Random House Children's Books has acquired 5 Worlds, a three-book graphic novel series, created by publisher and graphic novel author Mark Siegel, and a team of young comics artists and writers. The deal includes world rights (excluding France) and was negotiated by Michelle H. Nagler, associate publishing director of RHCB.
The first book in the series, 5 Worlds Book 1: The Sand Warrior, will be published in May 2017, followed by the next two books in the series in 2018 and 2019. Chelsea Eberly will edit the books.
An acclaimed comics artists and children’s book illustrator, Siegel is also founder and editorial director of First Second, Macmillan’s graphic novel imprint. Most notably Siegel is the author Sailor Twain, or the Mermaid in the Hudson, a graphic novel set in the 19th-century Hudson River steamboat industry.
To produce the series, Siegel is teaming with his brother, Alexis Siegel, to write the story of 5 Worlds, and organized a group of illustrators working collaboratively to produce the fantasy adventure. Siegel has also recruited Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun—younger comics artists who are all working in collaboration with Siegel. 5 Worlds tells the story of a girl and two unlikely companions who must work to stave off the destruction of their five worlds.
“Mark Siegel’s talent and expertise in the graphic novel genre are unprecedented, so it isn’t surprising that he and his extraordinary creative team are breaking new ground with 5 Worlds,” said Nagler in a statement.
“Like so many other children, I grew up gazing at the stars and dreaming of making friends in far-flung parts of our universe,” says Siegel. “Here I am years later working with four fellow dreamers—Alexis, Matt, Xanthe, and Boya—on a five-part story.”
