Toronto Launch Party Photos
Last Friday (March 1st) the incredible folks from The Comic Book Lounge & Gallery here in Toronto hosted our launch party for Kill Shakespeare: The Tide of Blood. Working with the team from The Dragon (in Guelph) they brought Andy and Becky Cloonan back to Toronto to celebrate, sign books, display their art, and have a fun time.We packed the place and from what we understand it may have been the most people that have been to an event in the space. The only sad part was the fact that Conor couldn't attend as he was in Seattle that weekend for the Emerald City Comic-Con.A HUGE thanks to everyone involved - Kevin Boyd and Joe Kilmartin from The Comic Book Lounge, Jenn and Tyler from The Dragon, Andy and Becky for coming from Montreal, and everyone that came to the event!Here are a number of photos from the event, most taken by Kuntal Variya, a very good friend and talented photographer! We have some additional photos available on our Facebook page.
Sleepless (with excitement) in Seattle.
This past weekend was a hum-dinger for the Kill Shakespeare crew.While Andy, and Anthony did a whirlwind tour of Southern Ontario I was off in the Pacific Northwest getting a chance to enjoy the hospitality of the great folks who run the Emerald City Comic Con.The show was a HUGE success. Yes, we sold all our books, oodles of t-shirts, buttons, and prints, but that wasn’t what made the show work for me. What made EmCity so amazing were the legions of people we met who came by to express their support, to talk comics or Shakespeare or Canada (especially the Canadian sorry dance).It was also a real treat to see so many people come out to my writing and business panels as well as to over one-hundred people who saw the Kill Shakespeare Dramatic Reading performed live at the convention. The actors were great, the crowd even better (they even laughed at all my post-show ‘jokes’) and I can honestly say I haven’t been as proud of Anthony, Andy or my work as I was in that moment.Seattle, I salute thee.And next year I have to come in a day early so I can tour the underground city. I didn't know this but Seattle is basically a double decker city down by the water - how cool is that?Below are some photos from the weekend. To see more surf on over to our Facebook page (Kill Shakespeare).
Attacked at Guelph's The Dragon!
Andy and I, along with the uber-talented and amazing Becky Cloonan, headed to Guelph this past weekend to do a signing at The Dragon, the Eisner Award-winning comics retailer. It was a fun afternoon that involved visits from family members, theft of Eisner Awards, employee Tyler Jirik receiving a raise and then being fired and then hired again, and another attack at the hands of Mason (this is the third or fourth now, I believe...).Here are some pics from the day!
Silver Snail Signing Photos
This past Saturday (the 23rd) Conor and I celebrated the release of The Tide of Blood #1 with a signing at Toronto's Silver Snail Comics. It was our first signing at their new location and it was a fantastically fun time for all of us!Joining us on this adventure was Maya Nord, who illustrated a Silver Snail Exclusive cover for Issue #1. Featuring the old and new stores, as well as employees of the Snail and characters from our series, it was a big hit on Saturday and will continue to be over the year - a definite collector's edition!Here are some pictures from the event:
Sneak Peek: Cast photo for Kill Shakespeare in Dubai
We're on quite a theatrical run here of late, eh?This morning Anthony and I were treated to a lovely surprise when Gautam Goenka, the mastermind behind Kill Shakespeare's Dubai stage debut, sent us a photo of a cast rehearsal.
In the photo from L to R are our Iago (Amod Munga), Othello (Eben Thomas), Hamlet (Ahmed Rabieh), Gautam (the director of the piece) and Juliet (Priyanka Johri). I'm definitely digging the fact that almost half the cast are using tablets to run their lines -- it's a digital world now, baby!Unquestionably the Middle East Film & Comic Con is going to be one of the highlights of the year for Anthony and I. Not only do we get to escape the cold Canadian spring for the warmth of Dubai (MEFCC runs April 5th and 6th), and help grow comic culture in the Middle East, we'll also get to see all the great work Gautam and his dedicated team of actors are doing in person.(Even if I will burn like a son-of-a-gun out there in the desert).Ta,Conor
Release Day Signing at Paradise Comics (Photos)
Back on April 14, 2010 the very first issue of Kill Shakespeare was launched (boy, that seems like such a long time ago...) and on that very day we did a signing at Toronto's Paradise Comics. To see a couple photos from that day you can click here.With the release of our new series The Tide of Blood we were able to repeat our release day signing spot and return to one of our home stores (we seem to have a few, seeing as how we're blessed to have a number of really great stores in Toronto; I was chatting yesterday with one of the top comics journalists and he made sure to point that out). It was great to visit Doug and Pete at Paradise and sell/sign some books.Here are some photos from our signing this past Wednesday (the 20th):
A preview of our Cover for Issue #1 of The Tide of Blood
We are now one month away from the release of our first issue of The Tide of Blood mini-series and we're getting excited to get it into the hands of our fans as well as new readers. We're quite happy with the story - and the numerous twists and turns that it takes throughout. Just as great for us is the artwork for the series. Andy Belanger has gotten even better in the two years since the last series ended - some of his layouts and characters designs are amazing in this series.Over the next couple of weeks we'll be previewing a number of pages of artwork for the series to pique your interest.
