For the first time in its history Gemstone Publishing, the publisher of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, will publish graphic novels, beginning with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Anthony Del Col’s acclaimed series Kill Shakespeare. The publishing program begins on Free Comic Book Day, May 4, 2024, with the release of the first act of Romeo Vs. Juliet: A Kill Shakespeare Adventure. Del Col returns to the world of the Bard in this new story featuring the beloved star-crossed lovers which provides the ultimate twist. The story continues November 19, 2024 with the publication of the original graphic novel Romeo Vs. Juliet: A Kill Shakespeare Adventure written by Del Col, with art by Stefan Tosheff, letters by Becca Carey, and enveloped in a cover by acclaimed artist Richard Isanove. On September 24, 2024, Gemstone will publish Kill Shakespeare 1st Folio, a new compendium edition of the groundbreaking Kill Shakespeare series, collecting Volumes 1 and 2, by co-writers Del Col and Conor McCreery, artist Andy Belanger and colorist Ian Herring, then Kill Shakespeare 2nd Folio will follow next spring.
“Hamlet. Juliet. Othello. Lady Macbeth. These are some of the greatest characters ever created,” Del Col said. “I’m so excited to be back in the world of Kill Shakespeare where they – and many others – all co-exist (and sometimes battle, naturally) and to be working with Gemstone on this.” Del Col continued, “Our new story Romeo Vs. Juliet is a great entry point for everyone – a Shakespearean western in which Juliet Capulet has survived her ordeal with Romeo and has reinvented herself as an independent warrior-for-hire. In order to help protect a small nunnery and border town from her ex-lover, Juliet must reunite with old allies, including Hamlet, Othello, and Puck. And did I mention Juliet’s pregnant? And the father could be either Hamlet… or Romeo? What could be more Shakespearean than that?”
“As we enter into Gemstone’s 30th anniversary year, I’m grateful – and still a bit shocked – that we can launch our new publishing initiative with Kill Shakespeare,” Gemstone Publishing President J.C. Vaughn said. “This is an amazing series, one worthy of a wide audience.”
Kill Shakespeare originally launched as a series of award-winning comic books and has expanded to board games, an audio drama, and a live stage show. Launched by IDW Publishing in 2010, the comics were an immediate success, with the first issue receiving acclaim from NPR, The New York Times, and CBC. Combining amazing action sequences with a sprawling, emotional, adventure, Kill Shakespeare was nominated for a Harvey Award for Best New Comic Series and Joe Shuster Award for Best Comic Writing.
