Interview: Anthony Del Col Kills Shakespeare
Jul 29, 2024
Interview by Nicki Faust
In the following interview, writer Anthony Del Col gives you every reason to Kill Shakespeare.
Please tell us a bit about yourself!
I’m a Pulitzer Prize-winning Canadian writer of comics and podcasts. I’ve written everything from Luke Cage: Everyman (Marvel), The Death of Nancy Drew (Dynamite), Assassin’s Creed (Titan) and Kill Shakespeare (Gemstone). Over the last four years I’ve also written about two dozen digital non-fiction comics for Business Insider about “real-life superheroes” – survivors of migrant shipwrecks, modern-day internment camps and attacks by authoritarian regimes. Not only have these comics been read by millions and netted us some big awards, but they’ve allowed us to shine spotlights on people and places that are often overlooked in today’s news culture.
Other than that… in a previous life I was a manager for Grammy Award-winning musician Nelly Furtado – and once served as her hype man in front of 12,000 people.
What are your favorite projects you’ve contributed to over the past decade?
I get asked this question at every show I attend, but it’s kinda like choosing a favorite child, isn’t it?
My work with the “real-life superheroes” started with I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp (Lev Gleason). This created the template for our stories and helped generate more awareness of the genocide of the Uyghur people. I’m so proud of this.
When The Death of Nancy Drew (Dynamite) was announced in early 2020 it went viral and led to threats sent to myself and artist Joe Eisma. I think it’s a great noir tale that captures the tone of the genre perfectly.
I’d be remiss to mention Assassin’s Creed: Trial by Fire (Titan). I’ve done four AC books (as well as the audio series with Audible) and this was the very beginning of the incredible adventure.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently putting the finishing touches on my upcoming graphic novel ROMEO VS. JULIET, which is a reboot/continuation of my KILL SHAKESPEARE series. It’s a Shakespearean Western (the “Magnificent Shakespeare Seven”!) where I play with / subvert the tropes of the genre as well as the greatest characters ever created. I’ve got some other cool stuff cooking (currently scripting an audio thriller for BBC) that I’m excited to share with readers and fans!
What fun titles are you reading?
Man’s Best (Boom) was first pitched to me as “Homeward Bound on an alien world” and I immediately knew I would love the series. Great writing, art and heart.
Little Black Book (AWA) really captures the vibe of classic Coen Brothers stories in the comic format. I’ve known writer Jeff McComsey as an artist for years but I’ve loved seeing him blossom as a writer with the stuff he’s done with AWA.
Richard Starkings is a legend in the industry and I’m really enjoying his Ask for Mercy series (Dark Horse / ComiXology). It’s a good ol’ fashioned monster hunting story with some great art by 2024 Eisner-nominee Jill Abigail Harding.
Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram for more from ANthony Del Col.
Preview Material
Rating: Teen
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Nicki Faust's heart is as cold as concrete in the Chicago winter. When not writing for PREVIEWSworld, Nicki is busy playing Limbo on Twitch, writing about the great robot uprising on Medium, and completing the untitled follow-up to the 2012 best-seller, Sue Storm: A Nude Photobook.
