Tag Archives: anthony del col

Review – Kill Shakespeare: The Tide of Blood #1

Posted on by

KS-TOB-Cover-A-Final-Small-259x400For this special review of Kill Shakespeare: The Tide of Blood #1, we’ve got dueling reviews, including our resident “Shakespeare expert” Kalyn.

First up Kalyn’s review

The latest installment of Kill Shakespeare picks up with the intrepid team shortly after Shakespeare has gone off wandering.  Now that King Richard III is gone, Titus (presumably Titus Andronicus) is the encroaching enemy – which does not bode well for our band of warriors and makes the presence (and disappearance) of Tamora in the previous volumes even more interesting.  Titus is renowned for his violent nature so the newly-formed army may be in deep trouble.  He and Tamora share a revenge-filled story so her existence in the realm is sure to cause some problems for many people later in the story.

Juliet has clearly embraced her new role as general and new love, Hamlet, and seems quite happy with the life she has created.  She continues to grow in a leadership role and as a person.  While she does seem blind at times to what others are feeling and thinking, she does appear to be a leader the people trust – especially since The Shadow King is her biggest fan.  Romeo, on the other hand, is not doing well with the discovery that his great love is still alive and with the presence of Hamlet in her new life.  He continues to retain his good qualities of loyalty and courage, but struggles with how to deal with the new roles they all face.  He seems to be content with taking some extreme risks in order to prove his place in the new order.

The story really picks up when Miranda, daughter of Prospero, shows up.  With one of the great magician’s books, she convinces the team to travel to Prospero’s island to free him.  After a rough time at sea, they arrive at the island.  This is where this volume ends, setting up so many questions for future installments.  I’m wondering if there will be a romantic conflict between Romeo and Ferdinand for Miranda; where Caliban is going to show up and how much turmoil he’s going to cause; if Prospero is the good guy he has been made out to be or if he has manipulated Miranda into dragging the team to his island for a more evil plan; and what is going to happen back in the realm with Titus running loose and no leader to stop him.

Again, the Kill Shakespeare team does a wonderful job of using the characters we know from the original plays in a new story without losing their essential nature.  I love the small bits thrown out to Shakespeare fans (“suffer his slings and arrows”, “loyal” Lysander showing up as a minor character) and the way they incorporate these into this new tale.  The growth of familiar characters beyond the original plays happens in a way that feels organic to each of them – not an easy task – and the adventures are exciting and keep me coming back over and over again.  This is a series that has something for a lot of different types of readers and one I would recommend for almost anyone.

Story: 8.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Read

And Brett’s review

Page-4-260x400I’m not the biggest fan of Shakespeare. I’ve mentioned that in every previous review I’ve done of the Kill Shakespeare series. The first volume of the series was excellent in that you could enjoy it without knowing a lot about Shakespeare’s creations. Knowing added to the story, but wasn’t vital. Still, at times I felt my lack of knowledge hurt a bit and forced me to consult the Google to see what I was missing. Very enjoyable, but I felt left out of the fun at times.

This second volume picks up a bit after the first volume. The victorious rebels are now forced to create a new government, while their “god” has gone awol. A threat looms at their fledgling nation’s border in Titus.

Much of the first issue focuses on Romeo. He’s a warrior whose former love is with another and whose war has for the most part come to an end. So, he does what you’d expect, drink. However, a direction comes in the form of a mysterious woman who seeks his help and sets him on an adventure. Romeo wasn’t a major character in the first volume, but he’s front and center here.

What I found interesting is that I didn’t quite feel like I was missing out on the Shakespeare references with this first issue. I’m sure there’s tons I’ve missed, and I hope one day to get a director’s commentary with lots of notes and tidbits on all those things I’ve missed. But, the first issue works as a straightforward story. It’s very enjoyable that way without the winks and Shakespeare references.

The first issue sets up a mystery and an adventure and much like the first it’s a lot of fun.

