William Tucci

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William "Billy" Tucci
Billy Tucci at a convention
Birth name	William Tucci
Born
Area(s)	Writer, Penciller
Notable works	Shi

William (Billy) Tucci is an illustrator, writer and filmmaker best known for his modern-day samurai fable Shi. The multi-Eisner Award nominated Shi comic book has been printed in four languages and has sold more than 4 million comic books.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

1 Career
2 Personal life
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Career

His small publishing company, Crusade Comics, has become a reference point in the small press world,^{[citation needed]} publishing both his personal projects, as well as work from other up and coming creators. Several comic characters, including Top Cow’s Witchblade and David Mack’s Kabuki, actually debuted in Shi.

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 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 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.

In 2007, on Shi's 13th anniversary, Tucci's newest miniseries The Ring of Fire was released. Shi also had a 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 several artists' take on the character. More projects include a full color Zombie-sama! TPB with John Broglia and Definitive Shi Vol. 2.

Billy is writing the screenplay of the Shi movie with Kevin Bernhardt and will serve as executive producer. Tia Carrere will play the titular role of Shi.^[1] He also wrote, produced and directed his own award-winning short film, some trouble of a SeRRious nature.

Currently Billy is doing a DC-miniseries on Sgt. Rock, due out in 2008. Billy has travelled to Normandy and Vosges, participated in re-enactment plays to fully research this project.