William Tucci
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Billy Tucci is an illustrator, writer and filmmaker best known for his modern-day samurai fable Shi. Through Billy's Crusade Fine Arts, the multi-Eisner Award nominated Shi has been printed in four languages and has sold more than 4 million comic books. His warrior-woman has also grossed over 25 million dollars in prints, toys and other merchandise worldwide while garnering several international creative and printing awards.
Shi has been featured on FOX, NBC, and E! television while also gaining recognition in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today. The character has also crossed over with many comic book icons including Daredevil, Witchblade, Vampirella and Wolverine. For more than two years Shi: The Way of the Warrior #1 remained firmly atop Wizard Magazine's Top Ten Comics list, a record for any single issue that still stands to this day. Billy is also one of the few comic book creators recognized by Wizard on both their Top Ten Artists and Writers list.
Billy went "mainstream" in 2006 with his hugely successful run on Marvel Comics Heroes For Hire, DC's VS cards, the release of the massive 576 page Definitive Shi, the Illustrated Warrior novel and penning the critically acclaimed Zombie-sama! with illustrator John Broglia.
2007 marks Shi's 13th Anniversary with the release of Billy's newest miniseries The Ring of Fire. Shi will also cross over with Brian Pulido's super-creation in Lady Death/Shi through Avatar Press and with Peter David's Fallen Angel through IDW. Dark Horse Comics is also producing a 200-page hardbound Art of Shi coffee table book showcasing the very best talents in comics.
Billy is writing the screenplay of the Shi movie with Kevin Bernhardt and will serve as Executive Producer. He also wrote, produced and directed his own award-winnings short film, "Some Trouble of A Serious Nature," which has delighted festival audiences the world over.
The former paratrooper is also an honorably discharged veteran of the US Army, the New York and Rhode Island National Guards.
William (Billy) Tucci is currently working on several other major "mainstream" and creator-owned comic book projects to be announced soon.
