Catch our stage show in Tucson on Saturday!
I posted about our upcoming stage show in Tucson just over a week ago but I wanted to post a reminder. Check out the US workshop debut of our Live Stage Reading this Saturday at Cafe Bohemia, part of the Arizona Theatre Company, this Saturday evening at 8pm! Details below in the poster for the event.I am also doing a signing at Tucson's Heroes and Villains the night before - this Friday (the 7th) from 5-7pm!
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...)
A fan has fun going through Kill Shakespeare in this video
Shea, a voracious comic book reader, has done a number of extensive reviews of books over the last few years. She recently stepped up and did a full review (and full synopsis of Kill Shakespeare) on her website video section, Spoilerific!.SPOILER ALERT! Shea goes through the entire comic book story here so if you haven't read it, perhaps you shouldn't go through all of it with her.Overall she does like our series. She makes a number of funny remarks - and doesn't like every element about the series - but I did enjoy her enthusiasm about it. There are a few mis-interpretations but she does raise a couple really good questions about specific elements. I found it quite enjoyable.(And her friends that did cameos are also pretty fun.)Here's the video:
Signing at Tucson's HEROES AND VILLAINS next Friday!
While Conor heads to Decatur today to take part in this weekend's Decatur Book Festival, I am prepping for what should be an amazing experience next weekend. As already posted about, I am taking part in the Arizona Theatre Company's Cafe Bohemia performance of our Kill Shakespeare: Live Stage Reading show. The details for the performance are here (and below).The day before the show I will be appearing at Tucson's #1 comic book shop (as judged by the Tucson Weekly), Heroes and Villains, to do a signing. I'm quite excited about this - I've heard great things about the store and look forward to checking it out.
I'll be at the store from 5 - 7pm next Friday (the 7th of September) so if you're in the city/neighbourhood come and check it out!And don't forget our show on Saturday the 8th at 8pm at Cafe Bohemia!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTHONY!
Today, some thirty years ago more or less (well more, but whose REALLY counting?), Anthony Del Col came onto the scene.Please join me in wishing him a wonderfully happy birthday and here's hoping he survivies yet ANOTHER death defying stunt on his big day. The stout-hearted man has taken on sky-diving, bungie cord jumping, working with me, and now he's set to take on another daredevil adventure -- walking the EDGE of the CN TOWER!For a look at what Anthony is going to face watch a few minutes of this video -- I can't wait for the photo of Anthony sitting in thin air.Anthony, you're a great partner, but more importantly than that you bring joy to every room you walk into and a smile to every face.Have a great one - and here is a little birthday song for you!
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
K.S. Friends, "Bad Kids Go To Hell", Bring Their Film To FanExpo
Going to conventions as much as we do you get the great opportunity to meet other creative entrepreneurs, and one of the real pleasures of the job is being able to share their work with your own fans and supporters.
So without further ado...One of the most interesting events that should be on top of your "things to do at FanExpo", is the Bad Kids Go To Hell screening.Based on the bestselling Bad Kids Go To Hell graphic novel, which is kinda a 'John Hughes meets Halloween' idea, the film is going to premiere at the FanExpo on Saturday night.You can meet Matt and "Bazza" the two creators of the book and film at Booth #802 (they are special guests of the Silver Snail) and see the film at 6:30 PM in room 715. Check the boys' newsletter for a special "Detention Slip" that can get you into the film.
Matt and Barry (Baz's REAL name) are great guys that we met when we first started promoting Kill Shakespeare - their comic-to-screen journey is one we're working hard to emulate - so for any of our fans who also loves a good old-fashioned 80's style sex and scare story you should make a point of checking out the Bad Kids journey.For a better taste - here is the trailer:
The KS Live Stage Reading plays in Tucson next month!
We are proud to announce that our Kill Shakespeare: Live Stage Reading is playing next month in Tucson, AZ. The Arizona Theatre Company on Saturday, September 8th will be putting on our show as part of their Cafe Bohemia series. The show will be at 8pm and tickets go for $5. I will be in attendance at the show and am looking forward to checking it out!
This will be our first opportunity to put on the show in the U.S. (more dates to be announced) and it will also serve as a workshop reading on our revised script. I'm interested in seeing what the reaction will be.I'm also looking to set up a signing or two at a local comic shop whilst in the city so more details will be announced.I'm also looking forward to working with the team at ATC - associate artistic director Stephen Wrentmore, marketing guru Jennifer Spencer, manger Robyn Lambert, as well as local dramturg Carrie Cole. And a BIG thanks to Toby Malone for being the first person to mention our show to ATC - Toby is the best!
FanExpo Schedule
In the last eighteen months we have traveled to comic conventions all over the world - all over North America, to England, and even to the Middle East. Most shows we love attending, and one of our favourites is definitely FanExpo Canada, held at the end of August every year. Probably the major reason that we love it is that it's the biggest convention in our hometown and it's great to see SO many people turn out to geek out on everything that makes its way here - comics, films, games, etc.
We will, of course, be attending next week's FanExpo Canada (Aug 23 - 26) and are looking forward to it (it's now been two months since the last show I attended and I'm starting to get the shakes from not pitching our books/shirts at a show...). We will be in attendance the entire weekend during the show. The hours are:Thur 4 - 9, Fri 10 - 7, Sat 10 - 7, Sun 10 - 5We (Conor and I) will be located at Tables P-04 and P-05 the entire weekend - in the row along the wall of all comic creators. Andy is scheduled to attend but has not been able to confirm as of yet.Also looking for out workshop on Thur, Aug 23 from 6 - 7pm in Room 714. We will be conducting our very popular "How to Create and Market Your Indie Comic" which was a standing-room only session last year (and at shows like Emerald City and C2E2 earlier this year) so if you can get to the show on the first day come and learn tips of the trade from us!We hope to see you at this year's show!
