Comics

Conor’s Con Pix Galore! (And a ANDY B. retrospective: “A Man and his Beard”)

Posted by Conor McCreery, May 14, 2013 – 11:59 am

The past few weeks have been a pretty busy time for the K.S. boys. You’ve seen Anthony jet off to exotic far-flung locales like… Ottawa and… Calgary…

But while Anthony was enjoying the high-life, poor lil’ ol me has been stuck doing AMAZING SHOWS in Chicago and right here in Toronto — TCAF 2013.

I’ve been quite the shutterbug as I learn to play with this new Galaxy Tablet and I even took a bit of video of the Kill Shakespeare stage show that played at C2E2.

I wanted to share some memories of the events and thank all the amazing fans and friends who came out and supported us in both places. I had SUCH a good time talking with all of you.

We’ve said it before, but I don’t believe that any other book has such diverse and interesting fans as K.S. does!

Now let’s see some photos!

Below are a few from the stageplay that went on at C2E2 and was put on by the amazing Strawdog Theatre. I’ve already posted a few on our Facebook account, but these are a few samples that I took of the show. The rest you can find in this album.

"Hey kid, I can make you a star!" K.S. Director Anderson Lawfer greets me at the door of Strawdog Theatre

The cast in action on the Variant Stage at C2E2

"Lusty Ladies! Falstaff is here!"

The whole cast and crew celebrate a succesful show

Of course C2E2 was more than just theatre — we also had fans and cosplay galore. To get a flavour of the delightful madness here are a few shots to whet your appetite. You can see more of C2E2 in this album.

Hey, I don't judge. Some of my best friends are wookies!

When Anthony goes to cons, kids attack him. Me? I try to turn them on each other. It's a bit less chivalrous, but much less painful.

One of these people is the official jester of Milwaukee (no, I'm not even kidding)

Shakespeare! Smash!

This past weekend was TCAF — a more “refined” comics experience. While cos-play isn’t really a “thing” at TCAF it was a great chance to see old friends and to steal a ukele

This is the shunning you get for having not read Kill Shakespeare

Our man Chris gets involved in the dreaded ukele tug-of-war.

For more TCAF click here.

And finally, for those of you who haven’t seen Andy B. for awhile you may not know that he now owns the 1,965th best beard of ALL-TIME. He just passed this guy and is closing hard on these guys.

Andy graciously agreed to pose for a series of photos so we can commerate a time when life was simpler, and all that mattered was a man, his beard, and how many birds could nest within it.

Hey Andy, Rasputin called... he wants the "Mad Monk" back.

For the entire, surely to be award-winning, collection – click here… if you dare!

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Images from Ottawa

Posted by Anthony Del Col, May 13, 2013 – 12:59 pm

Despite a severe allergy attack and a really bad cough, I was able to take part – and quite enjoy – the Ottawa Comic-Con this past weekend.  It was only the show’s second year but it was a really big one and the organizers – the same ones who put together the Montreal Comic-Con – have done a great job.

I was really fortunate to be placed beside some amazingly talented (and really nice) artists – Yanick Paquette (Swamp Thing, the upcoming Wonder Woman), Pia Guerra (my favourite series of all time, Y The Last Man) and Ian Boothby (Simpsons Comics) – they were great to chat with and share space with.

And thanks to everyone who came to the show and swung by to chat, learn more about KS, pick up some books/ShakesGeare, etc.  It was great meeting/chatting with all of you!

Here are some photos from the weekend.  You can find more on our Facebook page.

A sketch of Juliet and Romeo by Tom Szyc

Julia and Anthony recite the final lines from Midsummer Night's Dream

Dana bought a book but then discovered she had no cash...

... but she returned on Sunday with cash!

Anthony likes to hit people that dress up like Henry V...

... and kids with swords like to attack Anthony.

Another budding art star!

Anthony with Yanick Paquette

Ian, Anthony and Yanick inspect the work of Pia

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Anthony in the (Canadian) Nation’s Capital this weekend!

Posted by Anthony Del Col, May 7, 2013 – 12:16 pm

After finally having a weekend off, I become a weekend warrior again this upcoming one as I attend the Ottawa Comic-Con from Fri, May 10 – 12th.  This is our first time attending the event, run by the amazing organizers of the Montreal Comic-Con, so I’m excited to see what it’s like.

I will be at Table #A600 the entire weekend, which is plum in the middle of some of the top artists today – beside Pia Guerra (co-creator of my favourite series of all-time, Y The Last Man) and superstar artist Yanick Paquette (DC’s Swamp Thing relaunch). You can find a floor plan of the show at this link.

I am also conducting a workshop “HOW TO CREATE AND MARKET YOUR OWN COMICS” on Saturday at 2pm in Meeting Room B.  I have put on this workshop at almost a dozen conventions so if you’re at the show and would like to find out how to get your comic off the ground come by and pick up some tricks of the trade.  The workshop description is:

“Kill Shakespeare co-creator and Shuster Award nominee Anthony Del Col will take you through the process of building the comic from inspirationthrough to the perspiration of marketing your baby. Anthony will demonstrate how a comic is put together from the earliest stages of writing (thebeat sheet) throughthe art process (penciling, inking, colouring) to the final production elements (lettering). He will then discuss the creative entrepreneurship side of the Kill Shakespeare journey. From business plans, to raising money, courting publishers to expanding their idea into other mediums, Anthony will give you the skills needed to make your creative idea into a creative business.”

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Issue #3 is released today!

Posted by Anthony Del Col, April 24, 2013 – 4:27 pm

The day has arrived!  Issue #3 of The Tide of Blood is in comic book shops around the world today!