Today we start off with the lead cover for the first issue. It's a great piece of art created by British artist Simon Davis. Simon is a fantastic comic and visual artist who we were introduced to through Richard Starkings (who has been a great mentor to us over the last couple of years). His work on this cover is amazing and really sets the tone for the entire run.
Glimpses of Windsor
This past Thursday and Friday I have the pleasure of visiting Windsor, ON to take part in BookFest Windsor. Conor and I attended last year and enjoyed it so much that we were quite happy to be able to return. Unfortunately, Conor was in Halifax for Hal-Con but I was able to visit - and brought along illustrator (and Windsor native) Kagan McLeod.We had a great talk on Thursday afternoon, moderated by Rogues Gallery Comics owner Shawn Cousineau, and then on Friday did a presentation at Walkerville Collegiate, Kagan's alma mater.Thanks to everyone involved - everyone that attended our talks, the organizers of BookFest, Shawn, Kagan (for coming along - and giving me a ride when my Thursday flight was cancelled), his daughter Ruby (who entertained us during the trip), and everyone else in Windsor.Here are some photos from my time there:
Photos from New York Comic-Con
As mentioned in an earlier post, our trip to New York for the Comic-Con there was an amazing time for us. We had some great meetings, finally(!) went to see the memorable Sleep No More, and, of course, had a great Comic-Con. We sold out of all of our books and almost all t-shirts, the Live Stage Reading on the Saturday was a success, and he met up with a lot of old and new friends.Here are some photos from the weekend:
Kill Shakespeare is coming to HalCon and the stage!
Halifax has ALWAYS been one of our, if not our absolute, favourite shows on the schedule.
The combination of excellent organizers, a lively and interested crowd, and the hospitality Atlantic Canada is famous for makes it a winner in our books.This year we're going to be doing even more at HalCon than usual -- we're bringing the Kill Shakespeare stageshow!On Saturday at 3:45 PM Kill Shakespeare will be presented by the amazing Lion's Den Theatre in association with Vile Passeist. The two groups have banded together and have been rehearsing the show for almost a month.
Yes, a MONTH. And it isn't JUST because they'll be putting the show on at HalCon.Nope.No siree.You see THIS time around, Kill Shakespeare is going to step beyond the convention scene for THE FIRST TIME EVER.That's right, Kill Shakespeare is hitting the stage in downtown Halifax.
Kill Shakespeare at Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street, Halifax):
Tickets $20, $15 for students and anyone with their HalCon pass.
October 30th - 8 PM. Opening Night: stay for drinks and snacks with the cast, director and co-writer!October 31st - 8 PM Halloween Madness: Costumed guests pay student rate. Free lootbags! November 1st - 8 PMNovember 2nd - 8 PMNovember 3rd – 8 PMNovember 4th – 2 PM Matinee, 8 PM Closing Night/Trivia: Free K.S. swag for winners!We hope all of our East Coast friends will be at HalCon and can catch the free show. We'd also love it if you tweet and post about the Bus Stop theatre run.Better yet, come out with your HalCon pass and get a $5 discount and bring a friend who missed HalCon to the show.This is our chance to prove that comic culture and Shakespeare mix like chocolate and peanut butter!See you soon!Conor
Photos from Montreal Comic-Con
I'm a little late in posting these but here are some photos from the Montreal Comic-Con (Sept 14-16). It was a great weekend where we sold a lot of books, put on a standing-room only workshop (How to Create and Market Your Indie Comic), had an amazing Live Stage Reading (packed crowd), ate some good food, sang some great songs, and had a blast.Thanks to Keith Morris and Paola Paulino for coming to help out at the booth, Chris Cater for hanging out at the booth, singing and taking photos, La Dolce Vito Balenzano for giving me a place to stay whilst in the city, and everyone else who came by the booth!
Montreal Comic-Con - and Live Stage Reading - was amazing!
I got back from Montreal yesterday evening and am still catching up on emails and correspondence but wanted to post a quick update from this past weekend. The entire weekend was a success for us and it's our second consecutive great show in Montreal. Lots of new readers, lots of returning readers, and lots of new friends!What made this weekend memorable, though, was our very successful Live Stage Reading on Saturday night. Playing to a packed crowd of about 300 or so the Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company put on an amazing production of the Reading on Saturday night. The crowd laughed, they gasped, they thoroughly enjoyed it. Numerous people that night and the next day told us it was the highlight of the weekend for them.
I will be posting more photos in the next couple of days but here is an image from the show. The photo was taken by Chris Cater of Flux Fox Photography. And just wait until you see a video of he and I performing at our booth earlier in the day...