Story: Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col Art: Andy Belanger

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review – Kill Shakespeare Vol. 1 and Vol. 2

Posted on by

For her first post, new contributor Kalyn covers the first two volumes of Kill Shakespeare. Warning some SPOILERS!

Since I read Volumes 1 and 2 of Kill Shakespeare together, that’s how I’m going to review them.  Using the plots of the original plays, the traits of the characters, and many of Shakespeare’s famous phrases, this comic has put together a very different world populated by some familiar faces and sets them on a strange quest seeking the creator – William Shakespeare.  Some characters stay very much the same as in their play (Iago) but others (especially the younger set of Juliet, Hamlet, and Romeo) change from their original selves into someone much more interesting.

There are a lot of tidbits in the story for fans of Shakespeare and the classic well-known references for people who got their only exposure in high school English class.  Sometimes it’s an inn or town name, sometimes it’s a line, or reference to something that happened in the past but all of them are little gems for those who can spot them.  As someone who hasn’t studied Shakespeare academically, but has seen many of the plays performed and read many more, I appreciated the references sprinkled throughout the story.

There are some questions and loose ends I hope Volume 3 ties up because I really want to know what Tamora has planned, where Will has disappeared to, and what crazy stuff Lady MacBeth has in store next.  The comic is one that both Shakespeare lovers and those who ran away screaming will enjoy.  It stands well on its own but has references to the original works that are not only enjoyable for those who know them but might inspire others to go find out what they mean.  The creators paid great attention to detail and clearly have love and respect for the original plays but have created their own, very enjoyable story.

Story: Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery Art: Andy Belanger Publisher: IDW Publishing

Story: 7.5 Art: 7 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

NYCC 2012 – Kill Shakespeare Returns to IDW

Posted on by

[Kill Shakespeare New Series Cover Image]IDW Publishing has announced the return of the acclaimed comic series Kill Shakespeare to comic shelves! The first issue of the new five-issue limited series, entitled The Tide of Blood, will hit comic shops across North America and Europe in February of 2013.

Series co-creators Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery returned to pen the five issues and original artist Andy Belanger is back as the series artist (and also adds cover artist duties). All three are at this week’s New York Comic Con to officially launch the new arc as well as present a special live stage reading based on the first twelve issues of the series that The New York Times called: “gripping, violent, dark, fun.”

The five-issue series – a continuation from the first two books – will follow Hamlet, Juliet, Othello and Romeo as they face their biggest threat – Prospero, a rogue wizard who plans to destroy all of creation.  Hamlet must embark on a perilous journey to a remote island whose inhabitants have gone mad and want the Dane’s blood – if a love triangle and Cupid’s poisoned bow doesn’t kill Hamlet first.

To date, Kill Shakespeare has been collected into two trades: A Sea of Troubles and The Blast of War.  Both were nominated for numerous awards and lists and Volume 1 is entering a fifth printing.

The series has also been brought to the stage with the creation of the Kill Shakespeare: Live Stage Reading theatrical show.  It has been produced in various cities across North America and will be presented at the New York Comic-Con on Saturday October 13th at 11:00 AM on the Variant Stage. Special Kill Shakespeare and IDW prize packs will be given away to lucky attendees at this free show!

NYCC 2012 – Kill Shakespeare: Live Stage Reading

Posted on by

Fresh off playing to packed and enthusiastic audiences in Tucson and Montreal last month, an abridged version of Kill Shakespeare: The Live Stage Reading– based on the successful IDW Publishing comic book series – makes its American comic convention debut this upcoming Saturday at the New York Comic Con.

The show will run on Saturday, October 13th at 11am on the Variant Stage and will be free for any New York Comic Con attendee. Kill Shakespeare: The Live Stage Reading is a 90-minute interactive stage show that highlights projected images of comic art from the Kill Shakespeare graphic novels and involves actors reading the dialogue as if in a radio drama. This format allows audience members to watch performers improvise music and foley live on-stage. The show also encourages audience participation. The play was originally commissioned by Toronto’s Young Centre for the Performing Arts and performed by the acclaimed Soulpepper Theatre Company in fall, 2011.  Soulpepper Theatre’s Toby Malone has served as dramaturge for the piece.