Sneak peek at Fall Convention Schedule
It seems like our long spring convention tour just ended and we're already planning for a busy fall season already! Though the summer has been great with a lot of work (and lots still to do!) I'm looking forward to hitting the road again to visit more conventions and shows to generate more interest in Kill Shakespeare - and to make some big announcements!
Some of the comic conventions that we will be attending this fall will include (please note that this list is not complete and will be added onto in the coming weeks):Aug 23-27 - FanExpo Canada - TorontoAug 31 - Sept 2 - Decatur Book Festival - Decatur, GASept 8 - 9 - Baltimore Comic-Con - Baltimore, MDSept 14-16 - Montreal Comic-Con - Montreal, QCSept 23 - Word on the Street (Toronto) - Toronto, ONOct 11 - 14 - New York Comic-Con - New York, NYOct 25 - Book Fest Windsor - Windsor, ONOct 26 - 28 - Hal-Con 2012 - Halifax, NSWe look forward to seeing you at these and other shows/events (that have not been announced yet)!
Live Stage Reading at Montreal Comic-Con!
Just announced yesterday, KILL SHAKESPEARE: THE LIVE STAGE READING will be performed at this year's Montreal Comic-Con next month (Sept 14-16)!
Performed in conjunction with the Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company, the show will be a re-tooled version of the show that debuted last November with Soulpepper Theatre Company and feature the visuals (illustrated by Andy Belanger) from the comic series while the actors read out the dialogue, create sound effects and music live on stage. We've been working closely with original director Derek Boyes and dramaturge Toby Malone to make some revisions to the production that will make it even better. Its two performances last year were fantastic and we're excited about putting it on for another great audience.
The official press release from the Montreal Comic-Con can be read here.
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).
Congrats to our Eisner-winning friends!
This past weekend at the San Diego International Comic-Con a number of our close friends were able to take away some hardware at the 24th annual Eisner Awards. We always joke about the Canadian infiltration of the comics industry but this year proved that to be case!First off, congrats to Ramon Perez for winning two Eisners for his great Jim Henson's Tale of Sand book. For those that don't know Ramon is/was a studio-mate of Andy's and the two have worked together for a number of years. And a big congrats to Darwyn Cooke for his work on Parker: Martini Edition. Darwyn has served as a mentor for all of us (and was great enough to write a forward for us in our first volume).
And the biggest congrats to Jennifer and Robert from The Dragon in Guelph, Ontario, which won the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award! The Dragon has been great to us (despite our boos....) and we're really happy for their success.Congrats to all!
Andy will be at Comic-Con this week!
This year's version of Comic-Con starts this week (from Wednesday night - Sunday evening), the world's largest pop culture convention. It's the mecca for all things geek and cool these days and the convention centre in San Diego will be filled to the brim with the latest in film, comics, television, video games, anime, manga and anything else you can think of.
Conor and I will not be attending this year (we've done pretty much every other convention possible thus far - and will hit all of the major ones in the fall) as we'll be busy hitting some deadlines for scripts (more details to be announced in the coming months...).However, artist Andy Belanger will be at the show the entire weekend so if you'd like to meet up with him and get him sign a copy of Kill Shakespeare, check out his new series Black Church, or just find out what he's really like (he's as fun as the Pillsbury Cookie Dough guy...) you can find him at the following spots:
Table #1320 - He will be there every day at this spot;
IDW Booth #2643 - Friday morning from 10am - 11am
To pick up copies of Kill Shakespeare at the show Andy will have some copies on him but you will also be able to pick up copies at the IDW booth (they will have both Volumes for sale).And colourist Ian Herring, who is nominated this year for an Eisner Award, will also be attending the show so you may be able to see him while you're there.I highly recommend that you check out the IDW booth while you're there - they've got some great new Con Exclusive releases (including Darwyn Cooke's next Parker book) and you'll have the chance to check out new series like Smoke & Mirrors (I highly recommend it).
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!
Anthony Interviewed at ALA
Here is an interview that I did with the fun Kat Kan for the American Library Association while in Anaheim this past weekend... I talk about Kill Shakespeare, the genesis of the project, and thoughts on libraries (and having KS in libraries)...(I hope that sound of the baby crying/laughing in the background isn't too distracting for you...)
Anthony at ALA 2012
I arrived yesterday in Los Angeles after a five-hour delay. I boarded my first plane but before it could take off the pilot discovered a small malfunction and we had to switch to another plane. The same thing happened with the second plane. It wasn't until the third one that we were finally able to get into the air...
I've got one day here in LA and then head to Anaheim tomorrow to attend the American Library Association Annual Conference 2012! It's the annual conference that features about 20,000 of the top librarians from the continent and I will be there to sell and promote Kill Shakespeare. I'll be at Table 577 if you're at the show - come by and say hello!As well, I will be presenting a presentation "How a Team of Canadians are Trying to Kill Shakespeare" on Saturday from 2pm - 3pm on the Graphic Novel Stage and then "Twists on the Tale: Reinventing Classics in Comics" on Saturday from 4:30 - 5:00 with fellow panelists Nathan Hale (Rapunzel's Revenge) and Christina Strain (The Fox Sister), moderated by the amazing Robin Brenner.If you're attending the ALA (#ALA12) please swing by my table - I'd love to meet you and tell you about the exciting things that are happening in the Kill Shakespeare world!
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...
