WILLIAM Van DUYN
"Webmeister & Magic Carpet Rides"
You're on Bill Van Duyn's flying carpet right now! He's somewhere way North in Nova Scotia as we write this, weaving together the next web treats in store for you at this site.
ALEXIS SIEGEL
"Translation Guru"
From the first second I knew First Second had to be highly international. That's meant fostering a talent pool from all around the world, and putting every possible care into our translations. My brother Alexis works at the U.N. as a translator, and many of you have read his work on First Second projects, from DEOGRATIAS to VAMPIRE LOVES. Several reviewers have already praised his passionate and meticulous translations, but the best success here is his invisibility. Many of our foreign projects are finding considerable audiences in the U.S. thanks in part to his work behind the scenes to ensure the reading experience doesn't feel clunky to an English speaking reader, while conveying the voice and spirit of the original.
With Deogratias: A Tale of Rwanda, First Second was presenting a major work about that genocide, but also opening up our line of political/historical Graphic Novels, with many more forthcoming. For many of these projects, Alexis Siegel also contributes an introduction or an afterword, to put the work in context for American readers. You'll see more of these excellent pieces in LAIKA by Nick Abadzis and NOTES FOR A WAR STORY by Gipi, both coming this Fall. To find out about any titles beyond that, you'll have to ask him for a special security clearance badge.
HILARY SYCAMORE
"The Color Farm"
Hilary runs her color farm "Sky Blue Ink" out of Tennessee, but her assistants aren't only from her neighborhood; they live as far as England and New Zealand. She's taught and researched color theory and color therapy, and you'll be seeing lots more of her magic in coming seasons. Her style and palette change with each new artist's line work. With the majority of First Second books, color is as essential as a movie's soundtrack.
GINA GAGLIANO
"Buzz Maker"
As :01's Marketing Associate, Gina works with Lauren to make sure you know about us.
And if there's a comic Gina's never heard of, then it probably doesn't exist.
DANICA NOVGORODOFF
Art & Design Adventures
Danica actually wore that red cape when she won the Isotope Award for her mini-comic A LATE FREEZE. When she isn't working on her own projects, she's busy designing a zillion things for :01, including some of our best covers.
Some of you ask who is behind FIRST SECOND... If you've been wandering around this website, you've met me, and Simon Boughton and Lauren Wohl at the FAQ page... Let's continue then, and introduce some of the teammates...
KAT KOPIT
"Signals Office"
Kat came onboard as an editorial assistant, and has become invaluable, as many of you know who work in any way with First Second -- without her it would be train wrecks daily.
And what a cool name, don't you think.