Adapted by comic creators Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery, Kill Shakespeare: The Live Stage Reading provides viewers with a unique mixture of comic art, radio-play-style drama, music, and audience interaction.

The stage show will be produced in association with New York’s acclaimed Gideon Productions. Artistic director Jordana Williams will direct a special one-hour version of the show and feature some of New York’s top up-and-coming theatrical talent.

New York will mark the fourth stop on Kill Shakespeare’s North American tour having played to full houses in Toronto, Tuscon and Montreal before finishing 2012 in Rochester and capped by an eight show performance in Halifax. In 2013 shows are already booked for Chicago, Toronto and Dubai, with stops at other conventions in the works.

Canadian Comic Creators Cross Channel to Kill Shakespeare in Bard’s Country

Posted on by

Canadian Comic Creators Cross Channel to Kill Shakespeare in Bard’s Country

­­London, UK – The creators of IDW Publishing’s Kill Shakespeare comic book series look to court controversy this month by bringing their take on Shakespeare and his characters to the birth country of the Bard himself this month on a two-week signing and convention tour of England.

“Colonists” Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col will be appearing at the Bristol Comic Expo as well as the Kapow! Comic Convention this month, along with a number of store signings in London, Manchester, Leeds and Stratford-upon-Avon. Series artist Andy Belanger will be joining the duo for the Kapow! Convention and a London signing.  The trip to the U.K. is the final leg of their spring 2012 convention tour, which has seen them make appearances all over North America as well as at the Middle East Film & Comic-Con in Dubai last month.

To prepare for the tour IDW Publishing is proud to announce that they are releasing a fourth printing of Kill Shakespeare Volume 1: A Sea of Troubles.  Originally released in April, 2010, this is the first half of the series that pits the Bard’s greatest heroes against his most menacing villains in a quest to track down and kill – or save – a wizard by the name of William Shakespeare.

IDW is also proud to announce that Del Col and McCreery have received their second straight Joe Shuster Award nomination for Best Writing in a comic series.  The duo is pitted against such talents as Jeff Lemire and Kathryn Immonen in the category.

“We’re quite chuffed to see what people in England think of our take on the Bard,” says McCreery.  “We expect some nay-sayers but we’re eager to show everyone that this project is just as vital a reflection of the Bard’s work as anything coming out of the Globe Theatre or Stratford-on-Avon.”

Kill Shakespeare has been in hot water before after Shakespearean scholar Kimberly Cox denounced the series as “bullshit” and said that “these guys really are helping to kill Shakespeare.”  However, the adventure series, which incorporates Hamlet, Juliet, Othello, Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Puck and others, has received high praise from media such as the New York Times, NPR, BBC, CBC and Fangoria.  The series has also spawned a 90-minute stage show that debuted in association with Toronto’s acclaimed Soulpepper Theatre company in November of 2011 and is scheduled to tour to various locations across North America this fall.

The current signing schedule includes:

Sat, May 12 – Sun, May 13 Bristol Comic Expo
Wed, May 16 Travelling Man (Manchester)
Thu, May 17 Travelling Man (Leeds)
Fri, May 18 Forbidden Planet London Megastore
Sat, May 19 – Sun, May 20 Kapow! Comic Convention

Published by IDW Publishing, more information about the series can be found at www.killshakespeare.com.  The graphic novel is available at all major comic and book stores and digitally through iTunes or ComiXology.

Canadian Creators of Kill Shakespeare Accepted into Prestigious Sundance Story Lab

Posted on by

Official Press Release

Canadian Creators of KILL SHAKESPEARE Accepted into Prestigious Sundance Story Lab

[Kill Shakespeare Volume 2 Cover]San Diego, CA (October 12, 2011)- The Canadian-based creative team of the acclaimed KILL SHAKESPEARE comic book series will descend upon the 2011 New York Comic-Con this weekend to not only release an exclusive sneak peek of their second trade but also announce their invitation to take part in the first-ever Sundance Institute New Frontier Story Lab.