We’re quite excited about this issue.  The continuation of the saga of Juliet, Romeo, Hamlet, Miranda and Prospero continues in this issue and not only are we happy with the story but Andy Belanger’s artwork is amazing.  He has a great take on the look of Prospero but also the mad wizard’s setting.

The early reviews are quite positive as well.

Keith Silva from Comics Bulletin writes: “As aesthetics go, Kill Shakespeare: Tide of Blood comes as close to perfection — to some sort of golden ratio of comic books — as any art aspires to achieve. ”

Lyzard from AintitCoolNews.com writes: “What Belanger chooses to do with Prospero’s “study” works as both an homage to the source material and a giant leap from anything put to paper, canvas, stage, or film.”

Samantha Roehrig from Comic Bastards writes: “I love how raw the pictures are in this comic. It draws me into the play and I can’t stop thinking I should drink poison or stab myself with a dagger in order to fit in. I can’t wait for the big fight scene.  I love Shakespeare and I am wondering why it took me so long to pick up this comic. So don’t miss out on this newest installment.”

Page 11 - Miranda and Lady Macbeth enter Prospero's study/library.

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We’re in both Calgary and Chicago this weekend!

Posted by Anthony Del Col, April 24, 2013 – 4:15 pm

It’s a busy weekend for all of us as we’re all at comic conventions this weekend!

First off, I will be attending the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo in Western Canada this weekend.  The show runs on Fri (12 – 8), Sat (10 – 7) and Sun (10 – 5) at the BMO Centre.  The convention is one of the fastest growing conventions in the world – if not the fastest.  I attended two years ago (Conor attended last year) and we sold out of everything by the middle of the day Saturday.

I will be at Table P-10 all weekend.  I will also be hosting a panel “How to Pitch Your Own Comic” will be on Saturday, Apr 27 @ 4:30pm in Palomino FG.  Check it out for pointers on how to get a publishing deal, put together a pitch package, etc.  It’s been standing room only at numerous other conventions so this one should be good.

Whilst I’m in Calgary, Andy and Conor will be attending Chicago’s C2E2 convention this weekend.  I attended last year and it’s another fast-growing event.  The two will be positioned at Table 1037 all weekend.

On top of that, Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre will be doing a free preview/review performance of their acclaimed run of KILL SHAKESPEARE: LIVE GRAPHIC NOVEL at the show this weekend.  It will be held on Fri, Apr 26 @ 3:15pm on the Variant Stage.  If you’re attending the show be sure to check it out

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Caption Contest! Win an autographed copy of Issue #3!

Posted by Anthony Del Col, April 22, 2013 – 3:31 pm

To celebrate the release of The Tide of Blood #3 this Wednesday (April 24th), we are running another CAPTION CONTEST this week.  Suggest a caption for this image of Miranda and Lady Macbeth entering the mad wizard Prospero’s library for an opportunity to win an autographed copy of the issue! Winners will be selected randomly.

You can also enter by suggesting a caption on our Facebook page or through our Twitter feed.

Enter a caption here for a chance to win an autographed copy of Issue #3

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Boston Comic-Con Cancelled This Weekend

Posted by Anthony Del Col, April 19, 2013 – 6:54 pm

Just arrived in Watertown (yes, that Watertown) and en route to Boston today we discovered that the Comic-Con this weekend has been cancelled due to the recent events and city-wide lockdown.  I’m disappointed that I won’t be attending the event this weekend but hope to be able to take part when it’s rescheduled at some point this year.

For everyone that is in the Boston area please stay safe and we’ll see you at a future event.

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Cover for Issue #3 (to be released next Wednesday)!

Posted by Anthony Del Col, April 17, 2013 – 10:01 am

We have just received word from IDW Publishing (our publisher, obviously) and Diamond Comics (our distributor) that Issue #3 of The Tide of Blood (titled “Darkness Which the Blind Do See”) is being released next Wednesday (the 24th of April).  It’s a fitting release day as it’s the day after the anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth/death (April 23rd).

Here is the cover for Issue #3, created by our series artist Andy Belanger:

The write-up for Previews magazine for the issue is the following:

“With Hamlet in the clutches of Lady Macbeth, Juliet and Romeo grapple with the island’s powers – and their past – to save him and themselves.  But another, even greater, threat has entered the stage: Prospero, the mad wizard whose dominion over the island promises a deadly end for our heroes.”

Look for it next week at all comic book shops and online!

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Boston Comic-Con is still on (and we will be there)

Posted by Anthony Del Col, April 16, 2013 – 3:35 pm

Like everyone else, I was quite shocked and upset by the bombing yesterday at the Boston Marathon.  As someone who used to take part in many road races the idea of someone attacking at a moment/place like that is completely reprehensible.

The incident also put into question whether this weekend’s Boston Comic-Con will still be taking place.  They just earlier today announced that it will be, and as they are looking to use the event as a shine of light in a dark time I will indeed attend the event (as had previously been planned).

So for those attending the convention, I will be at Table #AA333 the entire weekend.  I will also be doing a workshop (“How to Pitch Your Comic to Publishers”) on Saturday from 3 – 3:45 in Panel Room 110 (a mash-up of sold-out workshops we’ve done in the past).

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Happy Birthday to Andy Belanger!

Posted by Anthony Del Col, March 30, 2013 – 11:14 am

Just a quick note whilst in Anaheim for WonderCon (booth #608!)… Today I take a moment to celebrate the birthday of the heart and soul of Kill Shakespeare… artist Andy Belanger!

Andy interviewed for INNERSpace last month

I wish I was in Montreal right now to celebrate with him (and perhaps recount our amazing April Fool’s Day joke of three years ago…) but I know that he’s having a great time today – probably doing some work, having a beverage or two, having a great time with his fiancee Becky Cloonan, and enjoying life.

Happy birthday, man! Here’s to another great year of accomplishments and achievements!

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