novels across every genre for three primary reader segments: Young Readers (early readers through age 12), Young Adults (ages 13-17), and Adults, with notable series including InvestiGators, Science Comics, The Adventure Zone (adapted from the McElroy family's podcast), and Books of Clash. Its core technology is editorial and production infrastructure for graphic novel publishing, with no proprietary software platform disclosed.

First Second's business model is traditional book publishing: it acquires creator manuscripts, produces printed graphic novels, and distributes them through global retail channels including online retailers (Macmillan and third-party), public and school libraries, comic book shops, and bookstores. Revenue is generated through one-time book sales, with pricing varying by format (hardcover/paperback) and retailer. The imprint does not disclose pricing publicly and operates as a private division with no standalone funding rounds, M&A activity, or public reporting. Its editorial team — led by founder Mark Siegel and long-tenured Editorial Director Calista Brill (since 2008) — comprises credentialed comics professionals managing creator relationships, manuscript acquisition, and book design.

The company's go-to-market relies on an event-driven marketing motion centered on comic book conventions (NYCC, SDCC, Emerald City Comic Con, MoCCA, ALA conferences), supplemented by a multi-channel content strategy including the First Second Reads blog, monthly email newsletter, educational resources for teachers and librarians through Macmillan Kids School & Library, and organic social media presence across Instagram, X, Facebook, Bluesky, and Goodreads. The catalog has accumulated extensive industry recognition including Eisner, Ignatz, Harvey, Caldecott, Printz, and National Book Award accolades, providing brand authority in the graphic novel category.

Name

First Second Books

Legal name

First Second Books

Website

https://firstsecondbooks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Second Books is a New York-based graphic novel publishing imprint and division of Macmillan Publishers. It publishes award-winning graphic novels across every genre for young readers, young adults, and adults, distributing through global retail, library, and comic book channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graphic Novel Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.) (MPAJAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Readers & Chapter Books Publishing (MPAJAFAB), Children’s Nonfiction Educational (Science, History, Nature) (EDAGAIAC), Mass Market & Paperback Publishing (MPAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Graphic novel publishing
• Children's book publishing
• Young adult fiction
• Book distribution services
• Comic book publisher

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Graphic Novel Sales: First Second publishes graphic novels in every genre and for readers of all ages. Their revenue comes from traditional book publishing sales through multiple retail channels including online, libraries, comic book shops, and wherever books are sold.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

First Second Books is a graphic novel publisher that produces and distributes graphic novels across every genre for readers of all ages. The company curates and publishes works from creators worldwide, organized into Young Readers, Young Adult, and Adult collections, and sells them through online retailers, libraries, comic book shops, and bookstores. As a division of Macmillan Publishers, it leverages the parent's global distribution network to bring titles such as InvestiGators, Science Comics, The Adventure Zone, and Books of Clash to market.

Product overview

First Second Books (:01 Books) is a graphic novel publisher and division of Macmillan Publishers headquartered in New York City. The company publishes graphic novels in every genre and for readers of all ages, organized into three main product lines: Young Readers (including InvestiGators, Science Comics, The Cottons, and Donut Squad), Young Adult (including Tripping Over You and various contemporary titles), and Adult. Their portfolio includes established series like The Adventure Zone (from the McElroy family), the Books of Clash series by Gene Luen Yang, and works from prominent creators such as Faith Erin Hicks, Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham, Vera Brosgol, Ben Hatke, and Mike Cavallaro. Graphic novels are distributed through online retailers, libraries, comic book shops, and wherever books are sold.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Young Readers Graphic Novels A line of graphic novels targeted at young readers, including series such as InvestiGators, Science Comics, The Cottons, and Donut Squad. Titles are sold through online retailers, libraries, comic book shops, and bookstores.
• Young Adult Graphic Novels A line of graphic novels for young adult readers, including titles like Tripping Over You, President of the Anime Club, Until We Meet Again, Forgive-Me-Not, and A Better World Is Possible. Available through the same multi-channel retail and library distribution.
• Adult Graphic Novels Graphic novels for adult readers, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, journalism, and visual essays. Part of First Second's broader collection available through online retailers, libraries, and bookstores.
• Science Comics Series An educational graphic novel series covering scientific topics for young readers, including titles such as The Senses by Andy Hirsch and Prehistoric Mammals by Joe Flood.
• InvestiGators Series A middle-grade graphic novel series by John Patrick Green featuring alligator detectives, including the Agents of S.U.I.T. spin-off series.
• The Adventure Zone Graphic Novels Graphic novel adaptations of the McElroy family's Dungeons & Dragons podcast, including titles such as The Suffering Game and Petals to the Metal.
• Books of Clash Series A graphic novel series by Gene Luen Yang featuring Clash of Clans-style gameplay narratives, illustrated by Kendall Goode and Alison Acton.
• Creator Publishing and Submissions A service for graphic novel creators to submit and publish original works in various genres for all age groups, with notable roster including Gene Luen Yang, Faith Erin Hicks, Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham, Vera Brosgol, Ben Hatke, Mike Cavallaro, and others.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Marvel Comics: Dominant comic book publisher (and Disney subsidiary) with growing middle-grade and YA graphic novel lines. Indirect competitor for the same reader attention, library dollars, and creator talent.
• VIZ Media: Major manga and graphic novel publisher with global distribution scale. Competes most directly in the YA and adult graphic novel categories and brings strong international licensing expertise.
• DC Comics: Major comic and graphic novel publisher (Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiary) with a growing DC Kids and DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults line. Competes for the same YA and middle-grade shelf space.
• HarperCollins (HarperAlley): HarperCollins' dedicated graphic novel imprint for kids and middle grade. A new but well-capitalized entrant competing for creators, library sales, and school adoption against First Second.

Direct peers

• BOOM! Studios: Independent graphic novel and comic book publisher with strong middle-grade and YA franchises and an active Hollywood-adaptation pipeline. Directly comparable in format, age range, and creator-driven publishing model.
• Oni Press: Independent publisher known for all-ages, YA, and adult graphic novels (e.g., Scott Pilgrim, Tea Dragon Society). Closely comparable in editorial approach and genre breadth across age categories.
• Top Shelf Productions: IDW-owned graphic novel publisher known for literary and all-ages graphic novels (e.g., Bone, Blankets). Directly comparable in literary-leaning, creator-driven graphic novel publishing.
• Dark Horse Comics: Long-established graphic novel and comic book publisher with a broad catalog spanning kids, YA, and adult titles. Comparable in scope and distribution, though with stronger adult/superhero tilt.
• Scholastic Graphix: Scholastic's dedicated graphic novel imprint for kids and YA, the most direct comparable to First Second's middle-grade and YA catalog (e.g., InvestiGators, Science Comics). Competes for the same library, school, and bookstore shelf space and signs many of the same creators.
• Papercutz: Specialist in all-ages and kids graphic novels, particularly translated European titles. Comparable to First Second's young readers and middle-grade offerings and international creator sourcing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/01firstsecond
• Facebookfacebook.com/FirstSecondBooks
• Instagraminstagram.com/01firstsecond

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Second Books