Co-creators Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery are one of six creative teams to be selected from around the globe to take part in the Sundance initiative, taking place in Park City, UT from Oct 23 – 28th.  During their time at the Lab, Del Col and McCreery will work with award-winning creative advisors to bring KILL SHAKESPEARE – an adventure story that places the Bard’s greatest heroes and villains into the same world and story – to film and other formats through individualized story sessions, conversations about key artistic, design and technology issues, and case study presentations.

“We are really excited about becoming ‘Sundance kids’,” says Del Col.  “If Shakespeare was alive today he would be creating not only stage plays but films, video games, comic books and digital media.  We relish the opportunity to work with Sundance to further mash-up our take on the Bard with access to top screenwriters, video game designers and transmedia gurus.”

The creative team will also be unveiling Kill Shakespeare Volume 2: The Blast of War, which collects issues 7 – 12 of the Harvey-nominated series, at the show.  To be released in early November, the creators – along with series artist Andy Belanger – will be selling and signing a limited number of copies out of their booth (#2844), as well as copies of Volume 1 and their new line of ShakesGeare merchandise.

They are also happy to announce that the acclaimed Kill Shakespeare Volume 1: A Sea of Troubles is going into a third-printing this week due to growing demand for the series.

About the series:

Kill Shakespeare is an adventure story that pits all of Shakespeare’s greatest heroes (including Hamlet, Juliet, Falstaff, Othello, Puck) against the Bard’s most menacing villains (including Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Iago) in a quest to track down and kill – or save – a reclusive wizard by the name of William Shakespeare. Described by the New York Times as “gripping, violent and dark fun,” the series was nominated for a 2011 Harvey Award for Best New Comic Series and received profiles from NPR, BBC, The Washington Post, CBC and Publisher’s Weekly.  It also created controversy in 2010 when Shakespearean scholar (and girlfriend of comics legend Frank Miller) Kimberly Cox railed against the title, while others – such as Des McAnuff (Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Jersey Boys) – are fans of it.

More information about the series can be found at www.killshakespeare.com.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

Baltimore Comic Con 2011 Recap

Posted on by
Bookmark and Share

It’s not even 24 hours since the end of 2011’s Baltimore Comic Con which took place near the harbor of Baltimore, Maryland.  The convention was packed, seeming to draw record crowds for the weekend.  Saturday was wall to wall people making it at times difficult to make it through the crowds.  It seems legends like Stan Lee did their job, sparking people to come downtown and check out the convention.  Even with the massive crowds, I constantly heard from those exhibiting that sales were down slightly from last year.  No matter, you couldn’t help be impressed by the crowds.

But, what I like about Baltimore is the focus on comics.  It’s one of the few big name shows that keeps it’s focus on it’s roots.  You won’t find movie or television celebrities here, but what you will find is writers, illustrators and publishers interacting directly with the fans.  This is a perfect show to come to where you can shake hands with legends, get autographs and photos and interact directly with creators.  Fans are able to ask directly what they’re working on and you can often find the greats hanging out during and after the show, completely approachable.  I might be a blogger, but I’m a fan first, and it’s such a fun time to talk comics with those who are involved creating them.  It’s often eye opening and you learn a ton.

But, the show isn’t all dealers, publishers and artist alley.  There’s also a decent selection of panels where you can catch some industry titans talking about history or what’s coming up.  There were a few bumps this year, but after sitting through Saturday’s spotlight with Shannon Wheeler, I’ve made a promise myself to attend more panels at future shows.  It’s entertaining and you get stories you’ll hear nowhere else.  I also had the pleasure of moderating the BOOM! 6th Anniversary Panel with BOOM! Studios founder and CEO Ross Ritchie.  1) being on panels are fun; 2) I really need to get better at it; 3) I learned a hell of a lot.

You also get to see so much you won’t necessarily find at your local shop.  Small publishers, self-publishers line places like Artist Alley.  You also get to find new ways people are telling stories.  This show Heretic City stood out to me.  It’s not the traditional comic book, instead, it tells a graphic story through t-shirts.  A great idea and very unique.  It shows graphic story telling can happen outside of the traditional panel format.

