In this week’s episode of Off Panel, the co-writer of 5 Worlds and founder/editorial director of First Second, Mark Siegel, joins to chat about the story behind First Second and his latest graphic novel. Siegel discusses editor brain vs. creator brain, the early days of First Second, the range of their comics, how being raised in France affected his view on comics, how the publisher first came together, the size of First Second releases, how comics have changed over the past 16 years, 5 Worlds, its origins, incorporating world change into story, working with family, hopes for the future, and more.

You can find Siegel on Twitter.

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Thanks to the sponsor of this week’s podcast: Macroverse. Macroverse is a next generation digital comics platform, and one with an astonishing number of comics, with currently over 50 series from over 100 creators on their app with a five star rating both on Apple and Google’s app stores. Download the app and binge all their titles, and it’s just $4.99 a month to subscribe to Macroverse, with proceeds directly supporting the creators on the platform. Keep an eye on the future of Macroverse too, as 2022 is going to bring an “Epic” upgrade that offers a new level of digital collectability and more, with early adopters able to sign up for more information at their website.

Also, thanks to the other sponsor of this week’s podcast: Bad Idea! Bad Idea is…uhh…doing something, I guess. They’re still sponsoring the show, even though they’re “over.” Heavy emphasis on the quotation marks.

Also, big thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Jonathan Kent-Uritam, Ram V, Devin Fitzsimons, Nick Walker, Patrick Coyle, Isaac Orin, Scott Carpenter, Rentnarb Studios Comics, Klaas Van de Ven, Capes and Tights Podcast, Brian, Submet Industries, Raj Patel, Jack Mulqueen, Kyle, Karl Kerschl, Robert Masella, Elliot Metz, Elsa Charretier, Luc Nakashoji, Dr. Luke, Scott Haselwood, Scott Buon, Michael Tunk, CanadianByProxy, Jonny Cannon, Bradley Roeder, Carl Choi, Megan Marsden, Brandon De Pillis, Patrick Brower, Declan Shalvey, Dan Gearino, Josh WIlliamson, Atom Freeman, Ben Wild, Brian Klein-Q, S.B., Nick Bennett, Daniel Whitfield, Susana Polo, Reed Hinckley-Barnes, Mario Tiambeng, AbductedTheComic.com, Andrew Kurita, Matt Mahoney, Charlie Chu, Stefan Hull, Penscaola Pop Comics, Kim Estlund, Phillip Maira, Christian Shelton, Kenny Porter, Chris Bachalo, Torunn Grønbekk, FuzBubbles, Christopher Ta, Transmitterdown, Walt’s Comics & Books, Carl Mizell, Danny Ollie, Paul Salaets, Akil Wilson, Alex Dimitropolous, Terry Dodson, Liana Kangas, Wesley Gift, Shawn Kirkham, Alister Ross, Julio Anta, Brett A. Schmidt, Jason Goodmanson, Paul Reinwand, Vita Ayala, Tara Ferguson, Dave Slusher, WMQ Comics, Akylle, Kokaachi, Shaun Pinello, Kent Heidelman, Phillip Sevy, Al Ewing, Ryan Alcock, David Kelley, Robert Wilson IV, Nick Poleto, Brenden Fletcher, Gary Moloney, Jonathan Nilsson, Matthew Groom, Jason Nassi, Adam Bogert, Matthew Taylor, Nick Pitarra, Jacob Sareli, Ford Gilmore, David Baroldy, Nick Hall, Bjorn Basen, John Hendrick, Steve Anderson, Ian Maxfield, Cliff Chiang, Colin McMahon, Chris Palmer, Scott McGovern, Nathan Fairbairn, Cat McKenzie, Adam Highfill, Fiona Staples, Mark Abnett, Mike Murphy, Michael Shirley, Tom Barnett, Jim Demonakos, Norbert, Nick Lowe, James Kaplan, and Mission: Comics and Art in San Francisco. You’re all the best.

Have a question for Off Panel? You can reach David by email or Twitter.

Header art is from the cover of 5 Worlds: The Emerald Cate, art by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun. Off Panel’s theme music is an original track by custom music agency Upright T-Rex Music, written and performed specifically for the podcast. A huge thanks to Ross and Cody from Upright T-Rex Music for putting the track together!