First Second Books has announced that the long anticipated, often discussed Battling Boy from cartoonist Paul Pope (THB, One-Trick Ripoff, 100%, Heavy Liquid, Batman: Year 100) will be published on October 8th.

 

The first of a projected two-volume series, Battling Boy will arrive as a 208-page trade paperback that will retail for $15.99, as well as a hardcover edition for $24.99.  Both are targeted to ages 10 to 15 years old. 

 

Originally growing out of a film deal to adapt Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay in 2006, Battling Boy has had a long and varied history in Hollywood and the comics industry.  Although Pope had envisioned the project as a graphic novel, Paramount Pictures purchased the rights in 2008 for development with Brad Pitt's Plan B production Company (see "Paramount Preps 'Battling Boy'").  While the film project stalled, First Second hinted at a 2008 release for the graphic novel back in 2007 (see "Interview with First Second's Mark Siegel, Part 2") and later adjusted the date in late 2008 to 2010 for the book.  At the same time, First Second also had plans to release Pope's Total THB in 2009; however, neither title manifested.

 

Now, in 2013, First Second has confirmed the publication of volume one and Pope has plans to release volume two in 2014.

 

--Nathan Wilson