But, in the end, for some one like me it’s all about catching up with old friends and making new ones.  Here’s the rundown.

Old friends:

  • Len Wallace and Jessica – always great hanging out with you two.  I think we’ll have to make Saturday dinner a tradition.  Look forward to seeing you both at NYCC.
  • The Top Cow crew – Atom! and Filip – always great catching up, and hope to hang at at NYCC.  Top Cow has a special place as the first company we really covered and I look forward to continue to support them.  Great guys, great product, great attitude.
  • Ron Marz – I promise to get you the script – folks, one of the nicest people you’ll meet at a con, great with the fans.
  • Drew Gaska – a true talent and awesome guy.  Love his writing and ideas and so happy the person behind them is so smart, fun and friendly.
  • The Kill Shakespeare guys – Anthony and Conor, so talented and I can’t wait to see what they have coming up.  You want to watch a great pitch and interaction with fans, go see them at cons. You can’t help but dig Shakespeare after.
  • The BOOM! Studios crew – Ross and Chip, always fun. Let me know when I can moderate another panel… The product is fun and quality, they’ve got a great attitude, it’s no wonder I’m looking forward to shining the spotlight on them more and more.
  • ComiXology – Taking five minutes talking to this team and you can’t help be excited about the future of digital comics.  John and the team are brilliant and will win you over on the digital medium.

New friends:

  • Shannon Wheeler – the creator of Too Much Coffee Man is a legend, and hilarious. If he’s on a panel, go see it.
  • Denis Kitchen – All I want to do now is sit this industry legend down and just film him talking. Amazing stories.
  • CBLDF – I finally connected with the CBLDF team and look forward to helping support them more and more in the future.
  • Chandra Free – the writer and artist of The God Machine is so talented and being able to watch her sketch is amazing.  It just solidifies my opinion of her talent.

Twitter/Digital friends now in person!:

  • PLB Comics – a small publishing company, their book The Fall is a great read.  They’re also very friendly in person and I’m feeling really good after meeting them to support their efforts.
  • Joshua Hale Fialkov – the writer of Echoes and Tumor is a talent and his upcoming book The Last of the Greats is just as solid.  We were early supporters of his, and so happy to continue to do so.
  • I loved Rahsan Ekedal art on Echoes and was so happy to meet him at the show as well.  You better believe I’ll be picking up some of his original work at NYCC.

There’s also a bunch of indie books I picked up and you better believe I’ll be letting you know my thoughts in future reviews.  Next up is SPX in two weeks!

Kill Shakespeare Celebrates Its Final Issue at Baltimore Comic-Con with Debut of ‘ShakesGeare’

Posted on by

Official Press Releasebcc_logo_2011_700px

Kill Shakespeare Celebrates Its Final Issue at Baltimore Comic-Con with Debut of ‘ShakesGeare’

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – August 17, 2011 – The creators of IDW Publishing’s critically-acclaimed Kill Shakespearecomic book series will appear at the 2011 Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend to celebrate the release of the final issue of their initial story arc and also debut their “ShakesGeare” merchandise line.

Kill ShakespeareThe 12th issue of the series, nominated for the Harvey Award for Best New Series, is being released today (August 17th). Co-creators Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery are excited to debut the series finale in Baltimore and eager to take part in the Harvey Awards festivities. “It’s our first time in Baltimore and win or lose, we can’t wait to meet Baltimore’s comic fans and Shakespeare buffs,” said McCreery. The entire Kill Shakespeare run will be on sale at the duo’s booth (#2201).

The Canadian creators have also selected the Baltimore show, due to its great reputation and strong fanbase, to debut the “ShakesGeare” line, which will initially feature t-shirts and pins. Designs have been created by Kill Shakespeare artist Andy Belanger and top Canadian t-shirt designer Matt Medley. The creators worked with Kill the 8 Merch Co., one of North America’s top apparel companies.

