First Second Books plans to publish Paul Pope's full color, 4-volume Martian epic Total THB in 2009.   Total THB, which will run over 1,200 pages and will be published in a deluxe, oversize B&W edition as well as in regular color edition, will include the final chapter in the epic coming-of-age saga of teenager HR Watson and her extraordinary protector THB, a water-activated, inflatable bodyguard.  Pope, who was the first American artist to be recruited by Kodansha for a major project in Japan, is a protean creator, who describes THB as 'my Dune,' and as 'The American Akira.'

In addition to Total THB, First Second is also publishing Pope's Battling Boy, which was created specifically for younger readers and which First Second will simultaneously release in two volumes in 2008 (see 'Interview With First Second's Mark Siegel, Part II').