Comic News: Kill Shakespeare

Creator-owned comic series re-imagines the Bard and his most famous characters

Launching in April 2010

IDW Publishing is pleased to announce a deal with Canadian-based creators Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col to publish their original comic book series, Kill Shakespeare. The twelve-issue series is a dark take on William Shakespeare and his work, pitting his greatest heroes against his most menacing villains in an epic adventure. Called “easily one of the more exciting new projects” at San Diego Comic Con by Publisher’s Weekly, Kill Shakespeare is destined to change the way readers think about the Bard.

True to the Shakespeare’s canon and also accessible to a wide range of readers, Kill Shakespeare offers an edgy interpretation of his most famous characters, bringing them together for an epic adventure. Beginning in April 2010, readers encounter a banished Hamlet, who embarks on a quest to resurrect his dead father. But to do so, he must kill a reclusive wizard named William Shakespeare.

“This is a really ingenious property,” said IDW Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall. “Conor and Anthony have created a great concept and we are excited to help them bring it to life.”

Creators Del Col and McCreery bring their love of Shakespeare, independent film, and a combination of marketing and writing experience to their first comic book project. Artist Andy Belanger rises to the challenge of interpreting some of the most famous characters in the world, and Kagan McLeod provides attention-getting covers for issue #1.

“We see this as cross between Fables, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Northlanders,” said Del Col. McCreery continued: “We’re excited about the possibility of bringing these characters – perhaps the greatest ever created - to life in a way that audiences have never seen them. We’ve called the series Kill Shakespeare because we’re going to change the way you look at these legendary heroes and villains forever.”

Kill Shakespeare #1 will be available in stores in April 2010.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. For more information about Kill Shakespeare, visit killshakespeare.com