“Our readers have been asking us for over a year for t-shirts and other swag. We thought that Baltimore would be a great place to debut the line,” Anthony Del Col states. “We will be rolling out additional goodies over the next few months that will appeal to not only readers of the series but fans of the Bard, comics, and great design in general.”

The first eleven issues of the series, described by the New York Times as “gripping, violent and dark fun”, have been released to great acclaim and attention. The first trade paperback, released last November, is now in its second printing and the creators have recently secured financing to develop the project into a feature film.
About the series:

Kill Shakespeareis an adventure story that pits all of Shakespeare’s greatest heroes (including Hamlet, Juliet, Falstaff, Othello, and Puck) against the Bard’s most menacing villains (including Richard III, Lady Macbeth, and Iago) in a quest to track down and kill – or save – a reclusive wizard by the name of William Shakespeare. Called by Aint it Cool News as “[a] great read”, the series has been profiled by The New York Times, NPR, BBC, Wired.com, The Globe and Mail and The Washington Post. It also created controversy last year when Shakespearean scholar (and girlfriend of comics legend Frank Miller) Kimberly Cox railed against the title on popular U.K. comic blog BleedingCool.com, while others – such as Des McAnuff (Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Jersey Boys) are fans of it.

Both Del Col and McCreery will be available for interviews during the Baltimore Comic-Con.

More information about the series can be found at www.killshakespeare.com.

Full Guest List

A complete list of confirmed guests for this year’s Baltimore Comic-Con can be found here.

Third Annual Costume Contest at the Baltimore Comic-Con – UPDATED
The 3rd Annual Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm. With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don’t want to miss! For more information and a complete list of catagories, visit our website’s Costume Contest page.

Harvey Tickets Still Available

Time is running out, but there is still an opportunity to attend the party! Join our MC Scott Kurtz, nominees, presenters, Stan Lee, and other fans at the Harvey Awards Banquet! Tickets available until Wednesday at baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards.
Stan Lee VIP Packages Sold Out!  Autographs and Photos Still Available!

Please Note: Although the Stan Lee VIP Packages are officially sold out, individual autographs and photographs are still available and can be purchased by visiting http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/.

Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2012!

That’s right! Mark your calendars now for next year’s Baltimore Comic-Con, which will take place the weekend of September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and we’ll see YOU in Baltimore!

Twitter Hashtag
Will you be tweeting this year from the show floor? Make sure you use the #BCC2011 hashtag! See what the latest news and excitement at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con is about by tracking #BCC2011!

illseeyouinbaltimore_2011_200x200

Attending the Baltimore Comic-Con? Show your support online!

Simply change your social network (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.) avatar pictures to the “See You in Baltimore!” image and let the world know you’re attending the show!

In coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website, Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace pages.

This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2011. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 21st.

About The Baltimore Comic-Con

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 12th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2011. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry’s oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 6 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

Kill Shakespeare’s first ever public performance to highlight Bard’s birthday (and death day) celebrations in Toronto

Posted on by

Official Press Release

Kill Shakespeare’s first ever public performance to highlight Bard’s birthday (and death day) celebrations in Toronto.

­­

Toronto, Canada: On April 23rd the Kill Shakespeare team plans a HUGE birthday surprise for history’s greatest writer – the performance of a Shakespearean adventure that the Bard never actually wrote.

The creators of the popular comic which “mashes up” all of the Bard’s greatest heroes and most menacing villains in the same world and story are teaming up with one of Canada’s most innovative theatres to provide a unique afternoon of entertainment on the anniversary of both Shakespeare’s birth and his death.

Soulpepper Theatre and Kill Shakespeare Entertainment invite you to first “Watch Shakespeare and then Kill Shakespeare” this Saturday a 1:30 PM at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts (55 Mill St., Building 49).

 “We’re very excited to get to show our fans what Kill Shakespeare looks like as a performed piece” says series co-creator Anthony Del Col, “after all the Bard is meant to be seen and not just read – we think this takes the comic’s story into an entirely appropriate new medium.”