Images from FanExpo
It's been a really hectic week so I'm a little slow in posting these images... FanExpo last weekend was fantastic! It's always great to attend the large show in your hometown (third largest in North America) and great to meet up with friends, fans and everyone in between. This year's show was great - sales were brisk (came just short of our all-time sales record!), we sold out of both volumes, I hosted a well-attended workshop, and more people became exposed to Kill Shakespeare!A big thanks to Keith Morris, our marketing intern extraordinaire, Geoff Moore (always be selling), Samara Nicholson (head of transportation), Sherri Chantler (head of Sunday snacks), Carol Zara (for her gift bag), Ian Herring (for putting up with us sitting beside him...), and everyone else that helped out over the weekend. Thanks to the organizers of the event, namely Kevin Boyd, who creates such a great environment for artists and creators at the show. And thanks to everyone who came up to our table to say hello, get their books signed, purchased books, or generally made us smile through the weekend!(Conor has more photos and should be posting them soon...)
Quick glimpse from FanExpo
We'll post photos from the show this week but here's one of myself and Conor with super-fan Wayne, who created this dagger for us for the booth!
Snail Trail!
Last weekend, on Saturday August 18th, Toronto's oldest comic shop - The Silver Snail - moved house.Sorta.
The Snail has been on the cusp of moving for several months as their old digs on 367 Queen West has been sold to be developed as condos (surprise, surprise). But because of slower than expected rennovations at their new home-to-be at 329 Yonge (in Yonge and Dundas Square) the store hasn't been able to move.But that didn't stop the Snail's new owners Mark and George from organizing a very cool
event that saw hundred of volunteers line up, side by side, from the old locale to the new one. Then this human chain moved over a 100 boxes and props from the old store to Yonge and Dundas square.Sure, there wasn't anyplace to PUT these boxes as the workers were still hammering and sawing away BUT that didn't matter because the boxes were actually filled with goodies that were then raffled off to all the helpers.The whole thing was covered by several media outlets giving our comic-friends some great buzz as they prepare to expand the Snail's legacy.
Yours truly got to be a marshall, which basically means I had to carry boxes across intersections... 'cause if a volunteer gets run over that's a tragedy, if a red-head gets whacked that's a Louie CK bit.Hope you're all enjoying the Expo! See you in a couple of hours.Conor
Summertime Drawing
Last week I posted a photo of Conor and myself working with Soulpepper's Toby Malone and Derek Boyes as we gear up our Live Stage Reading for future dates. I figured I should show some other members of the KS team in action this summer. Here's a shot of Andy Belanger working away at his new studio in Montreal. As for what he's working on? I can't tell you anything about that - yet. Stay tuned for updates soon.
Is this photo posed? Well, I wouldn't put it past Andy to do something like that...
Summertime Scripting
It's a quiet time for us here in Toronto as we work on a number of Kill Shakespeare developments, of which we expect to make a number of big announcements in the upcoming month or two.
In the meantime, we took a quick photo of us working earlier today at the Young Centre (which houses Soulpepper Theatre) as Conor and I worked with dramaturge Toby Malone and director Derek Boyes on the script for our Kill Shakespeare Live Stage Reading (of which some announcements will take place in the coming weeks).
Happy birthday to *our* Joss Whedon, Conor McCreery!
On July 1st here in Canada we celebrate our nation's birthday, or Canada Day. But it's also a special day because today is co-creator Conor McCreery's birthday! Yes, fireworks are set off in the sky at night not just for our home and native land's fete but also Conor's!Two years ago I posted a photo comparison of Conor and Adam Savage from TV's Mythbusters. Of late Conor has also started to look a bit like the geek god Joss Whedon himself so I thought that I would repeat that Photoshop tribute with an updated one for the man himself. So here it is... Do you see any similarities?
Conor is currently in the midst of his honeymoon in South America but I'd like to take the time to wish my business partner, co-creator, co-conspirator and good friend Conor a smashing birthday!
Caption Contest!
Win a Kill Shakespeare t-shirt by submitting a caption for the photo below (of Anthony being playfully attacked by young fan Mason Chantler)! You can submit a caption here, by Tweeting to us, or on Facebook! A winner will be selected randomly later this week...
Congrats to Andy (and Becky)!
Last week I was able to post a couple photos from the wedding of my business partner and co-creator Conor, who was married last Saturday (May 26th) to Crystal Luxmore.This week I'm overjoyed the announce that our artist Andy Belanger is now engaged!
Andy proposed to his girlfriend, the equally talented comic book artist Becky Cloonan two weeks ago while they were spending time in Paris (how romantic!). Becky is a fantastic woman - incredibly talented and incredibly fun - and I'm so happy for the two of them! I look forward to seeing them work together (they have relocated to Montreal) and hang out with them for many, many years into the future!