FCBD18 Interview: First Second Books' Hope Larson Discusses All Summer Long

Growing up can be hard. Just ask Bina.

Bina is the musically inclined, 12-year-old from First Second Books’ Free Comic Book Day offering. Created by Hope Larson, All Summer Long follows the misadventures of Bina as she explores friendship, music, and where she stands with her best friend, Austin.

All Summer Long is part of a larger anthology titled Comics Friends Forever, which gives readers five different stories to read through. First Second Books’ anthology offering celebrates kid’s comic and girl power!

Read our interview below with creator Hope Larson to learn more about what to expect in All Summer Long, her favorite thing about comics, and what she’s looking forward to on Free Comic Book Day. And click here to see our PREVIEWS Prevue of the title!

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Free Comic Book Day (FCBD): For those who might be new to your comic book, give us a quick rundown of the story! 

All Summer Long is a graphic novel, so all readers will be new to this book! It's a middle grade slice of life story set in sunny California, and it follows the misadventures of 12-year-old Bina and her best friend, Austin. Bina's becoming more involved with music, while Austin's getting serious about sports. When summer ends and they head back to school, will they still be friends?

FCBD: What genre is your title?

Slice of life or contemporary.

FCBD: What has been your favorite part of the book or main character(s) to tackle?

It's been a lot of fun learning more about music for the book. I even started playing guitar!

FCBD: What other titles would you compare to yours? “If a comic reader likes _______ , they should pick up my title?”

Raina Telgemeier's Drama is a good comparison.

FCBD: Looking to the future, is there anything you can tease about what's upcoming for the title and its characters?

I can tease that there will be two more books about Bina coming as soon as I can get them written, drawn, and into readers' hands! The overall arc of the series is about Bina and Austin's evolving friendship and Bina's evolution as a musician.

FCBD: What initially got you interested in comics? (or What is your favorite thing about working in comics?)

I was interested in comics from the first time I laid hands on one, which was when I was seven or so. I've been reading and making them ever since.

FCBD: Many newcomers will pick up comics for the first time on FCBD—what was the first comic you remember reading?

French My Little Pony comics of the 1980s.

FCBD: Tell us why everyone should read comic books?

Whatever kind of stories you're interested in, there's a comic out there for you!

FCBD: What is your favorite part about Free Comic Book Day? What do you think is the best part of Free Comic Book Day?

I love the folks who might otherwise not be able to afford lots of comics leave with armloads, while seasoned readers can take a chance on a book they might otherwise not have tried. 

 

 

Find a comic shop near you to celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2018!