IDW Publishing and the Smithsonian Institution have reached an agreement for a global multi-year publishing program that will include graphic novels, picture books for young readers, coloring books for both youth and adult, and other publications built on content from the world’s largest museum, educational and research complex.  The program will build “an unprecedent library of graphic novels,” according to the announcement.

The first graphic novel project announced is Time Trials, a middle-grade graphic novel series tied to the National Museum of American History video series.  IDW will also publish original graphic novels about landmark events and individuals, in the tradition of its hits March and They Called Us Enemy, which IDW publishes under its Top Shelf imprint.

IDW President, Publisher, and CCO Chris Ryall stressed the storytelling potential of the alliance. “The most energizing thing about working with the Smithsonian’s curators, researchers, and zookeepers is that these are not just experts in their fields: they’re storytellers,” he said.  “Together, we’ll use the unique power of comics to entertain, inspire, and educate readers of all ages about the wonders of history, science, technology, culture, and more.”

The first releases from the new program will street in Fall 2020.