Click here for a link to the Soulpepper press-release and find out how you can get a special discounted ticket to A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Marilyn and Charles Baillie Theatre just by being a follower of Kill Shakespeare. Then, if you stay after the show you can watch the Soulpepper troupe do a live reading of Kill Shakespeare #1 in the Kevin and Roger Garland Cabaret.

Or go to http://www.youngcentre.ca/Tickets/reserve.aspx?perf=4723 and use Promocode “Kill” to book your seats.

About the series:

Kill Shakespeare is an adventure story that pits all of Shakespeare’s greatest heroes (including Hamlet, Juliet, Falstaff, Othello, Puck) against the Bard’s most menacing villains (including Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Iago) in a quest to track down and kill – or save – a reclusive wizard by the name of William Shakespeare. ComicBookResources calls it “a tour de force of the storytelling marriage of words and art.” Kill Shakespeare has been profiled by NPR, BBC Worldwide Radio, Wired.com, The Globe and Mail and Publisher’s Weekly.  It’s also been debated by Shakespearean scholars online and in the pages of Maclean’s. Written by Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col, the series art is provided by Andy Belanger (D.C.’s Bottle of Awesome), with colours by Ian Herring, and covers by internationally renowned illustrator Kagan Mcleod.

More information about the series can be found at www.killshakespeare.com.

Beware the Ides of March!

Posted on by

Official Press Release


One of Shakespeare’s characters must ‘beware the Ides of March’ as Canadians plot ‘murder most foul’.

­­

Toronto, Canada: The creators of Kill Shakespeare will announce on March 15th that one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters will share Julius Caesar’s fate and, “shuffle off this mortal coil” in the comic series’ next issue.

The critically-acclaimed comic published by IDW, which places some of the Bard’s greatest characters together in the same story, is releasing its 9th issue this week and its 10th – featuring the death of one of the bard’s greatest creations – will be published April 20 (to commemorate the anniversary of Shakespeare’s own death and birth).

“With the murder of Julius Caesar famously taking place on the Ides of March we thought it only fitting that we too conspire to kill a legend. We think Shakespeare would approve. After all, he may be the greatest literary mass-murderer in history, but even he would be shocked with what we have in store for his characters,” says co-creator Conor McCreery.

Who will die in Issue #10? Fans are urged to go to the Kill Shakespeare website and Facebook page to vote on which of the main characters (Hamlet, Juliet, Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Iago, Othello or Falstaff) they believe is fated to find the “undiscovered country.”

But it will not be all grim business in March for devotees of the Bard. Kill Shakespeare will also introduce a brand new talent to the comic world on March 15. The company has launched a Cover Contest that will see one talented artist get a chance to make their professional debut in comics by creating a cover for the series.

“Since we’re new to the world of comics we wanted to give another ’unknown’ a chance to make their name” says co-creator Anthony Del Col. “We think this contest is going to uncover a major new talent for the industry.”

Artists without a professional credit in the comic world can enter at one of 11 of the top comic shops across North America. The winner’s design will be published as a retailer incentive cover for Issue #11 to be released in May, 2011. To find out more about how to enter go to killshakespeare.com/behindthecurtain.

About the series:

Kill Shakespeare is an adventure story that pits all of Shakespeare’s greatest heroes (including Hamlet, Juliet, Falstaff, Othello, Puck) against the Bard’s most menacing villains (including Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Iago) in a quest to track down and kill – or save – a reclusive wizard by the name of William Shakespeare.

ComicBookResources calls it “a tour de force of the storytelling marriage of words and art.” Kill Shakespeare has been profiled by NPR, BBC Worldwide Radio, Wired.com, The Globe and Mail and Publisher’s Weekly. It’s also been debated by Shakespearean scholars online and in the pages of Maclean’s. Written by Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col, the series art is provided by Andy Belanger (D.C.’s Bottle of Awesome), with colours by Ian Herring, and covers by internationally renowned illustrator Kagan Mcleod.

More information about the series can be found at www.killshakespeare.com.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »