With Free Comic Book Day right around the corner, publishers, retailers, and creators are gearing up for one of the year’s biggest events. And this FCBD, Gemstone Publishing is bringing back a classic: Kill Shakespeare, the acclaimed series written by Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Del Col.
Announced on National Shakespeare Day, Romeo Vs. Juliet: A Kill Shakespeare Adventure twists the tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers into something even more intense.
“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,” Del Col said in the announcement. “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?”
The first act will hit stores on Free Comic Book Day with a special cover, then continue in November with the publication of the full graphic novel. In addition to a script by Del Col, Romeo Vs. Juliet is illustrated by Stefan Tosheff and lettered by Becca Carey. See the FCBD cover and graphic novel cover below.
Romeo Vs. Juliet marks the latest series in Del Col’s Kill Shakespeare legacy, but to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Gemstone Publishing is also releasing Kill Shakespeare 1st Folio on September 24. This compendium edition collects Volumes 1 and 2 co-written by Del Col and Conor McCreery, drawn by Andy Belanger, and colored by Ian Herring. Kill Shakespeare 2nd Folio will follow in spring 2025.
“Hamlet. Juliet. Othello. Lady Macbeth. These are some of the greatest characters ever created,” said Del Col. “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.”
Gemstone Publishing president J.C. Vaughn said, “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. This is an amazing series, one worthy of a wide audience.”
Check out the cover art for Kill Shakespeare 1st Folio and a preview below.
Since Kill Shakespeare was originally published by IDW in 2010, it has since been expanded into board games, an audio drama, and even a live stage show. The series was nominated for a Harvey Award and a Joe Shuster Award.
If you’re looking to meet Del Col or Romeo Vs. Juliet artist Stefan Tosheff, they will be doing creator signings for Free Comic Book Day on May 4. Del Col will be at Forbidden Planet in New York, NY, and Tosheff will be at Golden Age Collectibles and Lucky’s Comics in Vancouver. For details, get in touch with these stores individually.
